Another important thing about Fur Elise is that it is one of the first pieces a student can learn that actually sounds good. Gives the student a lot of confidence and encourages you to try harder pieces.
@@republiccloneproductions4196 yes, but newbies don’t know it is overplayed so they can feel a great progression from twinkle twinkle little star to old Macdonald to Fur Elise.
this is absolutely me! I started playing für Elise and it was soo cool. I got more self-confidence, and now, after a few years, I can play Yiruma - River flows in you, or Ludovico Einaudi- nuvole bianche
I am a 64 year old beginner. Took some hours given by a professional teacher. Must laugh. Legato is difficult. My teacher always had to say: DO NOT PLAY LEGATO. I had problems in playing a piece not in legato style. In the meanwhile I have mastered this tiny little problem! I like all your videos. Helped me a lot. I write from Germany. Best regards
Hi Jazer I am also a 64 year old beginner and love playing the piano. I started 3 years ago with no teacher but playing on average an hour everyday. I love all 5 pieces you suggested. I can play the whole Fur Elise and the Moonlight Sonata Mvt 1 but of course not too proficient yet. I haven’t tried the other 3 but they are on my bucket list. I started off with Pachelbel’s Canon in D as my first real complete piece when I first got my piano. I am still playing it every now and then, as there is always improvement needed in various areas. Then I tried Chopin’s Nocturne Op9no2 and finished it - which surprised myself as I thought I would never be able to do it. In between I would play some pop songs and some oldies, but I still prefer classical pieces as they sound beautiful and challenging. Canon in D is not a true classical piece isn’t it? I am currently playing Chopin’s Tristesse and Nocturne in C sharp minor Op Posth. Tristesse is very challenging for me in the middle part and perhaps too hard for a beginner but I am determined to learn it. The latter one is not too hard except it is a challenge to achieve fast finger speed towards the end. Am I too ambitious as a beginner, especially for someone over 60? Paul from Sydney Australia.
I want to add one thing to all of the elderly starter and readers here: It is not a question of age. It's all a question about practising. And the advantage what elder beginners have: We all want to play piano. Many of the kids are forced by parents to start playing piano. Probably we need longer for learning because our brain slowed down but we compensate that disadvantage with willing. To all starters: Never give up!
My parents gave me piano lessons starting at age 6. I loved playing and played every day until I went off to college. After college I started working and always lived in apartments where it was impossible to play. I inherited my childhood home and piano. My husband and I will retire there in the spring. A few weeks ago while there I came across the sheet music to fur Elise. Much to my utter astonishment after 52 years of not playing I discovered that I could still read music! I set out to learn the piece and at first it was really rough. But by the end of our two weeks there I could play it fairly well from memory. Still needs a lot of work but I am so very excited to discover the piano again. I can't wait to learn the 5 pieces you presented here once we move into the house. I am so grateful to my parents for giving me this gift of music. I'm so happy.
Hi Victoria. Your experience almost exactly matches mine. My parents sent me to piano lessons when I was 7 and I played on and off till I went to college. Then ny access to a piano ended when I married. After about 30 years a friend said he had a piano for sale. I bought it and started playing again. Everything came back very quickly. After a while I bought a yamaha clavinova piano which had a synthesiser A wonderful instrument, and I play a lot more. Especially as I can play with headphones and nobody else has to listen When I'm learning a new piece I work 2 bars at a time. Add this on to the section I already know, and when I gave it, move to the next 2, bars. It seems to work for me.
PS. I use the word 'beginner' loosely here. In an ideal situation, my students would learn many other simpler works before these 5. But not everyone has the time to dedicate themselves to a strict and long program of piano study. The point of this video is simply to show you some potential works that might interest you, whether you play seriously or for leisure. Good luck! 😀
I am a self taught 37 year old beginner. Bach Prelude I was the first thing I ever learned, Chopin Op 28 No 4 was the second thing, and Moonlight Sonata Mvt 1 was the third thing. I will learn the other two in the future, I think your choices were great but I am obviously biased! :)
I'm 18 and I have played piano only for 2 months without teacher (and I don't look the piano so it's quite hard sometimes) . I've started to learn für elise because I love this song, it's hard but doable. I think your choices are great, even for a beginner if he's motivated. So thank you so much for your video because I love these songs. Now I know what I'm gonna learn after für elise. (sorry for my english I'm french)
Great video. I'm a 52 year old beginner. My teacher stared me with scales and Czerny, and Gymopedie No. 1 is my first piece, which I just completed. I'll start working on the Bach Prelude in C Major here in the next week or two. Lots of fun for me and I'm enjoying the learning process. Thanks for the additional suggestions. The Moonlight Sonata would be my next favorite.
Thanks Jazer, this is great! Could you please say more about "Not everyone has the time to dedicate themselves to a strict and long program of piano study"? Are you suggesting that most people, if they want to or need to for any reason, could just kinda skip some levels and try stuff that's way harder than their current ability, like shifting into an altogether different gear to proceed much quicker in their piano advancement? Seems to me some people might do better to learn level by level, getting incrementally harder, rather than "skipping" some levels, if that's what you're suggesting. I'm 48, and would really like to advance my skills quickly, but it feels sometimes maddening and other times downright impossible. Any counsel would be appreciated :)
As a73 yr old beginner, I find your videos really helpful . I cannot wait to try these beautiful tunes, although I know Fur Elise a little. Thankyou for pleasant lessons and tips.
Good for you. We are never too old. I began lessons at 35. I took lessons for eight years. Then at 56 I downsized house and couldn't take my 7.5 Yamaha grand. This year I mentioned to my husband how much I missed playing so I am starting again on a 6' Kawai GX2 that I just revived for my 73rd birthday a week ago. I've learned more from Jazer than in all my years before. Good luck and enjoy. Piano is relaxing and keeps our aging brains engaged.
I took piano lessons for six years, starting when I was 9, (I'm 72 now.) I just finished memorizing Moonlight Sonata first movement. I really like your tutorial. Hopefully there are many more to come. Keep up the good work.
I’m on the same path as you are. I’m 68, retired teacher, recently widowed and went back to piano to heal my soul. I’m currently working on Moonlight Sonata and loving every minute of it. I try to practice everyday for more than an hour.
i took piano for 3 years when I was 9 too! I'm 36 now, and trying to teach myself the authentic version of Claire de Lune- but I might switch to his first number here Preludio 1 - to get sharpened up
Time stamps: 1:04 Prelude in C (J.S. Bach) 3:14 Gymnopedie No. 1 (E. Satie) 5:58 Fur Elise (Beethoven) 8:39 Prelude no. 4 in E minor (Chopin) 11:27 Moonlight Sonata Mvt. 1 (Beethoven)
As a kid, the first beginner piece that I really enjoyed learning and playing was Bach’s Minuet in G Major. I can still play it by memory until now! That said, I wish I learned how to play these pieces also. I love that you explained why you chose them and why you think they’re perfect for beginners. Thanks for providing a link to the sheet music, Jazer! Your channel is awesooome.
