This article is about expression in music performance. For the unit of musical metre, see Phrase (music theory).
Musical phrasing is the method by which a musician shapes a sequence of notes in a passage of music to allow expression, much like when speaking English a phrase may be written identically but may be spoken differently, and is named for the interpretation of small units of time known as phrases (half of a period). A musician accomplishes this by interpreting the music—from memory or sheet music—by altering tone, tempo, dynamics, articulation, inflection, and other characteristics. Phrasing can emphasise a concept in the music or a message in the lyrics, or it can digress from the composer's intention, aspects of which are commonly indicated in musical notation called phrase marks or phrase markings. For example, accelerating the tempo or prolonging a note may add tension.
Bar-line shift's effect on metric accent: first two lines vs. second two lines[1]Playⓘ or play with percussion marking the measuresⓘ.Period (two five-bar phrases) in Haydn's Feldpartita. Playⓘ The second phrase is distinguished by an authentic cadence answering the half cadence at the end of the first phrase.[2] Note the use of slurs by the composer to indicate the intended phrasing.
A phrase is a substantial musical thought, which ends with a musical punctuation called a cadence. Phrases are created in music through an interaction of melody, harmony, and rhythm.[3]
The bow can express the affections of the soul: but besides there being no signs that indicate them, such signs, even were one to invent them, would become so numerous that the music, already too full of indications, would become a formless mass to the eyes, almost impossible to decipher. I should consider myself fortunate if I could only get a student to hear, through a small number of examples, the difference between bad and mediocre, mediocre and good, and good and excellent, in the diversity of expressions that one may give to the same passage.[4]
— "Nouvelle Méthode théorique et pratique pour le violon". Paris, Naderman (c. 1803)
"There are two schools of thought on phrasing," says flutist Nancy Toff: "one more intuitive, the other more analytical. The intuitive school uses a verbal model, equating the function of phrasing with that of punctuation in language. Thus, said Chopin to a student, 'He who phrases incorrectly is like a man who does not understand the language he speaks.'"[5]
Problems linked with an analytical approach to phrasing occur particularly when the analytical approach is based only on the search for objective information, or (as is often the case) only concerned with the score:
The reliance on the score for information about temporal structures reflects a more profound analytical difficulty. Structural information gleaned from the score is visually apprehended and as such is predisposed to visualist models of structure. These models are premised on symmetry and balance and on a timeless notion of "objective" structure. [...] Temporal and aurally-apprehended structures are denied reality because they cannot be said to "exist" in the way that spatial and visually apprehended structures do. [...] Musical investigations exhibit the Western prejudice toward visualism in the dependence on visual symmetry and balance. Information about structure from listening experience is suspect because it is considered "subjective" and is opposed to "objective" information from the score.
According to Andranik Tangian,[7] analytical phrasing can be quite subjective, the only point is that it should follow a certain logic. For example, Webern’s Klangfarbenmelodie-styled orchestral arrangement of Ricercar from Bach’s Musical offering demonstrates Webern’s analytical phrasing of the theme, which is quite subjective on the one hand but, on the other hand, logically consistent:
The first note of the countersubject (C) is deliberately detached from the theme, as shown by the change from brass to strings. Previous notes are grouped as if they were suspensions with resolutions. It follows that the theme may be considered to end only at the B natural in bar 6, at the F natural in bar 7, or at D natural in bar 8; this in turn implies the theme is interpreted as modulating into the tonality of the dominant, and moreover that in accordance with the rules of polyphony it may end only with the B natural — the mediant — rather than with the 5th or the 7th (D natural or F natural). The notes which follow the B natural may therefore be considered as not attributed to the theme but as a codetta (quite unevident interpretation!). Thus Webern's interpretation implies two contrasting episodes distinguished within the theme: the first phrase (trombone) and the descending chromatic succession. The latter is itself segmental, this being articulated by changes of instrumentation and further subtleties such as the addition of a harp harmonic.
We conclude:
1. Interpretation is based on the understanding of musical form, being close to music analysis. This analysis is creative, subjective and even ambiguous, being close to composition. On the contrary, the unambiguous analysis, which reflexes evident facts only, is trivial and non-creative. Therefore, there are no "true" interpretation of a piece.
2. Interpretation presupposes finding a structure, which organizes notes into a meaningful composition. Different interpretations are associated with different structures. Structuralization is based on segmentation.
3. Interpretations in form of orchestral arrangements (instruments can be conditional) provide both the structure and indicate the way of execution. lt displays the interpretation of music in a more comprehensive way than precise performance instructions. At the same time it is better adapted for reading and editing. A trained piano player can 'implement' these interpretations in playing by appropriate means of execution.
