Notation; The Language Of Music

When we see someone playing an instrument, we can often take for granted the years of dedication it takes. Not only are you required to master the tonality and technique of your instrument, you are also encouraged to understand notation- essentially a new language!
Consider the notes as words whilst the rests represent punctuation . Music is very similar to speech in the literal sense I have just mentioned, but also in a metaphorical sense too. A composer is always trying to tell us something through his or her piece of music!
As well as notes and rests (or words and punctuation), musical scri pt also contains colour and expression. Sometimes the composer is very specific with what they want to portray, whilst others leave it more to the performers interpretation. Dynamics (how loud or quiet the notes are) and other symbols (such as staccato dots above a note, telling us to play it in a short and detached manner) give a piece it s intent and character.
When I look at a piece of piano music, for instance, I take all of these features into consideration, in order to form a true picture of the personality or mood. I feel it is imperative to try and take in these feelings ourselves while we perform, to give a real emotional edge to a scri pt, very similar to an actor on a stage.
Becoming one with your instrument, score and audience is the ultimate goal to achieve a captivating performance.