pianoaddict end

I discuss beginnings with my students often. Does the piece open into an ongoing plot like a certain Star Wars film? Must they imagine and set the atmosphere, then let it evolve? Is it a “once upon a time” situation? Is our brave heroine in the midst of a fight? Are we merely observing or right in the action?

But what about the endings? I realized this week that my students and I need to spend much more time on those final moments. Yes, an ending will follow from all that has come before, but interpreting the composer’s instructions and creating a satisfying finish can be really tricky. There are abrupt endings, pieces that vanish in a puff of smoke, forced happy endings after quite serious goings on, chords that scream THE END in large friendly letters, pieces that fade slowly off into the sunset, and passages that run straight into the proverbial wall. You may find yourself fighting right to the finish or resigned to the inevitable. Endings can be simple, obscure, graceful, dramatic, and infinitely more. 

Arnold Zwicky wrote an interesting article on dramatic exits this week and brought up so many great dramatic words and phrases that I just had to share a few of them with you. 

flamboyant, slipped out, emergency exit, dramatic escape, storming out, speeding off, dismissive gesture, jumping off, flying off, falling into a pit, character [comedically] obliged to return again and again, stumbling off, the drama queen

Arnold Zwicky

One of my favorite illustrations of an ending ever is what a colleague termed “piling on”. (#footballreference) We all have experienced those (think classical era pieces) wherein the last phrase has concluded but then a dramatic series of V – I – V – I – V – I is piled on.  Penalty!

What you say in the final moments of a piece can influence a listener for a lifetime. Don’t be afraid to step forward and make yourself and your listeners question, ponder, wonder, leap with joy, laugh, weep, tremble, dream, dance, pray, or even struggle a bit. It’s our job to make people think and feel. In the words of Mel Brooks, Listen to your broccoli and it will tell you how to eat it.

For many ideas and descriptive words to help jumpstart your musical farewells and more, visit The Musical Adjectives Project (a pull-down menu is located in the red toolbar at the top of this page.)

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