Nice to hear this piece again. I played it for my grade 8. My teacher wanted it quite fast whereas I always felt it should be a touch slower. But, I played it his way in the exam and what did the examiner write? - "It could have been slower"! I've trusted my own judgement since then.
Shirley, this is exquisite playing. It rolls out of your body in iridescent phrases and such gorgeous choreographic movements. What a lesson for all pianists who play this piece. Bravo and lots of love from Seymour.
@@user-ej7ss8ei2g So sorry, I didnt mean it like that. Its just it seems like every time someone plays Debussy on youtube people start the "beautiful soul" comments. I'm just saying its Debussy's music
As a student currently studying this piece, this really made me understand even deeper the whole structure and appropriate interpretation Imagine how inspiring it must be to be helping students all around the world with this Greetings from Italy
My goodness it's beautiful played slow also. This was the first piece I heard which converted me to other forms of music. Thanks Shirley for posting this video.
Shirley, absolutely the warmest and best impression of this piece! Watched 20 times, maybe will a few dozen more. My fingers may be exact in time but sound mechanical and lacking 'life'. I have so much more work to do, but a welcome goal. Thank you.
I am in intense study of this piece. I think I got the first two pages figured out. I will upload what I learned as soon as it is done. I hope you like it...Shirley.
The polyrhythm part in the beginning is something that is new to me when I began to learn this piece and I really had a hard time trying to make it sound just like yours. The way you played it sounded beautiful and vibrant. When I play it I begin to speed up and it just sounds like a bunch of notes. I'm still trying my best to learn how to be more fluid. Thanks for the video!
You are a great teacher Shirley! I love this style of tutorial so much and your enthusiasm and love for this music is clearly felt. It is quite a piece to tackle and I love the way you broke it all down. Really nice :-) Take care and happy holidays to you and yours, ~Jackie
You're welcome and thanks for listening at my channel, as well. I wish I could execute the way I used to in my youth, but an accident in my late teens caused enough nerve damage that I have trouble with speed...dexterity issues, better some days than others, but grateful I can still play. I adapt :-)
How should I play LAST 3rd 4th and fifth measures. Should I bring out the lower quarter-notes or should I play all the broken chord notes equal volume? Thank You for all the time you spend sharing your gift to us. Lucy
Your videos are amazing. I hope your students know how lucky they are to have you for a teacher! So good of you to post your lessons for the rest of us to learn from. 💕. (I love when you hum along, too 🤗)
I am learning this now and your video is a great help because I have no formal training. I am always a bit sad when I learn to play a piece I really love, it's like by learning its secrets you destroy its magic.
@@ShirleyKirsten I understand that, but maybe because I lack formal training, music impacts me in a more basic and primal way, I have little understanding of the mechanics and math underneath it. With Debussy, it really is a bit of a shock when I learn to play his music, something is lost in the process. It happened with Reverie and The girl with flaxen hair and it's happening now with the 1st Arabesque.
So it's the type of practicing that opens to awakenings, epiphanies.. Perhaps you can find a mentor who will guide you in ways to deepen your understanding without sacrificing a basic intuitive love for the composition.
Thank you so much Shirley for such a useful insight I have depended on your video mostly to learn this piece and I have copied your fingering solutions most of the time and I am very grateful to you for sharing this video. I just wanted to highlight that you have a reading error in bar 14 in the left hand (last note of the first quadruple is G sharp and not F sharp as you played and please correct me if I am wrong. Many thanks again.
So in my URTEXT edition.. measure 14 --last note of first quadruple LH is G#--odd that I had played a F# a few years ago, since I had posted a lesson video today (for a student) using the G# at that very juncture as I have done in so many video lessons since posting the one you referred to. Thanks for pointing it out. Appreciated!
