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Todoroki, Chihiro :  フランスの曲

Work Overview

Music ID : 63882
Instrumentation:Piano Solo 
Genre:for children
Original/Related Work: French Folk SongsAu clair de la lune

Commentary (2)

Author : Imazeki, Shiori

Last Updated: March 1, 2020
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Note: This article is automatically translated from the original Japanese text. The author of the original work did not supervise this translation.

C major, 4/4 time. The piece features a charming melody, accompanied by an Alberti bass pattern and incorporating repeated notes. Measures 9-12 are characterized by an interplay between the right and left hands.

Writer: Imazeki, Shiori

Author : Ooi, Kazurou

Last Updated: June 18, 2020
[Open]
Note: This article is automatically translated from the original Japanese text. The author of the original work did not supervise this translation.

Although it is a simple 16-bar piano piece, its sparse texture makes it not easy to perform. Here, I would like to discuss two important points. One is pedaling. Children who play this assigned piece may not yet be able to use the pedal, but I strongly encourage them to use the pedal, even if it requires an assist pedal.

Pedaling Examples

  • Bars 1-4: Change the pedal twice, on the 1st and 3rd beats, only in bar 3. For the other bars, sustain the pedal for the entire bar.
  • Bars 5-8: Same as bars 1-4.
  • Bars 9-12: Sustain the pedal for the entire bar in bar 9, and change the pedal twice, on the 1st and 3rd beats, in bar 10.
  • Bars 11-12: Do not use the pedal at all.
  • Bars 13-16: Same as bars 1-4.

Dynamics

  • Bars 1-4: Inform students that the basic melodic contour of the phrase is C D E D C. Therefore, the tension rises in bars 2-3, and the volume should be reduced in bars 1 and 4. Pay particular attention to ensure that the C in bar 4 does not become too loud.
  • Bars 5-8: Vary the volume compared to bars 1-4. It might be advisable to slightly reduce the volume compared to bars 1-4.
  • Bars 9-12: If this section is perceived as the point of highest tension in the piece, a slight increase in volume may be appropriate. However, given the character of this piece, excessively strong dynamics are not required.
  • Bars 13-16: Same as bars 1-4.

The overall sound quality might benefit from being soft and somewhat blurred. Reduce the volume of the left hand as much as possible.

Writer: Ooi, Kazurou