This is my all-time favorite classical song, and I would like to learn how to play, though I'm an intermediate player at best.

Any tips?

By whom is this written? That might help...

Well the only famous "Piano Sonata No.14" I know of is Beethoven "Moonlight" sonata, and the third movement is indeed marked "Presto Agitato".

Yes, I figured that. But hey, If I didn't say that BruceD would have beaten me to it.

Linds:

Welcome to the forum!

Wait a few more years to play the Presto Agitato. Work on pieces that are of appropriate difficulty first. Consult your piano teacher (I'm assuming you're taking lessons) before you tackle any major pieces like the 3rd movement of the Moonlight Sonata.

Good luck!

By any normal interpretation of "intermediate level pianist" this piece is too difficult yet.

Try the first 2 movements.

When you eventually get around to tackling the 3rd movement I think VERY slow practice is the key. The RH broken chords need to be very even with no sign of strain. You also need to be able to play them quietly so as to get the explosive effect of the following chords and very slow practice will help to achieve this.

I think memorising the piece (or at least the broken chords) will help you to concentrate on eliminating tension and getting them smooth.

Have you been through all your scales and arpeggios yet?

I have already tackled the first movement, I'm not the biggest fan of the second movement but I will try it. No, I'm not taking lessons, I am self-taught in all I do.

While being self-taught "in all [you] do" may be commendable, it is a dangerous route to follow in many instances, studying piano being one of them.

Regards,

BruceD is right.

For this movement is a treacherous one.

I advise you to get a teacher. And if you can't or won't, then you can at least follow the advice of most members around here.

This is a difficult movement, do not be discouraged though, but it is better to take easier pieces and ascend in difficulty. It will help you build more repertoire and will build your technique gradually. This is better than trying a very difficult piece and spending half of your life working on it, and eventually, not giving it its right.

Tell us more about the pieces you play and we will be happy to offer you suggestions of other pieces that may be comparable in difficulty.

i'd suggest you do 2nd movement first. i did first 2 movements, but not ready yet (at least i think) for the 3rd, although i did play through 1st page of that...(alright i admit) slowly.

the 2nd movement is great actually, if you like those counterpoint or polyphonic stuff. there're several voices going on there with rich sound textual... it's not however very easy, but at least it's short and slow.

btw, i think Kreisler is right, the 3rd movement has all that scale and arpeggio passages. if you're good at playing scales and arpeggios, then you would have less trouble with the 3rd movement.

This song is Moonlight Sonata's Third movement.

Albeit I am only 13 years old, I have attempted this song a year ago, and got through half of it. First of all you need to do a TON of arpeggio practice! Remembering it isn't hard, because if you remember a single chord, then you can play them as arpeggios, but they must be very fast.

Secondly, get your melodies straight! Their's the famous arpeggio section, then there's one which I describe as "Faeries dancing", and then a faster version where the bottom note changes only.

You must must must play them with very different dynamics and speed, if not, the song will sound horrible.

I dropped it because I couldn't get to practice enough because of my broken piano- some notes would come out as others (3 half steps up, to be precise.)

Go to youtube and watch wilhelm kempff play it for one of the best performances.

I wish you luck!

Wow! A 13 year old who knows who Wilhelm Kempff was; fantastic. I grew up listening to his recordings of the 32 Beethoven sonatas. I still think it's one of the best.

The 3rd movement is a tough one. A little profesional advice on fingering, espescially in the opening arpeggios and tremelos, can go a long way. Practise it slowly.

I knew who he was when I was 13...



There seems to be something going on here. A 13, 14 and 15-year-old all in this thread. All playing the Moonlight 3rd...