Phrasing and The Art of the Rubato: Read More Finding the Groove

Good rhythm and time are crucial to make mechanical note-playing into music that is alive and expressive, that sings with the beat of your heart.” At its source, rhythm is the pulse of a piece and it creates an energy and flow that immediately engages listeners from the first notes. They also, unnecessarily I think, overemphasize teaching beginners which notes to read so that they can press the right keys (and, more importantly in their view, perhaps, not press certain keys). Without a strong sense of pulse though all those correct notes sound flat and arid. The development of rhythm begins by melding to an internalized sense of a beat — a strict, unchanging pulse felt over the entirety of a music’s bar that tools like metronomes teach our muscle memory to anticipate and align to sharply spaced divisions of time. This gets us in touch with our rhythmical groove, enabling the pianists to incorporate swing playing and momentum into their sound.

As players’ rhythmic ability progresses, additional rhythms, more difficult syncopation and challenging time signatures can internalize however players wish to interpret them. Syncopation — the stressing of notes off the beat — is at the heart of tension and release that propels listeners, ranging from classical variations to jazz improvisations. It is as if playing three notes against two, practicing polyrhythms, while enhancing coordination and richening expression also creates a certain independence between the hands. These aspects leave room for playful power-ups, timing which should feel like a tool rather than a demand. With enough practice, rhythmic control enables players to warp time subtly — speeding up for excitement, or hanging back for emotional weight — and gives life to performances.

A great benefit of solid rhythm is the effect on group playing-­playing with due measure gives you crisp, ‘together’ work when called upon to be in a time frame. In duos or bands, getting on that common pulse is a unifying force and propulsive engine that makes the music bigger than any of its individual contributors. Even when playing solo, thinking about accompaniment can sharpen your timing, since the left hand is often functioning rhythmically while the right has melody. Establishing this inner conversation reflects the types of musical conversations that occur in life, getting pianists ready for delightful ensemble work. The surer your rhythm is, the more mental energy you’re able to expend on dynamics and phrasing for better overall artistry.

Rhythm training also improves cognitive functions, such as focused attention, multitasking and pattern recognition while constantly predicting the beat. Regular tempo-based exercises helps develop resistance to ‘stage fright’ as you can rely on your own internal time-keeper under pressure. Breaking outside of world rhythms, whether you’re tapping into Latin grooves or learning an African pattern, is good for the soul — and prevents stagnation keeping practice fresh and inspiring. This can foster rhythm’s global tongue, linking us across cultures with a common heartbeat. Last but not least, dedicated rhythm work dexterities a deep musicality that spreads into all manner of playing.

In the final analysis, playing rhythmically and in time is the soul of piano performance; it transforms note sequences into meaningful stories than touch people. And as you get better, locking into a good groove becomes increasingly seductive and the desire to explore, hone and continue experimenting is never ending. Pianists find that great timing doesn’t just complement technical skill but enhances emotional depth, making the music feel vivid and present. The cornerstone of the game, and one that gives much back to a player who keep at it with performances which float supurbly upon the ground taking in an audience and satisfying the player deeply. To yield to the power of rhythm is to gain entrance into a world where music breathes freely: an easy discovery and pure pleasure for fingers on the keyboard.