Hello Mrs. Kristen: I watched your whole video. I have spent less hours on my music since I lost my one and only teacher. Anyway...I like your interpretation of this piece. It is all about interpretation in my opinion. Some of these synthesia videos playing Debussy just doesn't have it. They are playing notes staccato, when they should be sustained. It irritates me. I noted you hum along with your playing, just as Glenn Gould did. Now I must ask you...was Glenn Gould an inspiration or mentor for you? I am considering learning music to refinement on my own. Since every teacher I approach is saying they don't have the room for new students. Your interpretation is most beautiful and thumbs up for that. You sent chills to my spine.
i know that this is an old video but is there any way to make my triplets even? mine always sounds syncopated when I play it :( thanks for the awesome video!
practice a string of triplets in any scale as practice.. you can use a simple fingering in C Major for example.. 1,2,3,, 1,2, 3 RH and try to get the round, curvy, yet spacious feel of a triplet..Most players crowd the triplet rhythm when it really has a sense of breadth. and breath.
Thank you for playing this song slowly. I feel like it is one of the most rushed songs in the classical piano repertoire. This song is a thesis, almost, on the difference between triple and duple. The triple more flowing, the duple more marching. The duple and triple are constantly switching hands, preventing one from being the melodic theme and the other the harmonic theme. And further, the song definitely benefits from the triple to duple transitions in the melody being rubato, to prevent awkwardness in the rhythm change. But an increase in speed in the song loses both the marching quality of the duplexes and the gorgeousness of the rubato. I hope more professional pianists will learn to understand the genius behind the work, and learn they have to let the rhythms breath to really let the piece shine.
Thank you very much for your video Shirley!! I put a video of this arabesque in my cannel, I would be very glad if you gave me your opinión. Greetings from Argentina!
Not convinced that would work, and if miked myself.. I have that kind of system, the piano sound would be distorted. I could hold the yeti mike close to my mouth, and keep putting it back on the desk that holds my computer when I actually demonstrate. So it would be a two pronged operation. What I usually try to do, is up the levels of my voice on iMovie when I import.
Nice to hear this piece again. I played it for my grade 8. My teacher wanted it quite fast whereas I always felt it should be a touch slower. But, I played it his way in the exam and what did the examiner write? - "It could have been slower"! I've trusted my own judgement since then.
Shirley, this is exquisite playing. It rolls out of your body in iridescent phrases and such gorgeous choreographic movements. What a lesson for all pianists who play this piece. Bravo and lots of love from Seymour.
Thank you, Seymour. What an honor to receive such comments, coming from you, whom I so deeply respect. Shirlehy
A beautiful lesson showing not only technique but a deep understanding. Thank your for posting these jewels.
Thank you.
Перевод?
I would LOVE her as my instructor...I love how she actually reads that music, just so amazing to me..
This brought tears to my eyes. You have a beautiful soul
Thank you for your kind comments.
Mihai Popescu no its not her, its debussy
@@user-ej7ss8ei2g So sorry, I didnt mean it like that. Its just it seems like every time someone plays Debussy on youtube people start the "beautiful soul" comments. I'm just saying its Debussy's music
As a student currently studying this piece, this really made me understand even deeper the whole structure and appropriate interpretation
Imagine how inspiring it must be to be helping students all around the world with this
Greetings from Italy
Thanks for such kind words. I'm gratified to be helpful.
Thank you Mrs Kirsten, you are amazing. Wish we could clone you so more of us can have a teacher like you.
These arabesques are two of my favorite Debussy pieces. So lovely and heavenly~
Love it !! Watched alot of your videos...Honing in on a couple for right now...Thank you, your'e awesome.
My goodness it's beautiful played slow also. This was the first piece I heard which converted me to other forms of music. Thanks Shirley for posting this video.
What a flow of the hand!
This is playing the piano with your soul
So informative. Thank you so much for sharing your vast amount of knowledge.
Shirley, absolutely the warmest and best impression of this piece! Watched 20 times, maybe will a few dozen more. My fingers may be exact in time but sound mechanical and lacking 'life'. I have so much more work to do, but a welcome goal. Thank you.
Glad to hear such nice feedback! Enjoy the musical journey as it unfolds..
everything about this video just makes me so happy :) love your playing!
Thank you.
Thank you kindly for this video. It's a great service you are providing us by recording these videos.
I am glad they're helpful.
Inspired and inspiring. Thanks a lot!
Your interpretation is how I would play it...if I could. Mrs. Kristen. That was Awesome.
