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LESSON PAGE.  EDELSON

​
January 24

​HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!

Scale, Arpeggio, Chord and Cadence practice

Include in practice:

​Scales and arpeggios of the key signature you are using in the pieces.

Diminished chords

Reminder: Diminished chords are a chain of minor thirds.  C - Eb - Gb - A
​There are only three diminished chords:
C - Eb - Gb - A    //    C# - E - G - A#    //    D - F - Ab - B
Remember that diminished chords can be inverted and become another note's diminished chord
BOOK OF SCALES
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CLASSICAL / ORIGINAL WORKS

NEW: GERSHWIN.  Rhapsody in Blue.  Slow section.
Starting on page 20, second line.

Don't print the entire thing.
Start on page 20, Second line
End at the bottom of page 23

January 24
Apply the concepts we have learned about analytical practice to know who is happening on the page.  Keep writing on the page as you practice.

Notice:
  • How the piece uses material from the Bb Major scale, Bb Major pentatonic scale and Bb "blues" scale.
  • How it uses Eb Major as a transition to land on Ab Major on page 2
Attention: On page 2, line 2, the RH changes to Bass clef.
Line 3 becomes very dense.  Learn the melody first, then the octave, use analysis to figure what is happening.

Page 20.
​Lots of duplicated notes. Learn the melody first, add the octave, then the filling notes.
gerwshwin_rhapsody_in_blue.pdf
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IN PROGRESS: M. MUSSORGSKY. Promenade (from "Pictures at an Exhibition"

January 17
  • Today we talked about the function and importance of the pentatonic scale in folk music.
  • The theme of "Pictures at an Exhibition" is based on the pentatonic scale (there are more pentatonic scales than this one, but this is the main one).
  • Practice system, ONE measure at a time
    1. Learn the melody (top note of the chords)
    2. Play the melody you just learned and add the next lower note of the RH chords
    3. Now, while you play two notes at a time, add a third note of the RH chords
    4. Now you play all four notes of the RH chords
    5. Play complete RH, plus at the LH, play one note at a time, without the duplicated octave
    6. Play the complete thing.  REMEMBER: We are playing just ONE measure.  Resiste the temptation to keep going into the following measures.
  • On the more complicated measures, ONE measure at a time
    1. Learn first the RH with the octaves, no inner notes yet.
    2. Then once you know the octaves, find the common notes and play the octaves plus the common notes.
    3. Then find another note that repeats often, and add it to the mix.
  • I highly recommend that you color-code your score, and if possible, enlarge it to make it more legible when practicing. See picture:
page_one.pdf
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Picture

ALMOST DONE: CHOPIN.  Nocturne Op.27 Nr2 in Db Major

Jan-3
This is a long term piece that will take months to get low.  We will combine it with other pieces for as long as you still have interest in working on this nocturne.
Picture
CHOPIN NOCTURNE Op27 Nr2 EbM
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SCHUBERT. Impromptu Op. 142 Nr.3 in B-flat

imslp67286-pmlp02063-schubimprop142no3r.pdf
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SCHUBERT. Impromptu Op. 142 Nr.2 in A-flat

imslp67279-pmlp02063-schubimprtop142no2.pdf
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JAZZ / POPULAR

REAL-BOOK
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FAKE-BOOK
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I Could Write a Book

I COULD WRITE A BOOK
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Jan-3
Following the steps:
  1. Melody only. Not from the beginning to the end but phrase y phrase, marked on the score with green separations.​
  2. LH only: Play the chords as triads (3-note chords)
  3. Put hands together: Melody on the RH, Block chords on the LH
  4. LH only: Practice the triad chords as bass and chords.  Bass placed one octave lower than the chord.
  5. Hands together.  Melody RH. Bass and chords on the LH

Easy to Love

easy_to_love.pdf
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Green Dolphin Street

green_dolphin_sreet.pdf
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Titles in C Major

***​A fine romance. 3
Alice in wonderland. 12
All of me. 16
Bewitched. 43
Black Orpheus. 49
***Don't get around much anymore. 126
Easy to love. 130
Green dolphin street. 179
***I could write a book. 209
*Night and day. 320
Satin doll. 367
Take the “A” Train. 421

​I'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO YOUR FACE

October 5
today we talked about practicing the LH over and over playing the bass+chord to get the motion automatic, and the jumps memorized.

Avoid playing the chord using finger #5 whenever possible, so the jump is shorter.

Then apply the melody to the bass+chord you just practiced.

Picture
I'VE GROWN example bass-chord
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HOW ARE THINGS IN GLOCCA MORRA

10/27
Many of the G-minor chords needed the B-flat.  Attention to B-flats in general.
​Also B-flats in C7 chords.
Ok not to be counting obsessively on this song.  It can be flexible and relaxed.  Same when you are trying to fit arpeggios on the LH.
Picture
HOW ARE THINGS IN GLOCCA MORRA
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HOW ARE THINGS IN GLOCCA MORRA Exercise
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GETTING TO KNOW YOU

9/29
Excellent application of the bass-chords for the entire song.
​

9/21 UPDATE

I have created this exercise for you to practice the application of bass+chords to "Getting to Know You" following the steps:

1- Just play melody on the RH and block chords on the LH
2- LH now will break the block chords into bass + chord.  No octave lower necessary.  As simple as possible
3- LH now will alternate in the bass the -I- and the -V- to bring more variety to the bass line.

