How to Play Chopin's Waltz in a minor B. 150 | Masterclass

Chopin's Waltz in a minor, B. 150 might be one of his easiest waltzes and in fact one of his simplest pieces to play, but it doesn't lack beauty, or nuance, and needs incredible finesse to play well. This masterclass is about elevating your performance this piece to the next level. We cover fingering solutions, how to better practice left hand jumps, what sets Chopin's waltzes apart from others, advice on pedaling, and creating great melodic shapes and keeping this repetitive piece interesting and beautiful through analysis of form. And at the very end, we talk through Chopin's use of mordants versus appoggiaturas, take a quick look at his original manuscript, and question just why today's pianists play things a certain way! I hope the lesson significantly helps you as you learn to master this wonderful piece of music!

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Charles Szczepanek is an international prize-winning pianist, has collaborated with GRAMMY Award winners, and has taught music for over 20 years to everyone from his next-door neighbor to finalists on NBC's America's Got Talent. Through Pianist Academy, he now brings that wealth of knowledge to you: the beginner, the intermediate, the professional, or the fellow music teacher.


Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:33 - Initial Play Through
01:25 - Brief History
02:56 - Navigating LH Jumps
11:38 - Waltz History and Establishing a Good Chopin Waltz Figure
18:21 - Pedaling Advice
25:28 - How to Shape the Melody
40:08 - Specific Fingering Choices
48:15 - Using Form to Help Create Contrast
1:02:10 - Mordants vs Appoggiaturas


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