Thank you
I am in intense study of this piece. I think I got the first two pages figured out. I will upload what I learned as soon as it is done. I hope you like it...Shirley.
Thanks for sharing.
You make so much come out of Debussy's music...love your teaching with technical and the feeling aproach of impressionism...
Thank you.
I so appreciate your analysis of this. It also helps my composition.
Michael Buschmann thank you
Best teacher ☺️😭 I love your beautiful music soul !
Thank you for this.
I've been looking for something like this for quite some time.
This is very helpfull.
Sincerely, Søren
Glad it was helpful.
The polyrhythm part in the beginning is something that is new to me when I began to learn this piece and I really had a hard time trying to make it sound just like yours. The way you played it sounded beautiful and vibrant. When I play it I begin to speed up and it just sounds like a bunch of notes. I'm still trying my best to learn how to be more fluid. Thanks for the video!
I hope it was helpful.
Shirley Kirsten I can actually play the part well now 😁😁
Thank you for this lesson, you play this piece beautifully.
Thank you!
Such a wonderful review of a piece . I assume this will help me a lot now since I decided to take this particular piece which is absolutely stunning
Thank you, I hope it of help in your Debussy journey.
Volume and tone superb.
Thank you Shirley, you play and explain beautifully
Thank you kindly!
I love the way you teach.
Thank you!
You are a great teacher Shirley! I love this style of tutorial so much and your enthusiasm and love for this music is clearly felt. It is quite a piece to tackle and I love the way you broke it all down. Really nice :-) Take care and happy holidays to you and yours, ~Jackie
Thanks again, Jackie.. I am likewise enjoying your channel and your sensitive playing...
You're welcome and thanks for listening at my channel, as well. I wish I could execute the way I used to in my youth, but an accident in my late teens caused enough nerve damage that I have trouble with speed...dexterity issues, better some days than others, but grateful I can still play. I adapt :-)
Good to hear that you continue to play and enjoy your musical journey.
Thanks Shirley so much :-) I hope to be able to play UNTIL.
Thanks and Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.
Such wonderful, useful analysis. Thank you!
Glad it helped.
This might be of interest--another Debussy favorite: ua-cam.com/video/jSBtjc45ejw/v-deo.html
Thank you, Ms. Kirsten!
Wally
Beautiful sound!
Thank you..
Fascinating listening to the breakdown. I'm no pianist just love the piece.
Thanks for your kind feedback.
Beautiful 💜💜💜
Thank you.
beautiful, passionate, professional.
Thank you!
how can I contact you re skype lessons Shirley?
Hi Simon, email me at shirley_kirsten@yahoo.com
Really useful. Great analysis. Not sure about the do-re-mi though.
thank you
très magnifique. je suis entichè de Debussy et le impressionnistes. merci beaucoup.
Merci!
THank you for the video !
glad it helped.
How should I play LAST 3rd 4th and fifth measures. Should I bring out the lower quarter-notes or should I play all the broken chord notes equal volume? Thank You for all the time you spend sharing your gift to us. Lucy
Your videos are amazing. I hope your students know how lucky they are to have you for a teacher! So good of you to post your lessons for the rest of us to learn from. 💕. (I love when you hum along, too 🤗)
Thank you so much!
I have no idea what she's talking about but somehow it still helped a lot :)
Wow!! You are amazing
I’m going to use this video to create a “over the rainbow” arrangement thank you!
fascinating
I just started learning this beautiful pice and this part 4:11 even though it seems very simple... I just can´t play it with the appropriate rhythm
Could you do the fugue in c major by Bach in his clavier of well tempered preludes and fugues book 1?
I am learning this now and your video is a great help because I have no formal training.
I am always a bit sad when I learn to play a piece I really love, it's like by learning its secrets you destroy its magic.
To the contrary, the love should deepen with the introspection, exploration, and awakenings that accrue in practicing.
@@ShirleyKirsten I understand that, but maybe because I lack formal training, music impacts me in a more basic and primal way, I have little understanding of the mechanics and math underneath it.
With Debussy, it really is a bit of a shock when I learn to play his music, something is lost in the process. It happened with Reverie and The girl with flaxen hair and it's happening now with the 1st Arabesque.