— Andranik Tangian (1999) "Towards a generative theory of interpretation for performance modeling", Musicae Scientiae, 3(2), pp. 242-243
Departing from Webern’s example, Tangian proposes not only phrasing/interpretation notation but also a model of performance, where the segments are selected both intuitively and analytically and are shown by tempo envelopes, dynamics and specific instrumental techniques.
Elision or reinterpretationedit
In the analysis of 18th- and 19th-century Western music, an elision, overlap, or rather reinterpretation (Umdeutung), is the perception, after the fact, of a (metrically weak) cadentialchord at the end of one phrase as the (metrically strong) initial chord of the next phrase. Two phrases may overlap, making the beginning and ending of both happen at the same moment in time, or both phrases and hypermeasures may overlap, making the last bar in the first hypermeasure and the first in the second. Charles Burkhart uses overlap and reinterpretation to distinguish between the overlap of phrases and of both phrase and measure-group, respectively.[8][9]
^Newman, William S. (1995). Beethoven on Beethoven: Playing His Piano Music His Way, p.170-71. ISBN0-393-30719-0.
^White, John D. (1976). The Analysis of Music, p. 44. ISBN0-13-033233-X.
^Benward, Bruce & Saker, Marilyn (2003). Music: In Theory and Practice, Vol. I, p.89. Seventh Edition. McGraw-Hill. ISBN978-0-07-294262-0.
^"Nouvelle Méthode théorique et pratique pour le violon" by Giuseppe Cambini (ref)
^Toff, Nancy (1996). The Flute Book: A Complete Guide for Students and Performers (Second ed.). p. 150. ISBN978-0-19-510502-5.
^Smith, F. Joseph (1989). Understanding the Musical Experience, p.121-124. ISBN978-2-88124-204-5.
^Tangian, Andranik (1999). "Towards a generative theory of interpretation for performance modeling". Musicae Scientiae. 3 (2): 237–267. doi:10.1177/102986499900300205.
^Stein, Deborah (2005). Engaging Music: Essays in Music Analysis, p.328, 330. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN0-19-517010-5.
^Burkhart, Charles. "The Phrase Rhythm of Chopin's A-flat Major Mazurka, Op. 59, No. 2", p.10, 11n14. Cited in Stein (2005).
Further readingedit
Liebling, Emil, ed. (1908). "Phrasing". The American History and Encyclopedia of Music. Vol. 1. New York: Irving Squire. pp. 267–82.
Curry, Samuel Silas. "Phrasing". Lessons in Vocal Expression, Course I: Processes of Thinking in the Modulation of Voice. Boston: The Expression Company. pp. 73–80.
External linksedit
Quotations related to Musical phrasing at Wikiquote
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Musical phrasing.
February 16, 2024
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This article is about expression in music performance For the unit of musical metre see Phrase music theory Musical phrasing is the method by which a musician shapes a sequence of notes in a passage of music to allow expression much like when speaking English a phrase may be written identically but may be spoken differently and is named for the interpretation of small units of time known as phrases half of a period A musician accomplishes this by interpreting the music from memory or sheet music by altering tone tempo dynamics articulation inflection and other characteristics Phrasing can emphasise a concept in the music or a message in the lyrics or it can digress from the composer s intention aspects of which are commonly indicated in musical notation called phrase marks or phrase markings For example accelerating the tempo or prolonging a note may add tension Bar line shift s effect on metric accent first two lines vs second two lines 1 Play or play with percussion marking the measures Period two five bar phrases in Haydn s Feldpartita Play The second phrase is distinguished by an authentic cadence answering the half cadence at the end of the first phrase 2 Note the use of slurs by the composer to indicate the intended phrasing A phrase is a substantial musical thought which ends with a musical punctuation called a cadence Phrases are created in music through an interaction of melody harmony and rhythm 3 Giuseppe Cambini a composer violinist and music teacher of the Classical period had this to say about bowed string instruments specifically violin phrasing The bow can express the affections of the soul but besides there being no signs that indicate them such signs even were one to invent them would become so numerous that the music already too full of indications would become a formless mass to the eyes almost impossible to decipher I should consider myself fortunate if I could only get a student to hear through a small number of examples the difference between bad and mediocre mediocre and good and good and excellent in the diversity of expressions that one may give to the same passage 4 Nouvelle Methode theorique et pratique pour le violon Paris Naderman c 1803 Contents 1 Intuitive and analytical phrasing 2 Elision or reinterpretation 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External linksIntuitive and analytical phrasing edit There are two schools of thought on phrasing says flutist Nancy Toff one more intuitive the other more analytical The intuitive school uses a verbal model equating the function of phrasing with that of punctuation in language Thus said Chopin to a student He who phrases incorrectly is like a man who does not understand the language he speaks 5 Problems linked with an analytical approach to phrasing occur particularly when the analytical approach is based only on the search for objective information or as is often the case only concerned with the score The reliance on the score for information about temporal structures reflects a more profound analytical difficulty Structural information gleaned from the