Precise

Often, when I hear a pianist playing, on the radio or somewhere, I notice that they are trying very hard to make the notes absolutely even. Not exactly like a robot, but certainly not like something natural - because natural things, while they can be similar, always are a little bit different from each other. Don't they say no two snowflakes are the same?

I think this kind of playing is the result of a bit of a misunderstanding. You see, when people learn the piano they get the idea that to play evenly is a good thing. Certainly, to play unevenly can be a bad thing. But what I think is really wanted is the ability to play evenly. That means that it is good to be able to control the sound you are making. Since the hardest thing is to play absolutely evenly, everyone tries to do that. But then the problem is that when you get to play some actual music, it doesn't sound good that way. It sounds clean - but that's not good enough!

You see, music flows and moves in a natural way. The sea washes up the beach and on to the rocks but the tide isn't the same height each time. Wouldn't it be a bit weird if it were? Would it make sense if actors pro nounced ev e ry word abso lute ly even ly?

It's the same with music.