Musicality explained: A Beginner’s Guide to Expression

**“But how do I play it musically?”**

If you’ve ever asked your teacher that question – or been that teacher – you know how slippery musicality can feel. It’s not just about playing the right notes, or even playing them well. It’s about making music speak – telling a story through sound, communicating emotion through nuance, and connecting with an audience in a way that feels genuine and powerful.

But musicality isn’t just a magical talent you’re either born with or not. Like phrasing or technique, it can be studied, observed, and developed.

In this post, we’ll break down what musicality actually means, how to identify it, and – most importantly – how to grow your own.

What Does “Musicality” Actually Mean?

Musicality is the ability to express feeling and emotion through music. It’s what makes one performance unforgettable and another feel flat, even when both are technically accurate.

Musicality shows up in:

Dynamics: knowing when to swell or whisper
Phrasing: shaping a line like a sentence with intention
Tempo choices and rubato: breathing life into rhythm
Tone: drawing out colours and textures
Connection: playing as though the music is alive in you

In short: musicality is your voice as a musician.

Step One: Listen Like a Storyteller

One of the easiest and most effective ways to develop musicality is listening deeply. Not just to the notes, but to how the performer interprets them. Ask yourself:

Where do they breathe?
What changes from verse to chorus?
How do they use silence?
Why does this version move me?

The more you listen, the more you’ll start to absorb musicality by osmosis. Create a “musicality” playlist filled with your favourite expressive performances. Classical, film scores, anime soundtracks – whatever inspires you.

Step Two: Study the Score, But Then Step Away From It

The score tells you what to play – but not how to play it.

Yes, respect the composer. But don’t be afraid to interpret. Consider:

What is the mood of this piece?
What is the emotional journey from start to end?
Is this line a question, an answer, a sigh?

Once you know the piece technically, try stepping away from the sheet music. Play it from memory, or improvise on its themes, and see what feelings naturally arise.

Step Three: Use Your Face, Body, and Imagination

Musicality isn’t only in your fingers.

Before you play, imagine what you’re about to express. Close your eyes and feel the emotional world of the music. Then let your body help you shape the sound:

Loosen your shoulders and breathe with phrases
Let facial expressions reflect the mood (Don’t force them! Just give yourself permission to relax and see what comes naturally)
Move naturally with the flow

It might feel silly at first – but audiences connect with authenticity, not stiffness.

Step Four: Record Yourself

Yes, it’s awkward. Yes, it’s confronting. But it’s also invaluable.

Recording your playing, even just on your phone, helps you:

Catch habits you didn’t know you had
Hear emotional flatness you missed while playing
Notice when you are expressive – and why it works

Treat it like coaching footage. You’re not judging yourself – you’re getting curious.

Step Five: Practice Expression, Not Just Perfection

We often rehearse for accuracy – but rarely rehearse for emotion.

Next time you sit down to practice:

Choose one phrase and exaggerate it in three different emotional styles
Play a whole piece focusing only on dynamic shaping
Try performing with your eyes closed, just to feel your way through the story

These exercises build creative muscles – and remind you that the point of music is to express something real.

Musicality Isn’t a Destination

Musicality isn’t a switch you flip – it’s a skill you nurture. Every time you listen with intention, take a musical risk, or shape a phrase like you mean it, you are becoming a more expressive, connected artist.

The world doesn’t need more perfect pianists. It needs authentic ones.

Do you struggle with musicality, or is it something you’ve grown into over time?
Have you ever heard a performance that changed how you thought about emotion in music?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this post helped you, please consider sharing it with a fellow musician. Happy practising!