5: 1:04 Bach Prelude in C Dreamy Chords and arpeggios 4: 3:14 Gymnopedie No 1 by Satie Slow, calm, peaceful Volume control between hands, left hand needs to be quieter 3: 5:57 Fur Elise by Beethoven Know. Legato (smooth, notes are connected), moving around the keyboard 2: 8:40 Chopin- Prelude No.4 in E Minor Dark, haunting, slow Chords, quick notes, volume control between hands (left needs to be quieter) 1: 11:27 Moonlight Sonata (Mvt 1) by Beethoven Dark, haunting, slow Right hand split voicing (different volume control with 1 hand) chords, C# minor (flats and sharps)
Für Elise, then Canon in D and the Moonlight sonata were the first pieces I learned as beginner and it boosted my knowledge immensely. I skipped most of the "true" beginners pieces, because they were just boring and taught me a fraction, due to lack of interest. I picked some tough ones and stuck with them and try and learn them bit by bit, measure by measure, until they sounded decent, then refined the sound while recording myself. It was a true miracle to me, how quickly you can learn.
@@oBseSsIoNPC thanks, can u tell me how u learned it? i want to learn the first movement to impress my parents, but i just don't know how, i would really appreciate it if u tell me
I did not touch my piano for at least 5 years because of wrong feeling that solving problems is more important than time squandering for playing music. I was a beginner at nearly 70. Today I woke up and rushed to my piano. At my 75 😊 You woke me up! I am alive and happy when I play it even for myself! Thank you, teacher!
ditto ! At age 66 after nearly two decades away, I broke through my huge mental barrier having memorized Debussy's Clair de Lune. And now, I am learning to sight read ... not having known that sight reading is very specific skill that needs to be treated as such.
just learning the moonlight sonata. gosh it's SO beautiful & calming & the sense of achievement when those notes sing from the fingers makes all the practise worthwhile. Thanks for the advice!
Fur Elise is easy to learn but difficult to master in terms of fluidity. I’d practice over and over again but still cannot seem to get through the rut of playing with emotions. Maybe…I’m just practicing wrong.
@@pterranadon Then I would advise her not to speak in terms of 'learning the Sonata'. The second movement is not exceptionally difficult technically -- but playing it well takes intelligence in interpretation beyond either the first or the third.
I was a bit surprised at the choice of pieces. I was expecting easier songs as "beginner" pieces. I've played Elise, Moonlight, Gym and a bit of the Chopin. Many people don't know about the middle section of Fur Elise which I found to be a big jump in difficulty. Will revisit them all.
Beginner doesn't seem to mean what people usually think. I've seen books that say "absolute beginner" that is more in.line with what you'd think of as Beginner. I purchased a book that said it was Easy and it was just a little easier than these pieces.
I've been playing for five years now, completely self taught. Im pretty proud to say that I can play some pretty difficult stuff, at least for me, but I never really learned the basics 😅 this is a great video for me to "catch-up" a bit on the beginning part of my journey that I didn't really get without a teacher!
Damn that’s pretty cool! I’m also trying to learn the piano for fun by myself, however I already have musical knowledge prior to me picking up the piano (I also play violin).
@@misaphine I am a self taught player too. Best way to start for me was starting with Alfred Piano book for adults. It teaches everything you want to know from notes to fingering in an easy and steady pace.
Played them all as a 14 year old beginner, not because my teacher gave them to me to learn, but because I found them among my grandmother's sheet music and liked them. I memorised them, and 60 years later, still play them periodically.
Thank you so much I am 13 years old and have been playing piano for 6 months without a teacher, nor lessons. I know how to play fur elise and moonlight sonta and more. Thank you because I was running out of ideas what to play and now I have ideas to get better!
I'm 14 and self-learning too. My playing is pretty good but I mostly rely on synthesias which is a problem, I know. Do you guys have some tips, videos, or websites maybe that you can suggest to get me started on reading sheet music?
I learned how to play Fur Elise in like 3 days so I definitely recommend trying. I’m a new beginner and ofc I’m way too slow for the actual song but it’s quite nice to be able to play it. There’s a beginner tutorial that has Lessons 1-3 for the different parts and it was very helpful and straight on. I definitely suggest it.
As a starter too I definitely learned the first part with an optimal speed in 4 days 😁 (I stopped to the tonality change part: it’s not difficult tho it’s just bcs I need to work on some big basics and start self teaching my self how to read sheets (ez ones ofc))
I started taking piano lessons when I was 7 (I'm now 84 years old) and I got to say, this is very gut für beginners. My Englisch is bad because Im sorry (german) :(. Play more!
Me too exactly like this - except I'm still practicing them :-) I think he uses Bach's definition of 'beginner' -:) How funny to find those exact choices here
Didn’t have any formal lessons until class piano in college which was just focused on fingerings for scales, but! In being self taught 3 of these 5 were in my practice time. And now later in my piano life, not being classically focused I am still fascinated with the musical journey in Chopin’s Prelude in E Minor. The pivot halfway through when you are almost back home but restart the journey instead and then finally reach the satisfying resolution.
Jazer, I'm an adult working to teach myself piano. I just wanted to say that your videos are absolute treasure chests of information and motivation. I think they are equal in value to any of the other well-known music teaching videos on RUclips. You also have a very friendly and accessible manner, which makes watching your channel a pleasure. I could only wish your channel had hundreds of videos covering every facet of piano learning. I hope you never burn out on making videos. You are a real help to anyone teaching themselves music.
I just inherited my great grandmother's piano from my mother who just passed. I learned a bit in high school, but am coming back to it now that I have access to a piano again. It's been so healing for me during my grieving process. This is a great video, and I'm putting all of these songs on my list of things to learn. Thank you so much!
Sorry for your loss. Great heirloom to have. You can spend hours playing the same instrument that your mother and grandmother played. That seems exceptionally fortunate, to me.