score is visually apprehended and as such is predisposed to visualist models of structure These models are premised on symmetry and balance and on a timeless notion of objective structure Temporal and aurally apprehended structures are denied reality because they cannot be said to exist in the way that spatial and visually apprehended structures do Musical investigations exhibit the Western prejudice toward visualism in the dependence on visual symmetry and balance Information about structure from listening experience is suspect because it is considered subjective and is opposed to objective information from the score F Joseph Smith 6 According to Andranik Tangian 7 analytical phrasing can be quite subjective the only point is that it should follow a certain logic For example Webern s Klangfarbenmelodie styled orchestral arrangement of Ricercar from Bach s Musical offering demonstrates Webern s analytical phrasing of the theme which is quite subjective on the one hand but on the other hand logically consistent The first note of the countersubject C is deliberately detached from the theme as shown by the change from brass to strings Previous notes are grouped as if they were suspensions with resolutions It follows that the theme may be considered to end only at the B natural in bar 6 at the F natural in bar 7 or at D natural in bar 8 this in turn implies the theme is interpreted as modulating into the tonality of the dominant and moreover that in accordance with the rules of polyphony it may end only with the B natural the mediant rather than with the 5th or the 7th D natural or F natural The notes which follow the B natural may therefore be considered as not attributed to the theme but as a codetta quite unevident interpretation Thus Webern s interpretation implies two contrasting episodes distinguished within the theme the first phrase trombone and the descending chromatic succession The latter is itself segmental this being articulated by changes of instrumentation and further subtleties such as the addition of a harp harmonic We conclude 1 Interpretation is based on the understanding of musical form being close to music analysis This analysis is creative subjective and even ambiguous being close to composition On the contrary the unambiguous analysis which reflexes evident facts only is trivial and non creative Therefore there are no true interpretation of a piece 2 Interpretation presupposes finding a structure which organizes notes into a meaningful composition Different interpretations are associated with different structures Structuralization is based on segmentation 3 Interpretations in form of orchestral arrangements instruments can be conditional provide both the structure and indicate the way of execution lt displays the interpretation of music in a more comprehensive way than precise performance instructions At the same time it is better adapted for reading and editing A trained piano player can implement these interpretations in playing by appropriate means of execution Andranik Tangian 1999 Towards a generative theory of interpretation for performance modeling Musicae Scientiae 3 2 pp 242 243 Departing from Webern s example Tangian proposes not only phrasing interpretation notation but also a model of performance where the segments are selected both intuitively and analytically and are shown by tempo envelopes dynamics and specific instrumental techniques Elision or reinterpretation editIn the analysis of 18th and 19th century Western music an elision overlap or rather reinterpretation Umdeutung is the perception after the fact of a metrically weak cadential chord at the end of one phrase as the metrically strong initial chord of the next phrase Two phrases may overlap making the beginning and ending of both happen at the same moment in time or both phrases and hypermeasures may overlap making the last bar in the first hypermeasure and the first in the second Charles Burkhart uses overlap and reinterpretation to distinguish between the overlap of phrases and of both phrase and measure group respectively 8 9 See also editMusical technique Tempo rubatoReferences edit Newman William S 1995 Beethoven on Beethoven Playing His Piano Music His Way p 170 71 ISBN 0 393 30719 0 White John D 1976 The Analysis of Music p 44 ISBN 0 13 033233 X Benward Bruce amp Saker Marilyn 2003 Music In Theory and Practice Vol I p 89 Seventh Edition McGraw Hill ISBN 978 0 07 294262 0 Nouvelle Methode theorique et pratique pour le violon by Giuseppe Cambini ref Toff Nancy 1996 The Flute Book A Complete Guide for Students and Performers Second ed p 150 ISBN 978 0 19 510502 5 Smith F Joseph 1989 Understanding the Musical Experience p 121 124 ISBN 978 2 88124 204 5 Tangian Andranik 1999 Towards a generative theory of interpretation for performance modeling Musicae Scientiae 3 2 237 267 doi 10 1177 102986499900300205 Stein Deborah 2005 Engaging Music Essays in Music Analysis p 328 330 New York Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 517010 5 Burkhart Charles The Phrase Rhythm of Chopin s A flat Major Mazurka Op 59 No 2 p 10 11n14 Cited in Stein 2005 Further reading editLiebling Emil ed 1908 Phrasing The American History and Encyclopedia of Music Vol 1 New York Irving Squire pp 267 82 The Art of Phrasing Dwight s Journal of Music Boston 37 21 19 January 1878 Curry Samuel Silas Phrasing Lessons in Vocal Expression Course I Processes of Thinking in the Modulation of Voice Boston The Expression Company pp 73 80 External links edit nbsp Quotations related to Musical phrasing at Wikiquote nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Musical phrasing Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Musical phrasing amp oldid 1098075722, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
