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Hi there
I really like the piece (Cannon in D) and would love to be able to play it. i am just wondering if it's too difficult for me (i dont have the sheet music either- if anyone could send me it that would be great!) i am between Grade2 and 3 (associated Board) is it likely the piece is too difficult? (is it difficult?) i have only being playing about 9 months.

hope you guys can help

James

i have the sheet music,tell me you e-mail

MY e-mail is eca02jc@shef.ac.uk
much appreciated

Thankyou

This is one of my most favorite pieces of music, on piano of course and I love it played by a small orchestra too.

Remember that this piece was not originally written for piano, so it's not like there's one standard solo piano arrangement. Because of that, you should be able to find an arrangement that is both at your level and beautiful to play.

The original is in D major, so that means F# and C#. Sometimes easy arrangements are in Cmajor, though just because the key has been changed doesn't mean it's easy. The example of Geogre Winston's very difficult (IMO) arrangement comes to mind, still in C major but maybe in some ways more difficult than a standard arrangement.

What makes this piece more or less difficult is whether or not the RH hand plays chords in the section that's all 16th notes, and what the LH is doing (is it whole or half note chords, quarter notes, eighth note arpeggios or something else?)

Also, if the piece is closer to the original, it will be longer because there are a few different sections. My repertiore includes a standard arrangement in D major. It doesn't have very many chords, but it follows the original closely, and at 5 pages has all the developments that make the Canon so lovely. The net result is that it probably sounds much more advanced than it really is, and even though it's easy, it's so beautiful that it's always a joy to play. I also struggle off and on with George Winston's arrangement, but it's too sloppy to be called a repertiore piece!

Monobrow, I hope you find some sheet music that suits you. Let us know how it goes.

Hi,
I think cannons are things they use in wartime. Canons are musical compositions aren't they?

Rob, Tchaikovsky may have blurred the lines a bit with that "1812" thing.

( I always considered it to be a high caliber piece though. )


Bob

Bob,
Lol. I bet there have been some tourists looking for Pachelbel's cannon in his hometown. I feel bad for his mom having to explain.

The Alfred's arrangement, the last piece in their "Adult All-In-One Course", Level 2 is in D major and is very do-able. At least the first couple pages are, so you get a good flavor of the piece, an idea of where it's going and what techniques you will need to get there, plus a little confidence boost besides as it starts out so easy. Might check out their rendition. I don't have it all down yet, but it's coming along...Liz

Lizzy, I have the version you're talking about and it's very doable. Also, I have a book called "I Used to Play Piano" and it has a version in C major that I've also played. It's still beautiful, even in a more simplified arrangement. At least I think so.

My teacher said that one of her kid students thought Pachelbel was Taco Bell. Now whenever I hear people discuss the canon, I think of Taco Bell's Canon.

Yo quiero Pachelbel?

Here is a great web site with many midi variations of Canon.

http://infinity.hispeed.com/Canon/index.htm

I have a variation done by David Lanz from his "Sacred Road Collection" that is really nice as well.

http://www.davidlanz.com/songbooks.html

Rodney

I'm sorta newbie on this, but I have the "Simply Classics" arrangement in D.

It's quite easy but has none of the 16th note sections, (but I managed to add them towards the end of the score,, and to think I laughed at the thought of playing those measures just a few months ago)

anyway, it is a lovely peice to work on.

Also try the George Winston arrangement... it's my personal favorite.

Staccato, I love G.W.'s arrangement!! I worked on it for a long time, never got it un-sloppy, so it's on hold, but I'm hoping to go back to it in a few months and get it ready in time for Xmas this year. That was my plan last year, but I never got it to the stage where I wanted to play it for anyone

I wish he made more of his music available in published scores... sigh.

I think Winston's version is in C however...

Staccato/ShiroKuro/kidblast - where does one get the George Winston sheet music?

Kidblast, G.W.'s version is indeed in C (but don't let anyone trick you into thinking that makes it easier!)

Ermo, G.W. apparently does not allow his original compositions and arrangements to be published (unfortuntely!!!) but on the anniversary edition of his "December" CD (IIRC) you can put the CD into a computer and it has a printable version of the sheet music for his Canon arrangement, that's where I got it.

This may be more common than you would think. My son came home from school a year or two ago and told me about the "Taco Bell Cannon" they listened to in music class...

I've had to learn most of his stuff by ear, and not all that well if I do say so..

I think he has two left hands,,, that's the only thing I can figure at this point.. :p

For those interested in George Winston music, a fellow by the name of Ben Baird has done a magnificent job of transcribing to sheet music a few of his pieces, including Variations on the Kanon which can be viewed at:

http://www.notyourtypical.com/music/

Scroll to the bottom of the page.

Since these are transcriptions and not actual copies of published works, there should be no copywrite issues.

Enjoy,

Rodney