So very sorry for your loss ... but ecstatic you now have access to the piano. How cool izzat?? Play something special for them both. Sending hugs, Char in San Diego
@charlenenowicki9671 Thank you 💕 I've taken it upon myself to do some repairs, so it will be a while before I play it again. But I believe I found my great grandmother's initials on the action inside from when she did repairs. And some shiny pennies from the 1940s under the keys. Really neat
You play with great expression and your interpretations are ones that someone could not go wrong imitating. Very valuable lessons and you’re not a jerk.
For me, Moonlight Sonata and Fur Elise are my favourites from this collection. As others have suggested, Fur Elise is relatively easy to learn. I look forward to learning how to play Moonlight Sonata and can see that the right hand split voicing will take some time to master.
chopin prelude you are an excellent teacher. I agree with all of technique that I have seen you endorse. I happen to have learned all 5 of these pieces in my instructional phase. I have played solo piano professionally for almost 50 years. I really didn't like conservatory training but it forced me to do things I would never have done left to my own devices. Keep up the good work. I wish I had had a beginning instructor as enlightened as you are.
I am at 48 years old beginner I just took two hours and I learned it well it was so easy and fun what does some complicated things that I didn't understand but I took some few hours and I understand so I give it thumbs up and I say thanks for your help
4:10 when he’s talking about volume control between two hands I knew there’s such a thing. Some people comments on some piano playing videos that That was Editing Skills. Well it’s Not, sir, it’s some Piano Skill right there.
Those people know nothing about piano playing! Don't listen to them. It's very normal that some notes will need to be louder and more accented than others, especially if those notes fill a melodic purpose. This means that those notes are more important and need to be heard above the other ones. This doesn't mean to always play melodies super loud, but to play everything in a certain level that will take it all into consideration and give a pleasent feeling to the ear while also making sure that the melody is the focus of the piece, if it needs to be.
It’s such a great feeling to come here and find this beautiful community in the comments, we all have the same goal and it’s amazing to see how we share our achievements and the way we try to help others with our comments. I’m so glad I discovered your channel.
Moonlight is my favorite, I started playing 4 months ago teaching myself through your videos and some music theory videos. I am finally ready to start learning this piece! Thank you for all your tutoring!
I feel so lucky to have found world class teacher here in RUclips. I spent years of lessons and the amount of improvement I learned from you has been really good ( that’s what I thought) thank you Jazer!! 🙏
Fur Elise still sounds just as beautiful after hearing and playing it probably thousands of times, as it did the first time I heard it. As does Moonlight Sonata. The music world just wouldn't be the same without them. Two great pieces that will give a student a real sense of accomplishment.
These are my 5 pieces you shouldn't skip, before to play the pieces of this video 😁 - Minuet in G mayor - C. Petzold (Bach) - Sonata no. 19 in g minor op. 49 no.1 - L. V. Bethoven - The sick doll - P. Tchaikovsky - Arabesque - J. F. Burgmüller - Waltz - D. Kabalevsky
Played them all early on as a student, and I still love playing them all! Nice to be able to sit down and just play something that isnt a lot of “work” just playing to truly relax
I love this collection and most of all the skills progression proposed! I am beginner and just started and I thought impossible to jump across chords for Gymnopedie n. 1.. but in only 4 days of practice, every day my body remembered how to move and today I have finally completed first line several times 100% accuracy 🎉 just balanced practice and magically you see music flowing from yourself! Thanks for your amazing videos!
What a wonderful teacher you are. And thank you for the crossover. I have played this piece all of my live (on and off) and I am now 72 years old and have arthritis. It is hard to play the 9ths and 10ths that I had no trouble playing as a 20 year old. Thank you.
Wow, it was 5 months ago I watched this. Finally learnt all 5 pieces. It has improved my piano playing soooooooo much, thank you very much, for this video.
@@TheMartikaa I had learned for a few years, a few decades ago, but wasn't very focused at that stage of my life, so had a basic understanding but couldn't play well. But since the internet tutors have come onto the scene with all their great tips it has made piano playing incredibly enjoyable. I started again with PianoTV about 1 year before looking at Jazer Lee. It was a fairly big leap for me to learn the 5 piano pieces but it has become a great basis for learning other classical pieces.
@@TheMartikaa The easier one's are Fur Elise (just first part) and 1st Gymnopedie (just first part). The first part for Moonlight is also easier too. All the best. I also love applying the 'A.A.R.' absolute accuracy rule. Play the piece with absolute accuracy. It doesn't matter if it's out of time or too slow. You will speed up with practise and get back in time too. Enjoy!
My first piece was Elise at the age of 74. Then I learned Chopin Nocturne no 2. (Easy version) My favourite. I could play both by heart after 3 months. I've now been playing the Prelude from Bach but in duo with a flute or violin playing the melody of Ave Maria by Gounod. Absolutely the most beautiful!
This helped A LOT! I started playing piano about 2 weeks ago and have only learned Moonlight Sonata so far, allbeit an easy version. But now I am super stoked to widen my horizon with these pieces :D Edit: I think my favourite must be Either Prelude No. 4 or Moonlight Sonata, but I also adore Gymnopedie. In short I love them all.
Ah, you're taking me back to my childhood with this video. Love all of these pieces! The two Beethoven ones are probably my faves. Lovely to play on a rainy evening or when I'm tired.
The chopin Waltz on A minor is not bad for beginners, good for learning chords, dynamics, metronome and it’s very beautiful in my opinion. Another tip is to try to learn a piece by heart. I know that it takes time but then you’ll actually learn everything that the piece has to offer for you. It also helps you in the future if you see similar things in the next piece you’ll learn. You don’t have to learn every piece by heart but maybe one in your skill level range.
I am a 59 year old beginner and learning Moonlight sonata and am happy that you had Moonlight as your number one choice. It is an incredibly beautiful piece. You are so right about voicing and developing the legato keystrokes. Thank you for your thorough explanation. I have subscribed now and will keep viewing your channel.
Generally very happy with this list! 5: done and recorded. 4: just started learning. 3: not a beginner piece except the main theme. Will learn it when I’m ready. 2: done and recorded, not uploaded yet. 1: done and recorded. Can you post 6-10 next? 😀
It’s crazy how Fur Elise was my first serious piece I’ve ever learned, then it was more and more of Bach and Beethoven, might learn the Turkish March some every other day
yeah i learned fur elise when i was around 12 i felt like a total genius, looking back it was a pretty beginner friendly song but, i'm still happy about it haha
Really! It is NOT a song if it were it would be for voice and piano. Some people! Is Beethovens Hammerklavier or 3rd Symphony a song ? Don't disparage it.
I really appreciate your thoughtfulness into explaining how these pieces will develope my pianist skulls. I find that it helps me focus on what's important.