​All these examples are included in the score here on the right margin.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU chart
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GETTING TO KNOW YOU exercise
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Picture

AS TIME GOES BY

6/9/2020 LESSON NOTES:
Much better flow in the melody than before.
The second section still needs more clarity.  The chords are not very clear.  Better definition between bass/chords.
AS TIME GOES BY -The Real Book
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Explanation on how to practice building gradual bridges over the pause.

PIECES ALREADY WORKED ON:

SCHUMANN Selected numbers from Carnaval 
​SCHUMANN: Scenes of Childhood 1 - 7 - 12 -​ 13
​GRANADOS Danza Nr. 5
​ALBENIZ Granada
GABRIEL'S PIECES Flowing River, Gentle Rain, Underwater
​BACH Prelude Nr 1 WTC 1
​BEETHOVEN Moonlight Sonata. First movement
​CHOPIN Prelude Op 28 #4 E minor
​MOZART. Fantasia in D minor
BRAHMS. Waltz Op 39 Nr. 15 in A-flat Major
​MOZART.  SONATA IN A MAJOR. THEME AND VARIATIONS/Rondo Alla Turca
SATIE.  GYMNOPEDIE in G Major
​GNOSSIENNE in A minor
GERSHWIN.  PRELUDE #2
DEBUSSY.  REVERIE
CHOPIN.  WALTZ IN A minor
SUITE ESPAÑOLA. Granada. Blank score
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granados_playera___danza_espanola_op5_nr5.pdf
File Size: 232 kb
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CHOPIN: ​Prelude Op. 28 Nr. 4 in E minor
File Size: 80 kb
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bach-prelude-cmajor.pdf
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BACH Prelude C Major WTC-1
File Size: 424 kb
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SCHUMANN Scenes of Childhood Op 15
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schumann_carnaval_.pdf
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FUTURE PIECES:

BEETHOVEN
2nd movement in D Major (I need to find the specific information about it)
MOZART Fantasia in Cm
BRAHMS Earlier pieces
LISTZ portions of famous pieces
MOZART KV 545
SCHUBERT Portion of Impromptus
SCHUMANN Scenes of Childhood Op 15
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GERSHWIN. Intermediate arrangements

Score with selections:

gershwin_intermediate.pdf
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Love Is Here to Stay

CLEMENTI Sonatinas Op. 36

Picture
12/8
​Practice system to obtain flow.
​See each element and section ad try to understand it not by individual notes, but by concept.  LH may be playing a chord in some pattern, then learn it first as a chord, then play it as individual notes.

11/24
We will play Sonatina #2 (and if time allows, also number 1) at the next lesson


SONATINA NUMBER 1
First Movement
11/10
The notes are well read.  the rhythm is good.  The pulse needs work.

Since this piece is not difficult to play and well within your technical range, let's focus on obtaining a very steady count and a precise sense of rhythm.

Then we will be differentiating the layers that have the melody, accompaniment, and when those layers cross over from the RH to the LH, we bring the melody out.

Second Movement
Attention to B-flats!
Very clear format of accompanied melody.  There needs to be a clear difference in sound from the melody and the LH broken chord patterns.
This is a relatively slow movement, easy to play it despite the goal for the final tempo.

Third Movement
This is a fast one, which means that you need to learn the RH melody very well before adding the LH because there will be little time to think.
When you add the LH, it is more efficient to add it as chords.  You learn it faster, you understand it better, and your fingers will be in position, so it will be more efficient.
Attention to this counting:

CLEMENTI Op.36 complete sonatinas
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In general this piece is going to be easy for you to play.

Next lesson I would like to see how much closer you can get to the ideal steady pulse, more balance and differentiation between the hands, and continuity without the pauses, or a very minimum number of pauses.

Priority: INNOCENCE by F. Burgmuller

2/2
Not seen at our lesson yet.  We will see it next lesson.

12/16
​Not difficult to prepare but very beautiful.  I recorded it for you so you can listen as you learn the notes.
burgmuller_etudes._innocence.pdf
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Next lesson: ARIETTA Op12 by E. Grieg

2/2
First line:
​Let's start by learning ONLY the melody with the RH, not including any of the harmony notes.
Then, let's learn the LH by itself as written.
When putting hands together, do it this way:
RH plays the melody ONLY
LH plays everything assigned to the LH.
After that you can then add all the notes to the RH and learn it separately.

Then repeat with the second line, and further lines but keeping it in small sections.

Picture
grieg_arietta_op12.pdf
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In general there are many notes that need to be marked on the score, especially flats that are missed.  Any time you hear something that sounds like it could be wrong, mark it.

