2022 our 25th year online!

Welcome to the Piano World Piano Forums
Over 3 million posts about pianos, digital pianos, and all types of keyboard instruments.
Over 100,000 members from around the world.
Join the World's Largest Community of Piano Lovers (it's free)
It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!

SEARCH
Piano Forums & Piano World
(ad)
Who's Online Now
66 members (anotherscott, Bellyman, Carey, brennbaer, busa, ChickenBrother, Barly, 1957, 10 invisible), 2,048 guests, and 308 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 96
P
PamDD Offline OP
Full Member
OP Offline
Full Member
P
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 96
I just heard Benediction de Dieu Dans La Solitude by Listz. Stunning! https://youtu.be/jN_corqaqgY
I've been looking for beautiful slow classical pieces I can learn without getting too discouraged. But I'm a little intimidated by the six sharps. Is it possible to find this piece in a different key? I'm fairly new to theory and wasn't sure if this is always possible or even a good idea. Thanks!

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,391
M
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Offline
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
M
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,391
I think it may be better to choose something else until you are ready to tackle this. There are many beautiful pieces at all levels of playing.

Otherwise, playing in F# isn't really that hard. You play all the black keys, and you just have to remember which white keys you play (B & E#).

What pieces can you currently play well so we can recommend something at that level?


private piano/voice teacher FT

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,272
J
Unobtanium Subscriber
6000 Post Club Member
Offline
Unobtanium Subscriber
6000 Post Club Member
J
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,272

+1 on going with easier material first.

But it's worth noting that the black keys are actually easier on your hands and fingers because there's lots of room around them. They're easier to hit without hitting adjacent ones. 5+ sharps or flats is easier on your body, but the good old key of C with none is easier on your brain. ;-)



-- J.S.

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]

Knabe Grand # 10927
Yamaha CP33
Kawai FS690
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 17,273
B
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Offline
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
B
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 17,273
Originally Posted by PamDD
I just heard Benediction de Dieu Dans La Solitude by Listz. Stunning! https://youtu.be/jN_corqaqgY
I've been looking for beautiful slow classical pieces I can learn without getting too discouraged. But I'm a little intimidated by the six sharps. Is it possible to find this piece in a different key?

As others have said, the key signature is actually the least of this long piece's difficulties.

Why not try this famous piece first, in much the same style (simple religious-like tune with elaborate accompaniment) but much easier:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfDmUk7ie6s

Don't be put off by the key signature - it actually lies under the fingers very comfortably in this key. The natural 'shape' of the hand means that fingers 2 to 4 'feel' better on black keys, and that's what Liszt exploits.


If music be the food of love, play on!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 12,370
S
PW Gold Subscriber
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Offline
PW Gold Subscriber
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
S
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 12,370
Or look at this Liszt:

Romance s 169

Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,019
S
1000 Post Club Member
Offline
1000 Post Club Member
S
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,019
Listen to these good people's advice!

But let me be the little devil on your shoulder. If you really want to transpose Benediction, you could always get it into a music notation software package, which can then transpose it into any key you like. You may end up with something that's actually harder to play than the original, though.

There's Finale Notepad, which is free. I don't know that it has a transposition function (you may need the full verdin of Finale for that, and it's expensive). Otherwise, try MuseScore.

The poor man's version of this functionality is of course to manually move each note up or down a given interval as you input it into your tool of choice. But then your tools may as well be a block of ledger paper and a pencil.


Plodding through piano music at a frustratingly slow pace since 9/2012.

Standard disclaimer: I teach many things. Piano is not one of them.
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,328
P
9000 Post Club Member
Offline
9000 Post Club Member
P
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,328
If you are intimidated by the prospect of playing in a key with many accidentals, this piece is definitely far out of your reach.


Regards,

Polyphonist
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 96
P
PamDD Offline OP
Full Member
OP Offline
Full Member
P
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 96
I would love to build a library of beautiful slow pieces. I am in between teachers so I'm without the incentive to practice consistently on pieces that don't move me. I tend to get bored and move too quickly to another piece. I can play Bach's easier preludes: 846, 934, 939 822, 926. I'm currently playing My heart ever faithful. I just downloaded Traumerei and I can see that it's my level or just below. I love both classical and baroque. Thanks for your time!

Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 96
P
PamDD Offline OP
Full Member
OP Offline
Full Member
P
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 96
These are great suggestions. I posted the comment above before I saw your responses. Ben, the Liszt piece is just what I'm looking for. I do like Schubert's Serenade, too, although I'm sure I'm playing a simplified version.

And I will not fear the sharps!



Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 96
P
PamDD Offline OP
Full Member
OP Offline
Full Member
P
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 96
I'll also download the sheet music for Romance in E Minor. It's stunning.




Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 17,273
B
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Offline
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
B
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 17,273
Originally Posted by PamDD
I would love to build a library of beautiful slow pieces.

I just downloaded Traumerei and I can see that it's my level or just below. I love both classical and baroque.


Here are a few pieces which may suit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zA6bJsDfvM (also from Kinderszenen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK8uhTLBKI8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vswzh8qJ5k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJS8ultDT_o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy6plkuF50o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JwVCBFAVwA

And here is another Schubert song which you can play on the piano. It's in D major wink .
Use the original voice & piano score, and just add the vocal part to the piano part, as this pianist does:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXxnePGrJeo


If music be the food of love, play on!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,358
1000 Post Club Member
Offline
1000 Post Club Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,358
What is it about the sharps that you find intimidating?
Also, can you play one measure? I kind of starting doing that with songs that intimidate me. I play one measure at the time so that by the time I am actually ready for the song I will be comfortable with it. I don't know if this is a good way to go or not, but what the heck! It's fun.


“The doubters said, "Man cannot fly," The doers said, "Maybe, but we'll try,"
And finally soared in the morning glow while non-believers watched from below.”
― Bruce Lee
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,765
O
4000 Post Club Member
Offline
4000 Post Club Member
O
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,765
Originally Posted by Kymber
What is it about the sharps that you find intimidating?


What indeed? Sharps are friendly and nice, it's the flats that are intolerable!
There are 5 in one of my current pieces and we do not get along very well...who wants things flat anyway??

If it wasn't such an enourmous work I would certainly rewrite this piece to C sharp major...

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,445
A
1000 Post Club Member
Offline
1000 Post Club Member
A
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,445
That's a a great list of tunes. Dare I suggest that Schumann's Mignon is a nice slow one and not too hard in the context of what has been already listed. I love it anyway. There are many treasures in the album for the young besides that worth exploring mind you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK6mgWQ3Qog

or slightly faster if you like it that way

https://youtu.be/IM_t8o3JLtQ?t=54m33s


Selftaught since June 2014.
Books: Barratt classic piano course bk 1,2,3. Humphries Piano handbook, various...
Kawai CA78, Casio AP450 & software pianos.
[Linked Image] 12x ABF recitals.
My struggles: https://soundcloud.com/alexander-borro
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 96
P
PamDD Offline OP
Full Member
OP Offline
Full Member
P
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 96
I have listened to every suggestion. I'll be downloading the sheet music and look forward to playing all. I also see my fear of sharps was overblown.

By the way, I have a book of Bach's selected Works in which every single note is numbered for fingering and all of the sharps and flats are in red. Crossover notes are circled. this may not be a good idea but I sure do love it.

Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 96
P
PamDD Offline OP
Full Member
OP Offline
Full Member
P
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 96
does someone know of an older thread or forum where beautiful slow pieces are recommended?

Joined: May 2015
Posts: 12,370
S
PW Gold Subscriber
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Offline
PW Gold Subscriber
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
S
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 12,370
Originally Posted by PamDD
does someone know of an older thread or forum where beautiful slow pieces are recommended?


Threads are all over the place here-- there was one recently (?) on the Piano Forum regarding saddest piece ever. Didn't find it with the Search engine.

If you are not familar with it 'Barber's Adago for strings'arranged for piano is quite beautiful and easily tackled. Not a great performance,but it gives you the general idea

Barber Adagio for Strings

I love Piazzolla's tangos
Milonga de Angel

Oblivion

I'm sure I can think of more, as almost everything I play fits what you are looking for



Moderated by  Bart K, platuser 

Link Copied to Clipboard
What's Hot!!
Piano World Has Been Sold!
--------------------
Forums RULES, Terms of Service & HELP
(updated 06/06/2022)
---------------------
Posting Pictures on the Forums
(ad)
(ad)
New Topics - Multiple Forums
Very Cheap Piano?
by Tweedpipe - 04/16/24 10:13 AM
Country style lessons
by Stephen_James - 04/16/24 06:04 AM
How Much to Sell For?
by TexasMom1 - 04/15/24 10:23 PM
Song lyrics have become simpler and more repetitive
by FrankCox - 04/15/24 07:42 PM
New bass strings sound tubby
by Emery Wang - 04/15/24 06:54 PM
Forum Statistics
Forums43
Topics223,387
Posts3,349,212
Members111,632
Most Online15,252
Mar 21st, 2010

Our Piano Related Classified Ads
| Dealers | Tuners | Lessons | Movers | Restorations |

Advertise on Piano World
| Piano World | PianoSupplies.com | Advertise on Piano World |
| |Contact | Privacy | Legal | About Us | Site Map


Copyright © VerticalScope Inc. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this site may be reproduced without prior written permission
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community.