I've watched quite alot of RUclips channels for beginners, yours is one of my favorites. You explain it really well in a very calm way. Keep up the good work, it is really helpful and foremost: approachable :)
Thank you for sharing with your tips, Jazer! I finally know the name of the pieces! I learned piano for 3 years when I was in teenager and I have started picking it up again recently. Besides those 5 pieces that you suggested, I also like Canon in D and River Flow in You. In my opinion, I think those are not hard to learn, especially the chord on left hand keep repeating.
As a beginner (started 3 months ago), I only know how to play with one hand for Fur Elise, Moonlight, and Turkish March (Mozart), I don't play the part that is supposed to be for my left hand.
I love the Chopin piece, It’s also my favorite. I’m starting to play again after 30 years, I’m apprehensive but also excited because I played for 15 years before that and I don’t know what I’ll be able to do. Wish me luck 😁
@Gary Allen i played for 5 intense years as a kid but then i quit for 7 years (to focus on studying) and now im back at it but i feel I have lost everything. The only thing i can still do is read sheet music. I have been playing for a couple months now and cant say much is coming back :(
I like your selection, but if I may, I'd like to add just one more, that being Mozart, K545, 2nd movement. I found it to be excellent for developing a solid left hand arpeggio technique. I'm aware that a lot of beginners' pieces have block chords in the left hand; this takes that to the next level. It's also good for studying chord progressions. All around, it's challenging, yet very rewarding.
This is a great video for a complete beginner such as myself. I have been given an 1840s Detroit church harmonium that has been in my family for about 50 years. Having been bought over to the UK when it was built for a church now knocked down. At 60 years old myself I thought I should really learn to play it. I am making good progress using your videos but I had no clue as to the first proper pieces to learn…until watching this video. Four os the pieces I really like anyway so it is giving more joy learning them. Whether they sound good played on a harmonium is another thing… but I am enjoying it and the neighbours dont seem to mind either 😂. Thank you!
Thank you for putting this list together. I was looking for something like this to get me polished. I am currently learning the moonlight Sonata, since is one of my favorites. So far going bar by bar practicing each hand, I'm on the second page. Beautiful selection you have here. I made note and will be printing them so I can learn them. Thank you.
I love all these piano pieces. These will be on my to play list. I am going to resume my piano learning after a 20 year break and hopefully I will soon be able to progress. Great videos here on RUclips Jazer . Thanks.
Back in the 70's, when I was a kid, my mother had an alarm clock that played Für Elise every single morning to wake us up to prepare me to go to school. I have only recently started to play piano. Needless to say, I will NEVER play this music!
You're a brilliant demonstrator and teacher of piano. These 5 pieces really are fantastic for all aspiring pianists to learn. As a number 6 piece, I'd also include Mozart Sonata K545 second movement that's of around grade 4 standard. It's brilliant for teaching legato, phrasing, balance between the hands and chords with its beautiful broken chord accompaniment. Keep up the great work and I'm really glad that I've found your excellent channel.
As someone who is self teaching the piano, I really appreciate these videos. They give me a perspective on the hidden components or lessons of learning music to which I otherwise would’ve never been exposed. Thanks for the great videos🎉😊
This was an excellent video Jazer. I will always consider myself a beginner even though I've played for years, but never seriously. I agree with your overall assessment, though I do think there's a section of Fur Elise that is a little beyond beginner level - but not by much. If you're talking about the main theme and only that, then spot on. BTW, the Chopin Etude is also my favorite.
Thanks a million!!! I learned all these at age 11 and have not played since. I started playing yesterday, after almost a 50 years pause, and while all these have been with me my entire life, I forgot their name. Now I have them and can start over!
Wow, great video. I learned Gnossienne No.1 and your comments on hand volume control really helped me a lot as this piece is very much like Gymnopedie. I sound more flowing and polished. I wish you had an individual tutorial for each of the pieces. We could spend a year together learning all the songs. Thanks for your help.
I learned Gymnopedia 1 and Gnossienne 1 before searching for other piano pieces that I could learn and play but which weren’t cliche at this point. Love Satie’s work. The man was a poet of the piano and a genius.
I'm completely self taught, I've been playing for about 5 years (since I was 8, 13 now)... I stopped for a couple of months in between just before covid, got back in during covid.. I learnt für Elise (or Therese idk) in 2 nights, and I was so proud of myself... To any other self taught beginner out here reading this, don't give up... Try try. Download apps and watch tutorials that can help u.. self learning is hard for some people... Most self learners tend to not learn the chords and stuff, just directly go on to playing their favourite songs (not the classics).. avoid that. First try the classical peices. They help u build up in your hand movements (both hands) Hope this helped!
Be careful though! The full Standchen is actually a grade 8 piece, though there have been many arrangements of just the easier beginning section. I’d encourage everyone interested to listen to the full version, it’s gorgeous. Currently refining it in practice myself at the moment !
@@moozycarrots to be honest I don't know how these pieces are classified but moonlight sonata was there. standchen was given to me by my teacher in grade 3. I don't know if there's a more complicated version but I have this one: musescore.com/zildjian_viray/st-ndchen-serenade-f-schubert-arr-liszt-edition-zz-urtext
@@louised9837 yeah that’s literally a grade 8 piece lol. In the AMEB (Australian grading system) it’s arranged slightly differently, where the top note from the left-hand chords are played by the right hand (entirely unnecessary IMO, but it does make it a little more difficult for volume control and coordination). You’re amazing if you were able to play that in grade 3! There’s some tricky rhythms and fingerings in there
I love your way of explaining things, and demonstrating them, so easy to understand. You have the art of teaching. Thank you for the video! Those are all beautiful pieces to learn.
Thank you for this video. I am 70, began at 67. I knew absolutely nothing, zero about music. But I was always drawn to the piano and yearned to play. I’m working my way thru the Alfred Adult series. I love these pieces that you have chosen. I feel less intimidated since you have described them as valuable for beginners to learn. So I will work my way through them. I like the way your lessons are presented, your explanations and your choice of pieces. Again, thank you.
I am a couple years older than you and I feel that our memories are not as good as many years ago. I prefer to play by memory without looking at the scores just like the recitals. So nearly everyday I need to practice a few pieces which I love most. Without regular practicing I will forget part of them. Now I am playing digital piano with headphone on so my family won't get bored in listening to the same nearly everyday. I am playing electric violin too and I feel is a bit more easier as I only need to memorize the melody.
@@rogercheng123 I definitely agree about our memory insufficiency. When I began I practiced every day because I’d forget what I had learned if I didn’t. I still do daily practice unless life interferes. The progress is slow but it still is progress! Congrats with learning another instrument. That’s quite remarkable!
