A Guide To Rubato - Manipulating Time Effectively in Music

In this episode, we discuss a highly subjective and controversial subject - the concept of rubato. In simplified terms, rubato can be thought of as the pushing and pulling of time in music to enhance the beauty of what you're playing. We discuss various amounts of rubato, certain pianists that use more or less rubato, and how rubato should vary between musical eras, such as the different amounts used in the baroque, classical, and romantic eras.

[israellopez-lazaro]

The piece is Waltz in A Minor (posth.) in case anyone was wondering.

[joshwrightpiano]

This is a common question I receive from students, and a highly subjective topic among teachers. I hope this gets you off to a good start at finding your own voice with rubato! Good luck in your practice sessions

[petersnell]

Rubato is one of the best ways of using sound to express what one feels within when they play the piano, not least when one is playing a piece from the romantic period. Practically, there can never be a set rule as to how it should be done - it's more or less about how there can never be a rule to cover how everyone or every pianist must feel. Remember, it shouldn't be any mathematical analysis but, invariably, an artistic decision - as mentioned in the video. Thanks Josh!! Just want to let you know your videos have been of immense help to a Sierra Leonean pianist who's been following you from Sierra Leone.

[LiliVG]

Using rubato in playing romantic music has a mysterious and almost elusive quality. One can get carried away and afterwards think, whoops that was too much. Obviously, this is me the amateur pianist saying this. I have listened to a lot of recordings, including some by the French pianist, Samson Francois, who played Chopin beautifully at his best. I have also listened to great teachers explain how to use it. The concept, for me, is broken down, in words and demonstration at the keyboard, by Josh. His approach is as easy as it’s ever going to get to the world of student pianists and even some concert level students. Thank you Josh, listening to you, it seems to me that you have learned from a lot of teachers and distilled the essence of rubato.

[matheusalves]

Sometimes I wish you did lives on YouTube. I always feel like I want some more after the end of your videos. I’m an absolute beginner but get a lot of knowledge from your videos. I’m just glad you’re around to share some piano love with us. God bless.

[georgeclayton]

This video popped up in my feed and it’s perfect because i’m working on Clair de Lune and i’m overwhelmed by how many renditions are out there!

[PinaCoco]

I have also noticed a lot of people steer into two different sides of loving or hating rubato.
I do agree there are some pieces which should be played evenly.

[southpark]

1:32 ---- Two years later I totally agree with you about that. That can definitely happen - not making up that time. But it is absolutely workable under the appropriate 'context'. That does work indeed. You really have an excellent understanding about that! Totally agree with your comment about 'subjective'. When applied appropriately and in good style -- intelligently etc --- rubato certainly improves the feel or liveliness of certain kinds of music. Such an excellent video. Nice one Josh.

[cristianpiano]

Perfect timing to be watching this video. Will finally delve deeply into different styles of rubato. About time haha

[randyfisher]

Thank you for this too-rare exploration of rubato! One can only find balance by exploring both sides of balance. The metronome gives a false sense of safety that skews most to the “too little” side, since people are quick to ridicule any effort on the “too much” side. But one does not find artistry by staying on the safe side… My teacher grew up before recordings and would often tell how much more individual artists were before recordings standardized expectations.

[isola]

Thank you so much Josh! You demonstrated this long-debated important subject with such clarity, truly helpful.

[henrik]

Can u make a video about how to get the chords in the left hand so quiet and even?

[PeterHontaru]

Just polishing up Chopin’s Contredanse in Gb and this video couldn’t have come at a better time!!! Thank you so much Josh.
To maybe overgeneralise about Perahia, maybe he is less exaggerated with rubato as he is a well known and respected interpreter of Bach whereas Trifonov and Babyan are more romantic. But this is not to say that they couldn’t play well at the opposite ends (they’re obviously amongst the greatest ever), just more of a general tendency

[pubgplayer]

Bruh not only are you a good pianist... but you know your math really well! Damn you're talented

[hassaanbangash]

Thank you so much for doing these types of videos and just know that thousands of us really appreciate what you do to help us become better pianists and musicians! Love from Canada

[cynthiagunkle]

Once again, a great encouraging teaching. Thank you so much!!!

[alc]

Thank you Josh. I found that very helpful.

[PermittedCAMI]

I think rubato is not only subjective, but it also depends on the piece being played.

[hetedeleambacht]

funnily i found the second intro in an allegretto tempo with only slight rubato at the end very nice...sometimes you can hear the phrase better when the rubato is there, but just slightly.... especially when the dynamics are done very delicately

[lucwijngaard]

To me Rubato makes piano music that much more interesting, whether to make it more intense or very calming and soothing like Debussy