Piano Pronto Movement 3: #9 Chopin Etude/Nocturne and Cadences

This post includes piano activities for Chopin's "Etude and Nocturne" in Piano Pronto Movement 3.

 

 Music Samples and History

Listen to part of the original versions of Chopin's songs. Can you hear the expressive rubato (stretching of rhythm)? Romantic music often includes a more flexible tempo.  Linger a little longer on the notes at the end of phrases as you practice these pieces.

Chopin Medley

Chopin Tristesse

Listen to this Classics for Kids Podcast to learn more about Romantic composer Frederic Chopin.

Optional: Click the Color.com link to Chopin online as you listen to the music.

Theory

Learning About Cadences

Listen to the samples of different types of cadences in this Teoria Cadences tutorial.

Perfect Authentic: V-I Sounds like the end.

Imperfect Authentic: V-I + inversion Sounds like the end...but less final than perfect.

Half: I-V Sounds unfinished like a question.

Deceptive: V-vi or V-IV   V chord deceives you and doesn't lead to I. 

Plagal: IV-I  aka "Amen" cadence

Then try the Theta Flash Cadences game to practice identifying cadences.

Hint: Perfect Authentic Cadences end with the tonic (1st note of the scale) both in the melody and in the root of the bass.

Rubato

Watch the video to learn How to Play with Rubato

After you have learned the notes and rhythm, focus on each step below as you practice.

Improvisation

Nocturne means "a short composition of a romantic or dreamy character suggestive of night, typically for piano." Can you improvise a song that makes you think of nighttime?

You could use the patterns in this sample Quiet Voices improvisation or choose your own.

Related Posts:

Musical Cadences and Free Poster