Often contemplative, lyrical pieces like lullabies, are bigger challenges to play than lightning bolt fast and furious etudes, final sonata movements etc.
“Sleeping Child” is its own poster child for fostering relaxed breaths, flowing musical poetry, and bigger energies beyond the fingers. It’s essentially a task not to wake the baby, with obtrusive, unwanted accents. (The flexible wrist is a shock absorber when needed)
In the videos below I divide Schumann’s masterwork into three parts, and consider fingerings, keys, harmonic surprises, inner voices and much more.
There’s infinite beauty contained in the composer’s short one page plus of music, but to experience heights of pleasure learning it, requires a patient, step-wise, non-judgmental approach. Toss in inspiration, enthusiasm commitment, and the journey is worth time invested.
Play through:
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Published by arioso7: Shirley Kirsten
International Online Piano Teacher, blogger, recording artist, composer, piano finder, freelance writer, film maker, story teller: Grad of the NYC H.S. of Performing Arts, Oberlin Conservatory, NYU (Master of Arts) Studies with Lillian Freundlich and Ena Bronstein; Master classes with Murray Perahia and Oxana Yablonskaya. Studios in BERKELEY, California; Member, Music Teachers Assoc. of California, MTAC; Distance learning by Skype and Face Time with supplementary videos: SKYPE ID: shirley kirsten
Contact me at: shirley_kirsten@yahoo.com OR http://www.youtube.com/arioso7 or at FACEBOOK: Shirley Smith Kirsten, http://facebook.com /shirley.kirsten; https://www.facebook.com/skirs.7/ TWITTER: http://twitter.com/arioso7
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Private fundraising for non-profits as pianist--Public Speaking re: piano teaching and creative approaches
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2 thoughts on “Piano Instruction, Don’t wake the “Sleeping Child,” Schumann Kinderszenen, Op. 15 No. 12”
Thank you for saying this is a difficult piece! When I first began learning it, I thought it should be easy but it is very complex in places. Not Bach perhaps but still complex. Now it is one of my favorites to perform! As always, I appreciate your insights and I will definitely have them in my thoughts the next time I play this piece. I am sad to see your 1092 go. I just love my 1098. But you will still have your grand! 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Christine. Agree on the complexity of “Sleeping Child” and all Schumann’s “Scenes.” The upright is still here, and I have two grands and another piano at large..
Thank you for saying this is a difficult piece! When I first began learning it, I thought it should be easy but it is very complex in places. Not Bach perhaps but still complex. Now it is one of my favorites to perform! As always, I appreciate your insights and I will definitely have them in my thoughts the next time I play this piece. I am sad to see your 1092 go. I just love my 1098. But you will still have your grand! 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Christine. Agree on the complexity of “Sleeping Child” and all Schumann’s “Scenes.” The upright is still here, and I have two grands and another piano at large..