The Most Important Aspect of Music (Hint: It’s Not Pitch)

[eugenelevin]

What if I recognized the 5th immediately but can’t hear “Mary had a little lamb” even after you revealed what you’re playing?

[Shooshie]

Very cool, Robert! I love that you grab a topic seemingly out of thin air, but obviously one you’ve been thinking about for a while, and just record a video about it. You’ve got a classic collection of such videos now.

Personally, I think the essential element of music is “the line.” I’m not even sure that’s a real term, but it’s how I describe everything in a song or larger work from start to finish, in sequence, in time, including the expression. In fact, the expression is possibly the most essential part of the line! Music is expressed from the entire body; it’s a very physical thing, and yet it can be so subtle that students looking for it may miss it — even as it does its job perfectly. I like performances in which the line is never broken. When the intent of the line is so clear that even sneezes and coughs can’t break it. How do you put that into words? It’s the very core of music. It’s why we listen. Everything else — pitch, rhythm, time, improvisation, expression — is subservient to The Line. You start the piece with a clear idea of where you’re going. Then things happen, or they occur to you, and you change it up, but you never let it flag. Never drop it, always keep the listener’s attention focused on this moving line. Bach did it. We do it. It’s what gives the listener their money’s worth.

[cisium]

Add me to the group of people who recognized Beethoven's Fifth but did not recognize Mary Had A Little Lamb. I still agree that rhythm is the most important element though - maybe Happy Birthday would have illustrated it better?

[dianelefever]

very interesting and clearly explained. Thank you!

[longhair-dontcare]

I appreciate you, Robert. You might think I'm strange, but I like working on pianos as much as playing them. I replaced the treble strings, pins, and bushings on my baby grand, and most people thought I was crazy. I learned a lot, and I tune my own piano as well. Someday I'd like to refinish one in pearl white metallic. Never seen that. Time to practice.

[BillDeef]

Been watching your videos for a while. They’re all fascinating and I’m a violin student. This is one of the best. Has anyone ever played the game with friends of tapping out the rhythm of a piece and guessing what it is. Amazing revelations!

[southpark]

An important aspect of music is the combination of features - including rhythm, pitch, timbre, control of the sound, the sequence of notes, the combination of particular notes etc -- a combination of things.

[livejay]

This is spot on for someone who either has been "drilled with drills" from a young age, to someone trying to learn the basics of playing. Excellent illustration!

[swilkobarfingtoniii]

Robert- thank you for this primer on the importance of rhythm, but allow me to introduce an even more vital component of performance. I would hold aside modernist and post modern arrangements, and confine to 'German harmony.'

A player can practice a lifetime and adhere to the tempo and cadence indicated on the score. But what makes a player unique, what makes them GREAT is the "emotional content" they impart to the audience. I often consider what is "playing for the composer" and "playing for the people." Of course, rhythm is crucial to the integrity of the piece, but when a player breaks out of that box a bit, it can provide the most thrilling experience for the audience... and certainly for the performer. Those are the transformative experiences we should strive for.

I should add here that I very much appreciated your recent recording of the Scriabin. I am most familiar with his piano pieces through your father's excellent recordings. (For anyone else reading this I would recommend Morton Estrin's recordings of the Scriabin!)

[davidleyland]

Yet another fascinating video. Keep them coming. Thank you

[gspianoguitar]

Rhythm = glue. No glue - everything will fall apart

[deericcio]

To me rhythm is the soul, it’s the part of music that makes you move in your seat, makes you smile inside when you get it right,

[billligon]

Just learning Shostakovich Fugue No 7 which has no Dissonance - to my amazement it's the only piano piece that I have ever played where you can actually hold down sustain pedal for the whole piece (LOL).

[jamenta]

Very fascinating. I had no idea what the most important aspect would be before I watched you video. Thanks!

[davinchaffin]

I've been asking myself this question lately and I think your ideas are pretty convincing!

[richardlehoux]

I did not recognize the little lamb song but I recognize the fifth. Hummm… it would be easy to make a scientific study to answer the question. I personally think that both are indissociable

[cabotcat]

A topic I would never have thought of. I learned alot, Robert! Thank you 👍

[thepianoplayer]

Beethoven #5 came up right away because it was used as an example in another video. Anybody who watches LivingPianos videos regularly would know the answer (no brainer).

[wbiro]

Let me guess first: if it is serious art, then the most important aspect is intellect (which leads emotions); if it is popular art, then the most important aspect is sex...