I'm working on this piece right now. A piece that helped me to grasp the polyrythm is Opening, by Philip Glass. It's repetitive so I could focus on the rythm without thinking too much on a melody. After that, playing the polyrythm in the Arabesque is pretty straightforward.
Thank you so much. My pupil has been really struggling and now I realise it’s probably too difficult, and yet he’s got half way down the second page v well. This has been really helpful
I'm glad you found it helpful! Please download my Rperrtoire Difficulty Worksheet here: www.jannawilliamson.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-repertoire-difficulty
Wonderful video, full of useful insights! I adore the Jennifer Linn piece too and will be featuring it in an upcoming video of mine. Keep up the good work!
I love the 2-against-3 B major scale trick! I never thought of that before. I've only used tapping the hands on knees. I'm gonna use your trick in the future!
This scale exercise is part of the Illinois AIM curriculum, so students have to do it regardless. It was when I started taking students through AIM that I discovered the benefits of doing that!
I've always loved this piece, it's especially challenging to teach because everyone has their own interpretations and visions of how it should sound, more so than many other pieces. To me, it's "supposed to" sound like how Isao Tomita played it as I'd hear it in the Star Hustler theme song (American astronomy show that aired in the 80's and 90's). At the same time, I recognize my interpretation is quite a bit unconventional. Anyways, you're really awesome! I love your outfit, it looks very beautiful and stylish, and I love your short hairstyle, too, it looks really pretty!
Other videos covering pieces by Debussy: Clair de lune, part 1: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EcZTywUv5H8.html Clair de lune, part 2: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SB0xZkQ9F94.html Reverie: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6rJBHFvqeOg.html
I really like this piece. Been learning some impressionistic pieces from Ravel (Jeax d’eau) and Debussy Clair de Lune. Certainly a stark relief from Rachmaninoff and others.
As pianists, we are blessed to have wonderful repertoire representing so many historical eras and styles! When you tire of Debussy and Ravel you can go back to Rachmaninoff. 😊
Janna, I love your videos. I have a middle school student who love impressionistic music and smallish hands. What would be the earliest impressionistic piece you would recommend. She can do 2 against 3 and has completed the Jennifer Linn Impressionist book. (She learned Moonshadows on the Mountain in 2 weeks). What would you suggest next? She wants to learn Reverie but not sure if it's too much with her hand size.
Hand size would definitely be a problem for Reverie and Girl With the Flaxen Hair, unfortunately. Some of Children's Corner is probably doable - what about The Little Shepherd? Also, have you looked at this book for non-Debussy possibilities? amzn.to/3IKKClj
I do not have any experience with the piano or do I know how to read notes but I was able to memorize the entire song and can execute all of the polyrhythms correctly. Took me around four months to perfect!
Very interesting video. I'm having piano lessons for 7 months and I'm playing since 1 year and 3 months. I finished this piece 1 month ago and I can say that after 1 year hard work I mastered this piece and I can play it like an very advanced pianist. I have to say, that I have no problems playing with both hands also different patterns. I'm generally a person that learns very quick, if I'm interested in it. Now I broke my right wrist and I can't play for 1 month. I'm very sad. Good luck for all learning this wonderfull piece. PS: I'm german, sorry for my bad english...
2:30 pleas help,i have tried several fingerings for the right hand.The left hand scale is easy to me but the right hand is abit tricky i can't focus both hand well,i can play it right but the change i play wrong note(right hand) is pretty high up to 50%.Can you help mr right hand fingering?
I have a video on that Nocturne too! I think you could certainly try this Arabesque. It’s longer and in a very different style, but there are some transferable skills for sure. 😊 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-h_dSlttiRrA.html
Would you please let me know the title of the piece that you would give as a precursor to Debussy’s Arabesque 1 and the book title as well. It’s part of a collection and you showed the book as well. Thank you!
