How do you give the accompaniment of a waltz the "waltz" feel?

Question

I'm sitting for the Performance Certificate exam by year's end, and I have some problems playing Chopin's waltzes.
Please answer my question, along with any other tips you can give me. Thanks^^

Answer 1

Listen to Rubenstein - one of the finest interpreters of Chopin in the 20th Century.

Now then. For the practicals: and this is going to sound awfully silly - BUT if you let this come out in your music - Oh my, my, my.

Remember this: Chopin's music (all of it) is the music of love. The baring of the soul.

At the time of their composition, the waltz was the most passionate of dances - much like the tango is today. So be passionate. Be in love - as Chopin was...

Or at least convincingly imagine yourself as in love.

That said, you should actually dance - yes, move your feet while holding onto another person - to these waltzes. That's precisely what they're for, after all. Dancing.

Look I know this sounds silly - but try this. Take your partner in your arms - and even if all you can do is sway to the music, imagine yourself making passionate love to your partner in some exotic place - or even some not so exotic place - but your partner makes even a drab dorm-room cot seem like the Cote d'Azur.

When you're at the keyboard, remember how it felt to bare your soul to your loved one. Let that permiate every note you play. Passionate Love!

Now there are all kinds of passionate love - so be careful not to think that sexual love is all there is - there's the love of life, flirtatious love, angry love, confused and sorrowful love - you name it - but it's the passion - the exposing of your soul to those dangerous emotions and flirting with the edge of disaster from coming so close to the bleeding edge of those emotions - that makes for the grand performance - even of simple chamber waltzes.

Trust me. It's not easy baring your soul - But that's the difference between an adequate technical performance - and a magical experience of interaction between the performer and the audience. Be brave enough to let your soul be bared - even before those who would cast darts at you (performance juries are the most demanding performances I've ever gone through).

I'm sure you'll be fine darling.

Answer 2

Waltz consists of 3 beats, right? The first beat always be the "bass" beat. You should feel that the first beat is important and the second and third are just accompaniment.
You can try practice only melody and the "bass" beat and feel that it sounds continuous (and beautiful) , then you can add the accompaniment but aware not too loud.

Answer 3

nicely I no longer from Australia yet I endure in techniques the music "waltzing Matilda" from the movie on the sea coast all correct to the radiation getting to Australia final. style of cool that the music is the national Anthem then.

Answer 4

I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but the "one two three" of the waltz is traditionally very heavy on the one..."ONE two three ONE two three"...this probably doesn't answer your question...

Answer 5

Just keep 3/4 time in your head !!!!