Empowering Joint Musical Expression in Singer-Pianist Duos through Exploration of Text

Abstract: This article considers the many ways that musical partners can encourage and empower partnership in the form of joint musical expression. Examining, unpacking and living within the text—its words and punctuation, origins, emotion and subtext—is a very accessible, discussion-provoking, and effective way to nurture that sought-after shared sense of ownership of a particular piece of music. Through exploration of structure, meaning, and timing, teams can unleash the expressive potential of their unified musical voices.