It is my pleasure to be a pianist in the wind orchestra. Not only do I have a chance to get to know many wind ensemble repertoires, but I gain more experience in playing the piano in a large ensemble. Through rehearsals, I have found some ways for a piano, a somewhat “isolated” instrument, to fit in the whole orchestra. 1. Count! As you know, the piano is an instrument whose sound is often ignored or sunk in the orchestral sounds. Unless there is a solo melody, it usually plays a “decorative” role in the music, and often there are many bars of rest in the part. (However, it never means that this part is not important otherwise the composers would not have written the piano part in their compositions.) In order to come in at the right time without hesitation, counting is fundamental for not missing the entrances. 2. Conduct! In addition to counting the right beat in tempo, following the conductor’s gestures and conducting patterns is also helpful, especially in a music piece with lots of changes in time signatures. I have gained knowledge about conducting through conducting classes during my undergrad; therefore, if I get lost during long rests or any other difficult parts, mostly I can easily get back on track by following that. Sometimes if the conductor kindly provides cues, having eye contact with the conductor will be a good way to follow up the music. Moreover, the conductor not only shows things about tempo and beats, but also expresses the music by using different body movements. By recognizing that, I can know the mood of the music more precisely. 3. Listen! Listening always plays an important role in music, no matter what genre or instrumentation. When playing in the orchestra, I found listening beneficial. To find the entrances, I listen to other parts and try to find some hints from other instruments’ rhythms or melodies. By listening, I can find out which instruments I am doubling with (usually percussion!); accordingly, I will write down some note names, instrument names, or expressions, on my score to remind me of what’s going on in other parts. I also listen to recordings and repeat again and again the passages that I was not so sure about to help familiarize the music. Furthermore, no matter when it’s in rehearsal or performing, especially when playing in a larger concert hall, I adjust my balance or dynamic according to the sound I heard. 4. Practice and be brave! Practice is of the utmost importance! After I got the scores, I started practicing immediately. Being well-prepared makes me more confident for the rehearsal. When there are solo passages, I even treat them as if they are the solo pieces I am working on. I also tried to find full scores or listen to recordings. Having the whole idea in mind will make me feel more at ease in the rehearsal. Last but not least, every sound is indispensable in the orchestra, so be brave and play out loud! It is everyone’s effort that makes the music so wonderful! - Chin-Hsuan Sharon Cheng 鋼琴如何融入樂團? 很榮幸也很高興能在管樂團裡面彈鋼琴,在那邊我不僅認識了許多管樂團的曲目,也累積了在樂團中彈鋼琴的經驗。即使鋼琴在樂團中像是一個「孤立」的樂器,經過多次排練,我逐漸掌握了一些能讓鋼琴順利融入樂團的好方法。 1. 數! 要知道,鋼琴是一種聲音經常被管弦樂忽略或沉沒的樂器,除非有獨奏旋律,否則它通常在音樂中都是「裝飾」的作用,而且經常有許多休止的小節(但這絕不意味著這部分不重要,否則作曲家不會在他們的作品中寫出鋼琴部分!)。想要不錯過且毫不猶豫地在正確的時間進來,數拍子和小節數很重要。 2. 指揮! 除了數拍子外,跟著指揮的手勢動作和指揮拍型模式也很有幫助,尤其是在拍號有很多變化的樂曲中。我在大學期間有修過指揮課,有學過一些關於指揮的基本知識,所以如果在曲子中比較長時間的休止符或其他困難的部分中迷失了,大多數情況下我可以通過跟著指揮回到正軌。有時候如果指揮有好心地提供提示,與他/她進行眼神交流也是跟進音樂的好方法。另外,指揮不僅展示有關速度和節拍的東西,還會通過各種不同的身體動作來表達音樂,也讓我可以更準確地了解音樂的情緒。 3. 聽! 無論是何種樂派或配器的音樂,聆聽始終扮演著重要的角色。在管弦樂隊演奏時,我發現聆聽很有幫助。我會聽其他部分來找尋進來的時間點,並嘗試從其他樂器的節奏或旋律中找到一些線索,我也可以藉由聆聽找出我跟哪些樂器同時在演奏相似的節奏或旋律(通常是打擊樂器!),然後我會在樂譜上寫下一些重要的音符名稱、樂器名稱或音樂情緒等等,以提醒我其他聲部同時在演奏什麼音、做什麼事。此外,我會聽錄音,如果有不太確定的段落就一遍又一遍地重複,幫助熟悉音樂。如果在排練或表演時,尤其是在較大的音樂廳演奏時,我時常也會根據聽到的聲音調整音量上的平衡。 4.多練,勇敢彈出來! 練習非常重要!每當一拿到樂譜,我就會立即開始練習,因為充分的準備可以讓我更有信心,當有獨奏段落時,我甚至都會把它們當作我正在練習的獨奏作品一樣看待。我也會找完整的樂團總譜來看或聽錄音,把整個曲子的樣子牢記在心能使我在排練中更加得心應手。最後,樂團中的每一個聲音都是不可或缺的,所以要勇敢地把自己的部分演奏出來!別忘了,是團隊每個人的努力才能造就美妙的音樂喔! - Chin-Hsuan Sharon Cheng
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