How To Teach Grieg Notturno Op.54, No.4
Today we're talking about the very beautiful Notturno Op.54, No.4 from Edvard Grieg's Lyric Pieces. Not only is this piece worthy of study in its own right, it also provides fabulous preparation for students who want to play Clair de lune by Claude Debussy.
Syllabus listings for difficulty level:
RCM 9
Illinois AIM Level 10
Jane Magrath Level 8
Related videos:
Leopold Mozart Minuet in F Major
Johann Burgmüller Arabesque Op.100, No.2
Grieg Little Troll (Puck) Op.71, No.3
Grieg Watchman’s Song Op.12, No.3
The main topic highlighted in Part 1 was rhythmic components:
9/8 time signature,
duples versus triples,
ties, and
polyrhythms
Suggested Practice Process:
Practice LH alone WITHOUT ties, then polyrhythm WITHOUT ties
Practice the accompanimental RH part with LH
Put everything together
Balance the melody over the accompaniment
In Part 2, I talked about everything else!
Rolled chord at the end
Chromatic content m.51-54
Piu mosso section suggestions
“Nightingale” trills
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Every piano teacher has experienced a second-year student asking to play Für Elise or an early-intermediate student asking to play Clair de lune. The good news is that these students have heard these classics and want to play them. The bad news is that they aren’t ready, technically or musically. What is one to do?
I plan to map out suggestions for handling TEN of the most-asked-for pieces. Things like
Clair de lune
Pathétique Sonata
Rondo alla Turca
Maple Leaf Rag
Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat
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