Sonata Form

Here is a quick version of the notes from last week's Sonata lecture:

Introduction

• Slow and stately, Commanding, Catches your attention
• Varying lengths
• Not always present

Exposition

• This section introduces the main themes of the piece
• The first theme is usually grand, and the second contrasting, and usually lyrical
• The first theme is in the tonic key and the second theme is usually in the dominant
• The entire exposition is usually repeated

Development

• One or more of the themes are played around with and changed up
• The development often ends with something called a retransition - that part that feels quite intense and builds up, usually with new material or transition material to bring us back to the main theme.

Recapitulation

• This is when the two themes from the exposition return in their original form
• The second theme though is usually in the tonic key

Coda

• Though the piece may end with the recapitulation,  many sonata-allegro form pieces have a coda
• A "tail" end - with a grander variation on one of the themes, a piece of the development, new material or very grand sounding final material

Suzuki Book 2 and 3 students are challenged to find these parts in their own Sonatinas!

Christmas Day Secrets

Anybody looking for a beautiful version of Christmas Day Secrets to aid them in their practice of Suzuki Book 1 should look no further!  Natalie has graciously supplied us with a thoughtful, carefully articulated and beautiful version.  Enjoy!

Billie Jean for Piano Duo

This is one of the reasons I love the piano.  As a pianist, one has such a great expanse of sounds truly at the fingertips.

Today I really enjoyed hearing a version of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean done by the Anderson and Roe piano duo.  Below is a link to a duo concert they did.  Billie Jean comes in at about minute 41.  Check it out!!!

Billie Jean done by the Anderson and Roe piano duo.

Awesome, right?  Yeah!  Go practice!  :)

Recital - November 2011

Well done!  Here's the proof!

To view the performances of Natalie, Katie, Maeve, Declan F., Pauline and Erica:

To view the performances of Whitney, August, Ioannis, Anne Marie, Cole, Diego and Adrian:

To view the performances of Amber, Fiona, Evan, Kabir, Jimena, Eddie and Declan H:

To view the performances of Mary, Chloe, Jerecho, Graham and Criss:

To view Ms. Aubrey's performance:

Thank you so much everyone - this was a lot of fun!!  Let's meet back here in the spring so we can show off all the hard work we do this winter!

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Beethoven's Sixth Symphony; Last Movement

I'm glad everyone enjoyed listening to the Third Symphony a couple of weeks ago.   Here is the last movement of the 6th symphony, one of my favorites.

Some of you are working on beautiful melodies and recognizing instrumentation, some are working on creating a picture or a feeling with the music your play at the piano, and some are working on the intricacies of how a composer treats a melody (variations, etc).  Please listen to this recording with these things in mind and come prepared to discuss it in your next lesson!  And enjoy!

Evan - took a lesson like a Suzuki Book 2 kid today!

Wow - what a week for congratulations!  Evan also graduated from Suzuki Book 1, playing with impressive sensitivity and spirit for his age.  Make sure to congratulate him when you see him at the November recital!

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Declan - Done with Folk, and on to Baroque!

Congratulations go out this evening to Declan, who gave a clean, confident, and musical performance of Suzuki Book 1 at Sherwood Community Music School.  I'm proud of all the work you've put into becoming an accomplished pianist for your age!

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