...I told you that only after 2 months of playing the piano I've decided (yesterday, actually) to learn "La valse D'Amelie" by Yann Tiersen? Do you know what that is ? No? Take a look - here (it's one of the best played on YT)
Well, anyways I'm SO fascinated by this song, it's amazing, and I just want to play it ! I hope I can do it in a few months. I consider myself stubborn . But do YOU think I can do it? By the way I'm self taught, if I went to a teacher and say "teach me this" would they?
Oh I almost can play the slow intro part already... But the fast part... Gosh , I can only play two first bars only with my RH, or LH (seperately), or very slowly with both.
I'm thinking that this could be something like last year when I was learning to play the guitar, for example I thought it would take me about few months to learn the bar chords, but it turned out pretty easy. Or there would be a piece I'd like and think "gosh, this is so difficult" but then try it and learn it quicker than expected. Can this be similar?
I also have a few questions:
Where do I use the sustain pedal?
And take a look at the first two bars of the quick part (and notice HOW quick it is - 150 bpm!)

but my question is can I ignore the two voices? I mean not hold those dotted half notes while playing the quarter notes. I'm thinking no, but maybe I'm wrong...
And any kind of advice is appreciated!

Hi Evaldas

You should be able to hold the dotted half notes with the pedal.

Wonderful beautiful piece, but the middle section will be tough. Good luck...

I believe you can do you it if YOU believe you can do it

Remeber you don't have to play it at full speed right from the start. Slow it down to a pace you are comfortable with until you can play it correctly then speed it up.

Let us know of your progress

Oh thank you! Yeah, I'm trying to play it slowly . And I will let you know how it goes!

Evaldas,

For the left hand, try playing the D with your 5th finger and the chords with 4-2-1 or 3-2-1, which ever is easier for you.


Mel

Well good thing is that I have it WITH the fingering indicated

By the way should I learn it first each hand seperately? Or not..?

It doesnt matter if you are goint to hold pedal for entire measure. Although this is called cheating

In case you won't hold pedal, then you have to hold this note

Am I being dim here or in the RH, is that dotted crotchet/quarter-note tied until bar two a bit weird... There are two 'voices' in the RH but only half one is written in, in the first bar...?

In the first dotted half D note is hidden under a D eighth. In the second a dotted quarter D and C. And I have no idea what that slur/tie is doing there , it shouldn't be there, hehe!

Perhaps there another tied dotted D missing in bar 1...

Hmmm I wonder if its supposed to be played in the way a grace not would (the D in the second measureI mean).
This is when it's good to have a teacher or a friends who plays that can show you how to do it...

Hi Kymber - I think it's just coincidence that the two voices have the same note, so they are written next to eachother - as I see it the problem (if there is one at all) is in bar one - not all of the melody voice is written in, or at least that's how it seems to me; there are 4 voices - 3 are complete one is just half a bar (in bar 1)...

Ahaaaa! I see.
Thanks for the explanation

Here's taken right from the original score

By the way am I doing a big 'crime' , if instead of (LH) F-4 A-2 D-1 I use F-4 A-3 D-1?

OK, that is quite a bit different. With this version, you would play the D a second time on the second measure.

If 4 3 1 is more comfortable for you, there is no problems with making that type of a change. I would probably look ahead and see if there is any other reason for the 4 2 1 though.

If you do hold the d's (especially in the left hand) be very aware of any extra tension.

Rich

Tension? You mean it may hurt?

You hold the dotted half D the entire measure or just until the first chord?

Now I hold it the whole measure.
By the way I still don't understand how to use that pedal...

Is this piece for beginner, intermediate or advanced?

Whole measure.

This piece is probaly for a "late begginer".

I strongly suggest you to learn this piece without pedal first, and add it later when you will be able to play it well.

Seriously "late beginner" ? Then how does an "advanced" look like ?

It depends on what guidelines you are using for judging "levels." If you ask 5 piano teachers about levels, you may get 10 different answers.

Here's the sheet music from SheetMusicPlus.com. They rate it as a 5 (Intermediate).

http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_...ts+Item-_-Title

I would push it more towards late intermediate, because if you play it as written you are playing four notes at a time with your left hand, two with your right all with an octave stretch.

Rich

Late intermediate? No way!

Pieces like Rondo alla turca are considered as a late intermediate, so this piece i can be early intermediate, but certanly not late.

The fingering you describe, 4-3-1 for F-A-D is very awkward, so I would definitely recommend that you not use it.

Getting used to correct fingering is extremely important.

It's much better to use the indicated fingering, 4-2-1, or 3-2-1, if you want.

Are you holding down the D with your 5th finger as you play the chords?

Mel

Well actually yesterday I started using the EXACT fingering as indicated .
Yep I'm using the two voices, I mean I hold the D's with my 5 fingers.

I'm very excited that I read this thread. I've just bought a piano and am restarting after 15 years away. I listened to the post of La Valse d'Amelie that you put into your OP and absolutely loved it. I then did a search and have ended up buying two books of Yann Tiersen music to learn. It is really beautiful. Thanks for introducing it to me (and when they get here I'll have to re-read this thread for all of the suggestions!)

^ Fantastic.