The insane thing about Chopin prelude in E minor, is that I just watched a video of an incredible pianist named Seymour Bernstein break apart this piece and the extremely complex and beautiful articulation that is required to play it as truly intended. Even if it does still sound amazing with just basic piano skills. This is what is most fascinating to me about piano, it’s that notes are meaningless without articulation and pouring your soul into a piece
That’s why you’ll hear professional pianists tell you the hardest pieces to perfect are the slow ones, because everything is audible to the audience and the challenge isn’t mechanical (professional pianists have the best mechanics, after all), but more emotional and expressive. Another great example of this type of demand in Chopin’s works is his etude op 10 no 6 which requires a lot of focus if you want to create the atmosphere and effects that the wandering voice, lead voice, and bass voice want to make.
I have been playing piano for 2 almost 3 years now and I already know 3 out of the 5 songs in the video, I will learn the other 2 starting as soon as possible, I didnt even know they existied but now Im hooked.
Jazzer, I am a piano teacher, and I love and appreciate your videos more than I can say. I have been including them in my students’ lesson books as they fit with whatever we are learning in a particular piece. Occasionally I even play one during a lesson. You are a very articulate and accomplished professional. Thank you so much!
Your dynamics and sense of timing are perfect! Thank you for all the lessons. I’m learning a lot. Is there a chance you could upload videos of each of these full classical pieces to play along with, and to observe your techniques even if they aren’t tutorial videos? Thanks again!
Yeah if it's him playign I could be confident that it'd be a perfect source to reference from.... from the fingering to dynamics and timing etc. No need to search for countless videos and be confused which one is the proper one to reference
I am a 15 year old and I been playing for over 9 years and to be honest I never played all of this beautiful amazing pieces except for fur elise 😅 bc always thought that I wasn't in that level yet.
Be adventurous, challenge yourself, you can surpass any level one at a time. Please don’t limit yourself, onwards and upwards, there’s no other way to go!😀
As a beginner I would agree. I have learned all but Fur Elise. It’s on the list. I thought the Satie piece was a bit harder than the Chopin piece. Canon in D is a must. Love the channel. 🎹 🎶🎼✌🏾
Hello, I am a relative newcomer to the piano (76 years old), self-taught at the moment, and I strongly agree with your suggestion that you learn 1 or two bars and repeat 7 times. I would like to add that I have found two helpful additions to this idea. 1. Don’t stop at the end of a bar, but play the next one or two notes, which gives you something to latch onto when you play the next two bars. 2. When you have secured a few 1 or two bar pieces, take the times and play them together, so you can seamlessly play all the bars before you forget them. I appreciate your videos and I am seeking a teacher now that most people have had two Covid jabs by now.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Which of these 5 pieces was your favourite?
My favorite is Fur elise causr my mom likes it and the melody is simple!
Moonlight sonata first movement … the best ever 👌🏼
@Aleksander Skytte good luck 🎹
#1 is my favourite.
Moonlight Sonata, Chopin and Satie❤️😍☺️
Another important thing about Fur Elise is that it is one of the first pieces a student can learn that actually sounds good. Gives the student a lot of confidence and encourages you to try harder pieces.
Yes i agree, it sounds good although id say it is a bit overplayed but still doesnt affect its beauty
@@republiccloneproductions4196 yes, but newbies don’t know it is overplayed so they can feel a great progression from twinkle twinkle little star to old Macdonald to Fur Elise.
@@SimonAElson true, its a good way for beginners to learn and continue playing piano
This comment is so relatable
this is absolutely me! I started playing für Elise and it was soo cool. I got more self-confidence, and now, after a few years, I can play Yiruma - River flows in you, or Ludovico Einaudi- nuvole bianche
I am a 64 year old beginner. Took some hours given by a professional teacher. Must laugh. Legato is difficult. My teacher always had to say: DO NOT PLAY LEGATO. I had problems in playing a piece not in legato style. In the meanwhile I have mastered this tiny little problem! I like all your videos. Helped me a lot. I write from Germany. Best regards
Love it! Good luck for your practice Andreas
Hi Jazer I am also a 64 year old beginner and love playing the piano. I started 3 years ago with no teacher but playing on average an hour everyday. I love all 5 pieces you suggested. I can play the whole Fur Elise and the Moonlight Sonata Mvt 1 but of course not too proficient yet. I haven’t tried the other 3 but they are on my bucket list. I started off with Pachelbel’s Canon in D as my first real complete piece when I first got my piano. I am still playing it every now and then, as there is always improvement needed in various areas. Then I tried Chopin’s Nocturne Op9no2 and finished it - which surprised myself as I thought I would never be able to do it. In between I would play some pop songs and some oldies, but I still prefer classical pieces as they sound beautiful and challenging. Canon in D is not a true classical piece isn’t it? I am currently playing Chopin’s Tristesse and Nocturne in C sharp minor Op Posth. Tristesse is very challenging for me in the middle part and perhaps too hard for a beginner but I am determined to learn it. The latter one is not too hard except it is a challenge to achieve fast finger speed towards the end. Am I too ambitious as a beginner, especially for someone over 60? Paul from Sydney Australia.
paul lau after three years of experience I wouldn’t rate you as a beginner
I am too a 62 years old beginner 😊
I want to add one thing to all of the elderly starter and readers here: It is not a question of age. It's all a question about practising. And the advantage what elder beginners have: We all want to play piano. Many of the kids are forced by parents to start playing piano. Probably we need longer for learning because our brain slowed down but we compensate that disadvantage with willing. To all starters: Never give up!
My parents gave me piano lessons starting at age 6. I loved playing and played every day until I went off to college. After college I started working and always lived in apartments where it was impossible to play. I inherited my childhood home and piano. My husband and I will retire there in the spring. A few weeks ago while there I came across the sheet music to fur Elise. Much to my utter astonishment after 52 years of not playing I discovered that I could still read music! I set out to learn the piece and at first it was really rough. But by the end of our two weeks there I could play it fairly well from memory. Still needs a lot of work but I am so very excited to discover the piano again. I can't wait to learn the 5 pieces you presented here once we move into the house. I am so grateful to my parents for giving me this gift of music. I'm so happy.
Hi Victoria. Your experience almost exactly matches mine. My parents sent me to piano lessons when I was 7 and I played on and off till I went to college. Then ny access to a piano ended when I married. After about 30 years a friend said he had a piano for sale. I bought it and started playing again. Everything came back very quickly. After a while I bought a yamaha clavinova piano which had a synthesiser
A wonderful instrument, and I play a lot more. Especially as I can play with headphones and nobody else has to listen
When I'm learning a new piece I work 2 bars at a time. Add this on to the section I already know, and when I gave it, move to the next 2, bars. It seems to work for me.
