Hidden Structure

When you look at a finished skyscraper, you can’t see the I-beams and other aspects of its steel skeleton. But without them, the skyscraper wouldn’t stay together.

When young musicians interact with a new piece, the structure – the bones – of the piece are similarly invisible. But bringing this structure into view can be really beneficial.

Understanding the hidden structure of the piece can help with memorization, phrasing, interpretation, and more.

I like to draw visual maps of the structure of the piece with my students. When finished, it’s easy to see how the sections relate and how the piece lays on top of that structure.