Next lesson: WALTZ Op12 by E. Grieg

2/2
We will see this one at our next lesson and pass it if it is completed.

1/5
Good job with the LH.  Finger #3 works as pivot so your hand can tilt from the bass to the chord easily.

Bass chord chord:  down up, up swinging from left to right smoothly

The notes are generally not difficult to play and you did a god job reading through them.  Now you can focus on obtaining a balance between the hands so that LH is much lighter, softer and discrete, so the RH can sing without effort.

​On page 2, make sure that the RH does't intrude on the sound of the LH.  The LH is now leading and has the principal melody.
Counting could be better.  Your RH quarter notes sound too impatient and they easily become 8th notes.  Keep them lined up in the beat.

Return of the theme.  Attention to m. 62+63.  Notice the common notes and focus your reading effort to the changing notes.


grieg_waltz_op12.pdf
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WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS from Nutcracker -Tchaikovsky-

2/2
Skipped measures happened again.  Watch out for these measures:
Picture
2/2 continued...

Some other measures skipped as well.  That could be happening because of looking up and down the score.  To keep that from happening you could learn the melody with the RH alone first for a small section.  After the melody id easy to play with one hand, add the LH.  At that point, since you now now the RH well, you will not skip measures because your ear knows what note comes next and knows the entire phrase as a unit.

Also, a piece this long is better to break it into sections rather than playing the complete thing as one unit.
Ways to practice this in a progressive manner:
RH as written, but accompanied by the LH playing only the bass notes without the chords.​

waltz_of_the_flowers.pdf
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FREDERIC MOMPOU.  Canción y Danza (Only the Canción portion)
​Nrs 6, 7 and 8

3/16
Canción Nr. 8
last line LH bass clef
page 2 top line. m3 I could not recognize the notes you were playing on the RH
Simplifying is a very effective way to learn pieces, [;saying first the layers that carry the melody and bass, then adding the layers that carry the harmony and inner notes.

I feel you may have been practicing this piece playing everything at all times.  It is not necessary and also not very effective as a way to memorize the structure of the piece as you learn it.

MOMPOU Cancion 6, 7
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MOMPOU Cancion 8
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ENRIQUE GRANADOS.  Vals Noble 1 through 6.

SELECTION GRANADOS "VALSES POETICOS"
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BACH from Well-Tempered Klavier Vol.1
Prelude #9  in E Major

bach_prelude_9_in_e_major.pdf
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McDOWELL to a Wild Rose

to_a_wild_rose.pdf
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​French Suite in G Major Nr.5 by Bach

bach_french_suite_5_g_-bwv_816.pdf
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CHOPIN: Mazurka in A minor, Op. 67, No. 4 (Posthumous)

chopin_mazurkas_op_67_4.pdf
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​LISTZ.  Consolation No. 3

listz_consolations_-ricordi-.pdf
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listz_grb_notes.pdf
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AWAY

A piece by Gabriel with a lighter harmony and clear melody

SERENITY

A calm piece that sounds more cinematic
GABRIEL RUIZ-BERNAL "Away"
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GABRIEL RUIZ-BERNAL "Serenity"
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INNOCENCE by F. Burgmuller

burgmuller_etudes._innocence.pdf
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PASTORALE by F. Burgmuller

burgmuller_etudes._pastorale.pdf
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Nocturne in C minor Nr.20, KK. IVb by Chopin

chopin-op28_prelude_c_minor.pdf
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PASSED: CHOPIN.  Nocturne Op.9 Nr2 in Eb Major

CHOPIN NOCTURNE Op9 Nr2 EbM
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PASSED: CHOPIN.  Nocturne Op.55 Nr1 in Fm and Nr2 in Eb Major

CHOPIN NOCTURNE Op55 Nr1 and Nr2
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PASSED: CHOPIN.  Nocturne Nr18 in C minor

CHOPIN NOCTURNE Nr18 Cm
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LESSON NOTES on Noct Cminor
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NEW: EDWARD GRIEG.  Elegie Op38 Nr6

grieg_elegie_op38_nr6.pdf
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IN PROGRESS: JOHN FIELD.  Nocturne in B flat Major

field_nocturne_bb_major.pdf
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CURRENTLY: BEETHOVEN. Moonlight Sonata. First movement

MOONLIGHT score
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MOONLIGHT synthesis
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BEETHOVEN. Pathetique Sonata (2nd mov)

henle_urtex_beethoven_pathetique_sonatas-vol1.pdf
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MENDELSSOHN. Songs without Words

MENDELSSOHN op-19_nr.4 A Major
File Size: 1028 kb
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MENDELSSOHN op-19_nr.6 G minor
File Size: 1483 kb
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MENDELSSOHN op-30_nr.3 E Major
File Size: 963 kb
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MENDELSSOHN op-30_nr.6 F# minor
File Size: 1526 kb
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MENDELSSOHN op-53_nr.1 Ab Major
File Size: 3069 kb
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MENDELSSOHN op-102_nr.4 G minor (sighing wind)
File Size: 1966 kb
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