PS. I use the word 'beginner' loosely here. In an ideal situation, my students would learn many other simpler works before these 5. But not everyone has the time to dedicate themselves to a strict and long program of piano study. The point of this video is simply to show you some potential works that might interest you, whether you play seriously or for leisure. Good luck! 😀
I am a self taught 37 year old beginner. Bach Prelude I was the first thing I ever learned, Chopin Op 28 No 4 was the second thing, and Moonlight Sonata Mvt 1 was the third thing. I will learn the other two in the future, I think your choices were great but I am obviously biased! :)
I'm 18 and I have played piano only for 2 months without teacher (and I don't look the piano so it's quite hard sometimes) . I've started to learn für elise because I love this song, it's hard but doable. I think your choices are great, even for a beginner if he's motivated. So thank you so much for your video because I love these songs. Now I know what I'm gonna learn after für elise. (sorry for my english I'm french)
Great video. I'm a 52 year old beginner. My teacher stared me with scales and Czerny, and Gymopedie No. 1 is my first piece, which I just completed. I'll start working on the Bach Prelude in C Major here in the next week or two. Lots of fun for me and I'm enjoying the learning process. Thanks for the additional suggestions. The Moonlight Sonata would be my next favorite.
Great video! Really really like your style of teaching, glad I found you 😃❤
Thanks Jazer, this is great!
Could you please say more about "Not everyone has the time to dedicate themselves to a strict and long program of piano study"? Are you suggesting that most people, if they want to or need to for any reason, could just kinda skip some levels and try stuff that's way harder than their current ability, like shifting into an altogether different gear to proceed much quicker in their piano advancement? Seems to me some people might do better to learn level by level, getting incrementally harder, rather than "skipping" some levels, if that's what you're suggesting. I'm 48, and would really like to advance my skills quickly, but it feels sometimes maddening and other times downright impossible. Any counsel would be appreciated :)
As a73 yr old beginner, I find your videos really helpful . I cannot wait to try these beautiful tunes, although I know Fur Elise a little. Thankyou for pleasant lessons and tips.
All the best Marilyn
Good for you. We are never too old. I began lessons at 35. I took lessons for eight years. Then at 56 I downsized house and couldn't take my 7.5 Yamaha grand. This year I mentioned to my husband how much I missed playing so I am starting again on a 6' Kawai GX2 that I just revived for my 73rd birthday a week ago. I've learned more from Jazer than in all my years before. Good luck and enjoy. Piano is relaxing and keeps our aging brains engaged.
Good for you, best wishes for your progress!
@@g.970 can I have your Yamaha grand?
This was the first piece I learned at 74 and could play the first part by heart after two months.
Learning now the most difficult part.
I took piano lessons for six years, starting when I was 9, (I'm 72 now.) I just finished memorizing Moonlight Sonata first movement. I really like your tutorial. Hopefully there are many more to come. Keep up the good work.
W gramps
Well done James, Moonlight Sonata is one of my favourites and I didn't get that far with it!
I’m on the same path as you are. I’m 68, retired teacher, recently widowed and went back to piano to heal my soul. I’m currently working on Moonlight Sonata and loving every minute of it. I try to practice everyday for more than an hour.
Ha ha..bravo!
i took piano for 3 years when I was 9 too! I'm 36 now, and trying to teach myself the authentic version of Claire de Lune- but I might switch to his first number here Preludio 1 - to get sharpened up
Time stamps:
1:04 Prelude in C (J.S. Bach)
3:14 Gymnopedie No. 1 (E. Satie)
5:58 Fur Elise (Beethoven)
8:39 Prelude no. 4 in E minor (Chopin)
11:27 Moonlight Sonata Mvt. 1 (Beethoven)
Thank you
Thank you!
Thank you!!
❤️ Thanks. Do you know where I can download the sheets?
@@learnchineseenglishthrough5738 imslp
As a kid, the first beginner piece that I really enjoyed learning and playing was Bach’s Minuet in G Major. I can still play it by memory until now! That said, I wish I learned how to play these pieces also. I love that you explained why you chose them and why you think they’re perfect for beginners. Thanks for providing a link to the sheet music, Jazer! Your channel is awesooome.
my first too!
mine toooo
5: 1:04 Bach Prelude in C
Dreamy
Chords and arpeggios
4: 3:14 Gymnopedie No 1 by Satie
Slow, calm, peaceful
Volume control between hands, left hand needs to be quieter
3: 5:57 Fur Elise by Beethoven
Know. Legato (smooth, notes are connected), moving around the keyboard
2: 8:40 Chopin- Prelude No.4 in E Minor
Dark, haunting, slow
Chords, quick notes, volume control between hands (left needs to be quieter)
1: 11:27 Moonlight Sonata (Mvt 1) by Beethoven
Dark, haunting, slow
Right hand split voicing (different volume control with 1 hand) chords, C# minor (flats and sharps)
Gymnopedia is hard for beginners no? Big jumps and the chords need tons of control
@Black Mage These were just notes for me; I tried to summarize what he said to reference later. I haven't played any but Fur Elise yet.
@@TheGunguy461 oh cool
I am playing for 1 day and I've learned it. Though I can play only with 1 hand, with 2 it is too tough for me rn
@@baldeagle6531 Cool, yeah, adding the 2nd hand is tough for me too.
Für Elise, then Canon in D and the Moonlight sonata were the first pieces I learned as beginner and it boosted my knowledge immensely. I skipped most of the "true" beginners pieces, because they were just boring and taught me a fraction, due to lack of interest. I picked some tough ones and stuck with them and try and learn them bit by bit, measure by measure, until they sounded decent, then refined the sound while recording myself. It was a true miracle to me, how quickly you can learn.
Omg me too but I learned moonlight sonata first then Canon in d then für elise
I’m learning moonlight sonata right now! It’s such a simple piece but sounds so nice
mind if I ask, which movement of moonlight sonata did you learn?
@@jeremy7926 the first movement only
@@oBseSsIoNPC thanks, can u tell me how u learned it? i want to learn the first movement to impress my parents, but i just don't know how, i would really appreciate it if u tell me
Gymnopedie is such a calming piece.
Depressive to learn.
