If a pupil is playing a Romantic genre piece mechanically, I would encourage them to develop a greater awareness of the expressive and stylistic elements of the music. This could involve a number of different strategies, including the following:
1. Analyzing the structure and emotional content of the music: I would work with the student to break down the piece into its component parts, identifying key melodic and rhythmic motifs, as well as the overall structure of the piece. We would also discuss the emotional content of the music, and how different elements of the piece (such as tempo, dynamics, and phrasing) can be used to convey different moods and feelings.
2. Emphasizing the importance of listening: I would encourage the student to listen to recordings of other performers playing the same piece, paying close attention to their use of expressive techniques such as rubato, vibrato, and dynamic contrast. I would also encourage the student to listen to recordings of other Romantic genre pieces, to help them develop a greater awareness of the stylistic elements of the music.
3. Experimenting with different expressive techniques: I would work with the student to experiment with different tempos, dynamics, and phrasing, encouraging them to take risks and try out new ideas. I would also encourage the student to experiment with different bowing and fingering techniques, to help them produce a more nuanced and expressive sound.
4. Encouraging the student to connect with the emotional content of the music: I would work with the student to develop mindfulness and visualization techniques that can help them connect more deeply with the emotional content of the music. This could involve guided meditation exercises, visualization exercises, or discussions of the historical and cultural context of the music.
Overall, the key to encouraging a student to be more stylistically aware and communicative is to help them develop a deeper understanding of the expressive and emotional elements of the music, and to encourage them to experiment with different techniques and approaches to convey those elements more effectively. With time and practice, the student should be able to develop a more nuanced and expressive performance style that is true to the spirit of the Romantic genre.