Taught by renowned instructor
Leann Osterkamp
In this lesson, American pianist Leann Osterkamp guides you through Felix Mendelssohn’s Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14. <br><br>You will learn to refine your melodies and articulations through singing and verbalizations. By singing along with your melodies, you will discover their natural phrasing and learn where to crescendo or diminuendo, where to take a “breath,” and which melodic leaps benefit from a slight ritardando. By assigning words (e.g. “strong” and “weak”) to your articulations and speaking them out loud, you will learn to execute them efficiently and expressively. <br><br>Osterkamp also suggests assigning descriptive adjectives to each section of this piece. She invites you to imagine yourself as an actor and reflect on how you would interpret these adjectives as character changes. What kinds of experiences or events might trigger these shifts? This mental exercise, Osterkamp tells you, will imbue your playing with a greater sense of storytelling and drama. <br><br>Throughout this lesson, you will learn various strategies for tackling this piece’s technical challenges, such as fast staccato playing, octave work, and oscillating double thirds.
Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14
In this lesson, American pianist Leann Osterkamp guides you through Felix Mendelssohn’s Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14.
You will learn to refine your melodies and articulations through singing and verbalizations. By singing along with your melodies, you will discover their natural phrasing and learn where to crescendo or diminuendo, where to take a “breath,” and which melodic leaps benefit from a slight ritardando. By assigning words (e.g. “strong” and “weak”) to your articulations and speaking them out loud, you will learn to execute them efficiently and expressively.
Osterkamp also suggests assigning descriptive adjectives to each section of this piece. She invites you to imagine yourself as an actor and reflect on how you would interpret these adjectives as character changes. What kinds of experiences or events might trigger these shifts? This mental exercise, Osterkamp tells you, will imbue your playing with a greater sense of storytelling and drama.
Throughout this lesson, you will learn various strategies for tackling this piece’s technical challenges, such as fast staccato playing, octave work, and oscillating double thirds.
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Unlock Course →Steinway Artist Leann Osterkamp has established herself as a versatile musician known for her definitive interpretations of American composers Leonard Bernstein and John Musto.
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