First, it is advisable to understand the bird titled "Wagtail". Please show your students videos of actual wagtails. Upon observation, it becomes evident that this bird is quite small in size and moves rapidly. Therefore, playing this piece at an excessively slow tempo would be challenging for its pictorial depiction; a tempo of at least ♩=145 is desirable.

And like a small bird, the articulation should never be heavy; staccatos should be played lightly and briefly.

The six-measure introduction at the beginning establishes direction, determining which note it progresses towards. While this is also a point of differing opinions, the chord in measure 5 contains a suspension. This is considered a non-chord tone, where the C in the F# A C Eb chord of measure 4 is sustained and extended into the next measure. In other words, measure 5 would originally be a G B D chord, so other notes would be considered non-chord tones; however, this C enters as a non-chord tone and resolves in the following measure 6. The C in measure 5 descends to B in measure 6, resolving.

While there are many exceptions, typically, when a non-chord tone resolves, the resolution tone is played softer than the non-chord tone itself. Therefore, measure 5 should have the highest tension and volume, and measure 6 should be played softer than measure 5.

Next, a section spanning 8 measures appears (measures 7-14). Within these 8 measures, consider which measure's chord

has the highest tension. From the perspective of physical pitch height, the C in measures 8-9 is positioned at the highest pitch. In the first beat of measure 9, the F minor chord (F A♭ C) heightens the tension, so it would be appropriate to make this the peak and then gradually decrease thereafter.

Measures 19-20 are the inverse pattern of measures 1-2. If measures 1-2 depict a descending motion, portraying small birds collectively alighting, then measures 19-20 can be interpreted as their taking flight.

It would also be effective to play while imagining the busy, rapid conversations of small birds.