Tchaikovsky - Waltz of the Flowers. Piano Tutorial. Lesson No. 75 (Video Course for Beginners)

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This is Lesson No. 75 ‘for Dessert’ from my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners. It will help you to analyze, practice and perform (mindfully and expressively!) a piano arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s beautiful “Waltz of the Flowers” from the ballet “The Nutcracker”.

Find out more about this Course and download the SCORE of today’s piece (with my detailed fingering and pedaling indications) on my blog:
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Video Highlights:
00:01. Introduction.
00:30. Celebrating the completion of Chapter 2 from our Course for Beginners! On our Christmas menu today...
01:19. A recapitulation of the most important things we learned in the first 74 Lessons.

05:04. "Waltz of the Flowers". Demonstration in the final tempo.

Detailed Analysis.
06:10. The Nutcracker - short history, concept and subject (with images from the ballet!)
10:02. Our piano arrangement of the Waltz. Tempo, time signature, tonality.
10:42. Form.
11:09. Structure of the musical text.
11:24. Phrases, dynamics, dramaturgy, instrumentation. Exposition.
16:23. Middle section.
17:28. Reprise.
17:45. Layout, rhythmical formulas, articulation.
18:12. Pedal.

Practice Guide.
18:19. Practicing the accompaniment. Sound character & key attack, phrasing and dynamics. Exposition.
20:50. Accompaniment - middle section.
22:21. Accompaniment - Reprise. Making legato between the bass note and the first interval.
23:27. Practicing the melody. Imitating the timbre of the French horns :). The importance of weighted playing for creating a deep, resonant and melodious sound.
24:39. A useful exercise for remembering the sensations involved in weighted playing.
26:08. Practicing the 1st phrase portamento.
27:22. Legato practice - 1st motive. The walking arm technique; intonation; phrasing.
29:56. 2nd motive. Fingering is the art of anticipation!
31:11. The 2nd phrase and its 3 motives.
31:55. Making a sudden 'switch' of attitude before playing this phrase. Imitating the timbre of the clarinet.
32:53. Step-by-step 'magnifying glass' practice tips for this phrase.
36:11. Being aware of a dangerous rhythmical trap!
36:41. Connecting the entire phrase and increasing the tempo.
36:53. The 3rd phrase (bars 19-25).
37:13. The 4th phrase (bars 26-34): the 2nd phrase of the clarinet.
39:13. Useful metaphors to help you express the atmosphere of the the transition between Exposition and middle section :).
39:35. Middle section. A few words about fingering.
40:45. Practice recommendations. 1st motive of the 1st phrase: imitating the timbre of the entire string section.
42:15. The 2nd motive - the playful flutes and oboes :).
42:59. The 2nd and 3rd phrases (bars 39-46). The phrasing micro-dynamics.
44:01. Practicing the 4th phrase - the dramatic culmination of the entire piece.
44:59. Don't forget about the anacrusis before bar 19!
45:33. The Reprise. Practicing the ending of the piece.
47:01. Practicing both hands together, with pedal. When (and why) we should add the sustain pedal to our practice.
47:31. Introduction and 1st phrase.
51:29. The 2nd (clarinet) phrase.
52:39. Phrases 3 and 4.
53:37. Middle section.
54:44. The Reprise.
55:33. The original ending from the orchestral version.
55:52. It's time for your independent practice! :P

56:08. Conclusion. A quick 'sneak peek' into our plans for the near future...

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