How to Teach Reverie by Debussy
Today we're talking about how to teach Reverie by Claude Debussy. It is a well-loved piece that late intermediate/early advanced piano students love playing, and a good introduction to Debussy. It should go without saying that in an eleven-minute video, I was unable to go into a long discussion of how to teach tone color and nuanced voicing, but I hope that these basic thoughts are helpful to you and your students.
Recommended editions:
Schirmer Performance Edition - Claude Debussy: 16 Piano Favorites (Christopher Harding)
Alfred Masterworks Edition - Debussy: 12 Selected Piano Works (Joseph Banowetz)
Anthology of Impressionistic Piano Music (Maurice Hinson)
Also recommended: Jennifer Linn’s Les Petites Impressions for intermediate students preparing to study Debussy.
Skills and Knowledge Required to play this piece well:
Polyrhythm - three against four
Left hand arpeggios
Changing key signatures and interesting harmonies
Shifting all over the keyboard
Melody passed between hands
Voicing of melody over accompaniment
Debussy’s instructions such as “meno p” (and other very softs)
Damper pedal and possible use of una corda
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