@@anuar1978 Chopin's Nocturne no. 20 in C#m is more depressing, for me.... 😭
Try no 3 of Gymnopedie... Great fun piece to learn and a beautiful piece to boot
Listen to ylang ylang by fkj its similar to this piece
But Satie wrote quite a Few different but similar "Gymnopedie".....were you aware of that?
Prelude no.1 in C major by Bach is fairly simple but extremely elegant and beautiful. My favourite piece of all time.
Yes, very beautiful. But even more so when played in duo with either a flute or violin playing the melody of Ave Maria by Gounod
Beautiful choices.
it is! it’s the first piece i learned the whole way through and i was very proud when i learned it all :)
Links for sheet music (free to download):
Piece 5- musopen.org/music/43466-the-well-tempered-clavier-book-i-bwv-846-869/
Piece 4- musopen.org/music/8010-3-gymnopedies/
Piece 3- musopen.org/music/8658-bagatelle-no-25-fur-elise-woo-59/
Piece 2- www.pianostreet.com/chopin_prelude_op28_no4_psu.pdf
Piece 1- musopen.org/music/2547-piano-sonata-no-14-in-c-sharp-minor-moonlight-sonata-op-27-no-2/
Great🌺🙏
Thanks! 🙏🙏🙏
Thankyou so much😀
This is great. Thanks. I enjoyed every video and love your way of teaching. So clear and loud.
You're a hero
I did not touch my piano for at least 5 years because of wrong feeling that solving problems is more important than time squandering for playing music. I was a beginner at nearly 70. Today I woke up and rushed to my piano. At my 75 😊 You woke me up! I am alive and happy when I play it even for myself! Thank you, teacher!
ditto ! At age 66 after nearly two decades away, I broke through my huge mental barrier having memorized Debussy's Clair de Lune. And now, I am learning to sight read ... not having known that sight reading is very specific skill that needs to be treated as such.
Jesus is the only way y’all, we must trust that he died for our sins on the cross!!
I bet you guys regret never starting earlier, I'm 27 and I think my only regrets are things I never started earlier.
@@BrodyStagyes he did ... and when there were those days in which he felt good, he played the piano with joy and consistency.
I was forced to learn these songs when I was 8 after only playing piano for a year. It was the death of me
just learning the moonlight sonata. gosh it's SO beautiful & calming & the sense of achievement when those notes sing from the fingers makes all the practise worthwhile. Thanks for the advice!
I've played most of these pieces without feedback from my teacher. Nobody gave me details and goals as you do. Thanks a lot.
Here for you Joaquin, all the best
Very nice and beautiful song
i’ve played for 10 years and the one i immediately knew was gonna be here was für elise
I’m playing for a few weeks, I’m already practicing la Campanella 🎹🎶😅
@Sankalp Gupta huh
Same👈🏻
@Sankalp Gupta ik
Fur Elise is easy to learn but difficult to master in terms of fluidity. I’d practice over and over again but still cannot seem to get through the rut of playing with emotions. Maybe…I’m just practicing wrong.
Moonlight sonata by far. I learned it as a child and still play it at age 61. My granddaughter is learning it now. Great video!!
Really? The second movement is quite tricky for a beginner.
@@zapazap I doubt Megan is talking about the second two movements.
@@pterranadon Then I would advise her not to speak in terms of 'learning the Sonata'.
The second movement is not exceptionally difficult technically -- but playing it well takes intelligence in interpretation beyond either the first or the third.
@@zapazap Chill out, bro
@@xandermegaman6906 I'm subzero bruh
I was a bit surprised at the choice of pieces. I was expecting easier songs as "beginner" pieces. I've played Elise, Moonlight, Gym and a bit of the Chopin. Many people don't know about the middle section of Fur Elise which I found to be a big jump in difficulty. Will revisit them all.
Beginner doesn't seem to mean what people usually think. I've seen books that say "absolute beginner" that is more in.line with what you'd think of as Beginner. I purchased a book that said it was Easy and it was just a little easier than these pieces.
@@BUJU2007 I think I was expecting a difficulty level such as something more along the lines of Minuet in G by Bach from the Anna Magdalena notebook.
@@mgbchoralmusic6443 yeah, that makes sense.
Agree
@@mgbchoralmusic6443 Ehh
I've been playing for five years now, completely self taught. Im pretty proud to say that I can play some pretty difficult stuff, at least for me, but I never really learned the basics 😅 this is a great video for me to "catch-up" a bit on the beginning part of my journey that I didn't really get without a teacher!
Damn that’s pretty cool! I’m also trying to learn the piano for fun by myself, however I already have musical knowledge prior to me picking up the piano (I also play violin).
@@Dn_119-w7w me too lol but i have a tutor xd
So proud for u!🙏🏼🙏🏼♥️♥️♥️
hi:) how do you think a beginner should start learning how to read notes?
@@misaphine I am a self taught player too. Best way to start for me was starting with Alfred Piano book for adults. It teaches everything you want to know from notes to fingering in an easy and steady pace.
Played them all as a 14 year old beginner, not because my teacher gave them to me to learn, but because I found them among my grandmother's sheet music and liked them. I memorised them, and 60 years later, still play them periodically.
i’m currently 14 right now and i am beginning my piano journey, not easy but i have fun, hope ill still be playing when im your age!
same!@@m3mhh
Thank you so much I am 13 years old and have been playing piano for 6 months without a teacher, nor lessons. I know how to play fur elise and moonlight sonta and more. Thank you because I was running out of ideas what to play and now I have ideas to get better!
Have u ever tried a piece called "River Flows in You" ? It's beautiful you should really check it out!
About ideas visit this channel: ruclips.net/video/YzlLxpBuuXg/видео.html
Comptine d'un autre été, River flows in You, Für Elise, Moonlight Sonata and Canon in D and no teachers are neaded!
I'm 14 and self-learning too. My playing is pretty good but I mostly rely on synthesias which is a problem, I know. Do you guys have some tips, videos, or websites maybe that you can suggest to get me started on reading sheet music?
Self learning too. 15
I learned how to play Fur Elise in like 3 days so I definitely recommend trying. I’m a new beginner and ofc I’m way too slow for the actual song but it’s quite nice to be able to play it. There’s a beginner tutorial that has Lessons 1-3 for the different parts and it was very helpful and straight on. I definitely suggest it.
Did you learned the full version of Fur Elise?
In 3 days? Did you practice 40 hours a day or something lol
@@baeto it's an easy song lol
@@baeto with the power of ling ling, the person was finally able to practice for 40 hours a day
As a starter too I definitely learned the first part with an optimal speed in 4 days 😁 (I stopped to the tonality change part: it’s not difficult tho it’s just bcs I need to work on some big basics and start self teaching my self how to read sheets (ez ones ofc))
I started taking piano lessons when I was 7 (I'm now 84 years old) and I got to say, this is very gut für beginners. My Englisch is bad because Im sorry (german) :(. Play more!
