Welcome · Lesson Three of Three

How to Play More Beautifully

By now you have the technique to play real repertoire, so let us turn to the details that separate a competent performance from a beautiful one. In this lesson we look at three refinements that bring depth and shape to everything you play.

  • Right-Hand Balance: voicing chords and melody so the right notes sing.
  • Suspensions: shaping tension and release for real expressive effect.
  • Phrasing: giving your lines direction, breath, and meaning.

A note from Simon

These are the kinds of details you can refine for a lifetime, and they are a big part of what makes playing endlessly rewarding. A small change in balance or phrasing can transform a piece you thought you already knew.

This is the last lesson in this short series, but it is really just a beginning. If you would like to keep going, with a clear path and a community beside you, I would love to welcome you into the Academy.

Warmly,
Simon

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