So it's the type of practicing that opens to awakenings, epiphanies.. Perhaps you can find a mentor who will guide you in ways to deepen your understanding without sacrificing a basic intuitive love for the composition.
This is just genius
Oh to have the magic touch of your fingers.
Thank you!
Thank you so much Shirley for such a useful insight I have depended on your video mostly to learn this piece and I have copied your fingering solutions most of the time and I am very grateful to you for sharing this video. I just wanted to highlight that you have a reading error in bar 14 in the left hand (last note of the first quadruple is G sharp and not F sharp as you played and please correct me if I am wrong. Many thanks again.
So in my URTEXT edition.. measure 14 --last note of first quadruple LH is G#--odd that I had played a F# a few years ago, since I had posted a lesson video today (for a student) using the G# at that very juncture as I have done in so many video lessons since posting the one you referred to. Thanks for pointing it out. Appreciated!
Hello Mrs. Kristen: I watched your whole video. I have spent less hours on my music since I lost my one and only teacher. Anyway...I like your interpretation of this piece. It is all about interpretation in my opinion. Some of these synthesia videos playing Debussy just doesn't have it. They are playing notes staccato, when they should be sustained. It irritates me. I noted you hum along with your playing, just as Glenn Gould did. Now I must ask you...was Glenn Gould an inspiration or mentor for you? I am considering learning music to refinement on my own. Since every teacher I approach is saying they don't have the room for new students. Your interpretation is most beautiful and thumbs up for that. You sent chills to my spine.
I hope you have a teacher now...
i know that this is an old video but is there any way to make my triplets even? mine always sounds syncopated when I play it :( thanks for the awesome video!
practice a string of triplets in any scale as practice.. you can use a simple fingering in C Major for example.. 1,2,3,, 1,2, 3 RH and try to get the round, curvy, yet spacious feel of a triplet..Most players crowd the triplet rhythm when it really has a sense of breadth. and breath.
Shirley Kirsten Thank you! i think that I have a stronger grasp of the tempo with your suggestion. very effective
When playing at regular speed, do you use a lot of sustain pedal? I’m trying to learn this piece.
Just that which is governed by harmonic movement.. and there can be some blurring with the whole tone scale, that is a Debussy hallmark.
Thank you for playing this song slowly. I feel like it is one of the most rushed songs in the classical piano repertoire. This song is a thesis, almost, on the difference between triple and duple. The triple more flowing, the duple more marching. The duple and triple are constantly switching hands, preventing one from being the melodic theme and the other the harmonic theme. And further, the song definitely benefits from the triple to duple transitions in the melody being rubato, to prevent awkwardness in the rhythm change. But an increase in speed in the song loses both the marching quality of the duplexes and the gorgeousness of the rubato. I hope more professional pianists will learn to understand the genius behind the work, and learn they have to let the rhythms breath to really let the piece shine.
Thanks for sharing!
❤️
If only her voice was louder, because I could learn more... However you make a beautiful sound.
Thank you - great ! I'll go and practice. You look like you are in a cold room ?
Yup
I need chord lessons
Sally, may I ask why you sold this Baldwin grand?
No room in small apt for two grands...
Traduzione in francese italiano grazie
What grand piano is that ?
Baldwin 165 model 5'5"
Thank you very much for your video Shirley!! I put a video of this arabesque in my cannel, I would be very glad if you gave me your opinión. Greetings from Argentina!
I listened, very lovely. You have a nice instinct for this music.
Many thanks Shirley for your time and your great opinion!! Many greetings!
I wish you could wear a microphone headset because your voice gets lost.
Not convinced that would work, and if miked myself.. I have that kind of system, the piano sound would be distorted. I could hold the yeti mike close to my mouth, and keep putting it back on the desk that holds my computer when I actually demonstrate. So it would be a two pronged operation. What I usually try to do, is up the levels of my voice on iMovie when I import.
I play this piece slow, easier to control. Same with Clair de Lune & Reverie. Arabesque is not a waltz piece.
μαθαίνοντας ελληνικά
You changed the rhythm so much, it is hard to recognize the piece.
Nicht babbeln.......spielen!