Monday, March 25, 2024

Piano Adventures 4: Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven

This lesson plan includes activities and tips for playing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata in Piano Adventures 4 Technique Book. 

Music Samples

Choose a version of Moonlight Sonata to listen to below.




Tutorial and Practice Steps

Watch the Moonlight Sonata Tutorial practice step sections below and practice the tips before moving on to the next section. She demonstrates a different arrangement of the piece in a different key but gives excellent tips that can be applied to playing any piece with beautiful technique and artistry. 


1. Practice block chords. (see 10:54 Reduction practice).
2. Add wrist circles. (see 15:41 Articulations).
3. Choose Dynamic micro and macro goals. (see 18:06 Dynamics).
4. Determine where to add rubato (see 24:20 Style & mood).


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 AMBBastian Piano Lit 1Easy 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 1Schirmer JS Bach, Succeeding with the Masters Bk 1Easy 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

As you listen to the minuet tap the rhythm with a strong downbeat  (1,2,3, 1,2,3, etc.) and lighter arm weight on the phrase endings to imitate the minuet dance style. (see 04:41 & 06:15).
11:30 Note reading & fingering:

2. Practice Right Hand Alone

Mark scale patterns in the music and watch the fingering tips for Expansion, Contractions, Leaps and Crosses (see 11:30 & 13:03).

3. Practice Left Hand Alone

Prep the fingering and hold the left hand longer notes in measures 25, 26, and 29 (see 17:05).

4. Practice Hands Together

Practice hands together slowly noticing parallel/contrary motions or patterns. (see 19:49)

5. Fine Tune Expression with BAPDARP

Balance - Voice the moving melodies 25:52
Articulation -  21:11 Breathe at phrase ends with small wrist float offs
Phrasing 23:00
Dynamics - 25:24 Added by the editor not Bach, Strong downbeat, light thumb pliés
Architecture - Label the form and repeating sections
Rubato - possibly add a slight ritard on the section end and final cadence
Pedaling N/A
30:01 Style & mood

6. Choreography and Technique

View the Minuet in G video tutorial with choreography of tips (wrist circles, rotation, arm weight, etc.)
03:47 Right hand choreography 06:36 Left hand choreography 08:30 Both hands 09:59 Recap & summary

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 AMBBastian Piano Lit 1Easy 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?