Accidental vs. Intentional Phrasing

Ask yourself a few fundamental questions.  How much of what you play is something that you mean to do?  Is what you are playing intentional or accidental?  The honest answer may shock you.  It's all too common for students to learn how to play purely accidentally without any control or command of their instrument.  In this article I hope to define the difference between accidental and intentional phrasing and give several suggestions to break out of common habits and move toward true freedom and intention.

First let's define the difference between the two.

Accidental Phrasing

Accidental phrasing is when everything we are playing is not intentional or purposeful. Ultimately, accidental phrasing occurs when the mind and the ear are not leading our hands.  Usually this simple process is reversed and the hands lead the ear. We play something and then respond to it.  This creates unnatural awkward phrasing that has very little to do with actual music making.  

Sometimes technical aspects of the music we are playing supersede the music itself. When this takes place speaking through our instrument becomes secondary to "getting through" the passage at hand.  This ultimately leads to phrasing that is forced and unrelated to the music.  When we lean on technical aspects of what we are playing, we let these technical aspects dictate the phrasing.

The majority of amateur players use accidental phrasing without even knowing it.

Intentional Phrasing

Intentional phrasing means just that.  Everything played is being played on purpose. "What we want" is created in our minds before we strike the instrument and upon striking it, we recreate that idea.  This process is completely intentional.  

One can only "intentionally phrase" with complete control of one's instrument.  Otherwise, technique will dictate how our phrases sound.  Primarily, developing intentional phrasing coincides with the acquisition of music as a language and leading with the mind and the ear when playing.  If we are able to speak and communicate through our instrument, then we are naturally able to intentionally phrase.

In many ways, one could hypothetically view proper instrumental music education as the process of making all accidental playing intentional.  This process takes place most effectively when pursued under the appropriate student-teacher mentorship.  However, this is just a short article aimed at getting the ball rolling.  With that understood here are a few suggestions to begin the process on your own.

1) Practice slow with the intention of leading with your ear and your mind and reverse the process in which you execute.

Practice slow but not with the traditional intention of "playing more accurately."  Instead, practice slow in order to insure that you are hearing the sounds you would like to create "before" striking the instrument.  Your mind and your ear will conceptualize what you are doing before you do it.  The physical act of striking the instrument then follows.  Try this simple task and you will truly discover that your perspective and emphasis will have shifted. You will gradually start reversing the process from one in which you strike the instrument and then respond and chase to one in which you conceptualize first and then play what is already there.  

2) Honestly asses your technical development with each new passage and exercise patience.

A less verbose way of saying this might be "take your time and only learn new things when ready."  Much of the accidental phrasing I see is the clear result of players playing music that is technically out of their league.  In today's world of mass education, YouTube videos, and endless Facebook posts and discussions about "who is playing what," it's truly a challenge to be honest with oneself about what actually needs to be done vs what one wishes could be done.  Be honest and focus on where you actually are rather than where you would like to be and you will naturally gravitate toward things on your level.  This will allow you more control of what you are playing.  By doing this you will naturally be able to play with greater intention.

3) Strive to acquire music as a language.

It seems that every article I post has some sort of reference to this.  The more you perceive music fundamentally as a language the easier your playing will be.  You will be communicating through your instrument rather than attempting to overcome it. Of course there certainly is a lot more to it than that but at it's core music is only a universal language and a vehicle for communication.  This is the truth.  

4) Learn true relaxation, breathing, and good posture to properly channel the flow of energy.

Learning to properly channel the flow of energy through your body helps immensely. First, you must strive to remove all tension from your playing.  This may seem obvious but unintended tension in one's playing leads to a lack of control and accidental phrasing. Learning to relax and slowly work toward goals while asking yourself if you are able to control and manipulate the phrases with ease will insure that you are indeed able to ultimately control and manipulate the phrases.

Regarding relaxation and flow of energy posture also plays an important role.  If you are leaning over your instrument with your elbows behind your back then you are fundamentally disrupting the natural flow of energy.  This too leads to tension and ultimately awkward and unintentional phrasing.  Posture is extremely important and I hope to explore it further in future articles.

Finally, breathing is another way to properly channel the flow of energy.  If you are holding your breath while playing (all too common) than you are most likely creating some sort of tension.  "Breathing Coordination" insures that the oxygen is flowing to your brain.  It promotes openness and awareness of your actions and tremendous relaxation. Breathing is yet another important topic that I hope to explore further in future articles.  It is without a doubt an often overlooked piece of the puzzle on the road to control and intention.

Closing

It's worth repeating that in many ways learning to play an instrument is simply the process of making all accidental phrasing intentional.  For many, learning how to phrase intentionally will be the beginning of true freedom.  Be sure that your ultimate musical goal is to intentionally phrase, lead with your mind and your ear, and to control and manipulate sound.  Good luck!