How To Teach Mendelssohn Venetian Boat Song Op.19, No.6
Today we’re talking about how to teach the Venetian Boat Song Op.19, No.6, by Felix Mendelssohn. This is one of the 48 lovely Songs Without Words that Mendelssohn composed for piano solo, and one of the few attainable by a mid- to upper-intermediate student. It’s a beautiful, melancholy piece that students love to play.
Recommended editions:
Alfred Masterworks - Mendelssohn: Complete Songs Without Words (Maurice Hinson)
Alfred Masterworks - Mendelssohn: Selected Songs Without Words (Maurice Hinson)
Masterwork Classics Book 8 (Jane Magrath)
Syllabus listings for difficulty level:
RCM Level 7
Illinois AIM Level 9
Jane Magrath Level 8
Skills and knowledge required to play this piece well:
G minor key signatures, plenty of accidentals: note the second C# in m.14
6/8 time signature, felt in 2 large beats per measure
LH large leaps - memorize, be able to play with eyes closed
Double thirds and sixths - consult multiple editions for fingering and experiment with what works best for each individual student
Singing tone and balance of melody over accompaniment
After I published the video above, a subscriber asked about fingering on the double thirds. Watch this video for some thoughts and demonstrations:
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