Monday, March 25, 2024
Piano Adventures 4: Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Bastian Lit 1: Ecossaise in G and Staccatissimo Wedges
This post includes lesson plans and activities that correlate with Ecossaise in G by Beethoven WoO23 in Bastian Lit Vol 1.
Music Samples and History
An ecossaise is an energetic country dance in 2/2. Listen for the "Jump-Drops" in the Ecossaise in G by Beethoven WoO23. What do you imagine the dancers doing during this part of the music?
Bastian Lit 1: March in D 122 Bach CPE and Musical Interpretation
This post includes lesson plans and activities that correlate with March in D by CPE Bach (Schirmer JS Bach AMB, Bastian Piano Lit 1, Easy Classics to Moderns).
Music Samples and History
Because Baroque music had few expressive marks written in the original score, different performers may have varied dynamics, phrasing, articulation, tempo, and rubato as they choose how to add musicality to the piece.
Bastian Lit 1: Minuet in G Bach 114 and Practice Steps
This post includes lesson plans and activities that correlate with Minuet in G by Bach 114 in Bastian Lit 1, Schirmer JS Bach, Succeeding with the Masters Bk 1, Easy Classics to Moderns.
Browse the Minuet in G tutorial video to learn specific tips for learning this piece and play along to guide your practice sessions. Follow the bolded practice steps.
1. Tap the Rhythm
11:30 Note reading & fingering:2. Practice Right Hand Alone
3. Practice Left Hand Alone
4. Practice Hands Together
Practice hands together slowly noticing parallel/contrary motions or patterns. (see 19:49)5. Fine Tune Expression with BAPDARP
6. Choreography and Technique
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Bastian Lit 1: Minuet in Gm Bach 115 and Piano Fingering Choices
This post includes lesson plans and activities that correlate with Minuet in G Minor BWV 115 (Schirmer JS Bach AMB, Bastian Piano Lit 1, Easy C to M).
Music Samples and History
The minuet is a light airy dance with small steps. Although there were no dynamic or articulation marks written in the original score, pay attention to how the performers add subtle dynamic changes and vary the articulation to add expression and musicality to this piece.
Listen to Minuet in Gm 115 performed by Lang Lang.
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Bastian Lit 1: Minuet in G Bach 116 and Baroque Articulation
This post includes lesson plans and activities that correlate with Minuet in G by Bach 116 in Bastian Lit Vol 1.
Baroque keyboard music was not actually played on the piano when it was composed, because the piano had not been invented yet. Listen to this performance of Minuet in G played on the clavichord. Can you hear the extra ornaments the performer added that are not in your music?