Dang! I learned all of these when I was a beginner except for Fur Elise. I must have a pretty good teacher
Me too exactly like this - except I'm still practicing them :-) I think he uses Bach's definition of 'beginner' -:)
How funny to find those exact choices here
Didn’t have any formal lessons until class piano in college which was just focused on fingerings for scales, but! In being self taught 3 of these 5 were in my practice time. And now later in my piano life, not being classically focused I am still fascinated with the musical journey in Chopin’s Prelude in E Minor. The pivot halfway through when you are almost back home but restart the journey instead and then finally reach the satisfying resolution.
Jazer, I'm an adult working to teach myself piano. I just wanted to say that your videos are absolute treasure chests of information and motivation. I think they are equal in value to any of the other well-known music teaching videos on RUclips. You also have a very friendly and accessible manner, which makes watching your channel a pleasure. I could only wish your channel had hundreds of videos covering every facet of piano learning. I hope you never burn out on making videos. You are a real help to anyone teaching themselves music.
Thanks so much, hope this channel helps you greatly
I agree, 💯%!!
Moonlight is my favorite piece. I’m a fan of your pianist tutorial. Thank you for sharing your experiences un teaching.
I just inherited my great grandmother's piano from my mother who just passed. I learned a bit in high school, but am coming back to it now that I have access to a piano again. It's been so healing for me during my grieving process. This is a great video, and I'm putting all of these songs on my list of things to learn. Thank you so much!
Sorry for your loss. Great heirloom to have. You can spend hours playing the same instrument that your mother and grandmother played. That seems exceptionally fortunate, to me.
@@notcrazy6288 Thank you. It's been through 4 generations of my family. All things considered, I feel extremely blessed.
So very sorry for your loss ... but ecstatic you now have access to the piano. How cool izzat?? Play something special for them both. Sending hugs, Char in San Diego
@charlenenowicki9671 Thank you 💕 I've taken it upon myself to do some repairs, so it will be a while before I play it again. But I believe I found my great grandmother's initials on the action inside from when she did repairs. And some shiny pennies from the 1940s under the keys. Really neat
You play with great expression and your interpretations are ones that someone could not go wrong imitating. Very valuable lessons and you’re not a jerk.
Thanks so much Doug
From your comment it feels like you met a jerky adviser lol
For me, Moonlight Sonata and Fur Elise are my favourites from this collection. As others have suggested, Fur Elise is relatively easy to learn. I look forward to learning how to play Moonlight Sonata and can see that the right hand split voicing will take some time to master.
chopin prelude you are an excellent teacher. I agree with all of technique that I have seen you endorse. I happen to have learned all 5 of these pieces in my instructional phase. I have played solo piano professionally for almost 50 years. I really didn't like conservatory training but it forced me to do things I would never have done left to my own devices. Keep up the good work. I wish I had had a beginning instructor as enlightened as you are.
I am at 48 years old beginner I just took two hours and I learned it well it was so easy and fun what does some complicated things that I didn't understand but I took some few hours and I understand so I give it thumbs up and I say thanks for your help
4:10 when he’s talking about volume control between two hands I knew there’s such a thing. Some people comments on some piano playing videos that That was Editing Skills. Well it’s Not, sir, it’s some Piano Skill right there.
it's called dynamics.
Those people know nothing about piano playing! Don't listen to them.
It's very normal that some notes will need to be louder and more accented than others, especially if those notes fill a melodic purpose. This means that those notes are more important and need to be heard above the other ones. This doesn't mean to always play melodies super loud, but to play everything in a certain level that will take it all into consideration and give a pleasent feeling to the ear while also making sure that the melody is the focus of the piece, if it needs to be.
It’s such a great feeling to come here and find this beautiful community in the comments, we all have the same goal and it’s amazing to see how we share our achievements and the way we try to help others with our comments. I’m so glad I discovered your channel.
Moonlight is my favorite, I started playing 4 months ago teaching myself through your videos and some music theory videos. I am finally ready to start learning this piece! Thank you for all your tutoring!
I feel so lucky to have found world class teacher here in RUclips. I spent years of lessons and the amount of improvement I learned from you has been really good ( that’s what I thought) thank you Jazer!! 🙏
He is my school teacher
Fur Elise still sounds just as beautiful after hearing and playing it probably thousands of times, as it did the first time I heard it. As does Moonlight Sonata. The music world just wouldn't be the same without them. Two great pieces that will give a student a real sense of accomplishment.
These are my 5 pieces you shouldn't skip, before to play the pieces of this video 😁
- Minuet in G mayor - C. Petzold (Bach)
- Sonata no. 19 in g minor op. 49 no.1 - L. V. Bethoven
- The sick doll - P. Tchaikovsky
- Arabesque - J. F. Burgmüller
- Waltz - D. Kabalevsky
Thanks for the tip 😊
Played them all early on as a student, and I still love playing them all! Nice to be able to sit down and just play something that isnt a lot of “work” just playing to truly relax
I love this collection and most of all the skills progression proposed! I am beginner and just started and I thought impossible to jump across chords for Gymnopedie n. 1.. but in only 4 days of practice, every day my body remembered how to move and today I have finally completed first line several times 100% accuracy 🎉 just balanced practice and magically you see music flowing from yourself!
Thanks for your amazing videos!
What a wonderful teacher you are. And thank you for the crossover. I have played this piece all of my live (on and off) and I am now 72 years old and have arthritis. It is hard to play the 9ths and 10ths that I had no trouble playing as a 20 year old.
Thank you.
Wow, it was 5 months ago I watched this. Finally learnt all 5 pieces. It has improved my piano playing soooooooo much, thank you very much, for this video.
Make a video! :)
As you begann to learn this pieces could you already play something else. How many years you played before?
@@TheMartikaa I had learned for a few years, a few decades ago, but wasn't very focused at that stage of my life, so had a basic understanding but couldn't play well. But since the internet tutors have come onto the scene with all their great tips it has made piano playing incredibly enjoyable. I started again with PianoTV about 1 year before looking at Jazer Lee. It was a fairly big leap for me to learn the 5 piano pieces but it has become a great basis for learning other classical pieces.
Thanks you.... For beginner from scratch it's very difficult. I'm beginner. It would be frustrating. Il try it anyway at least one of them.
@@TheMartikaa The easier one's are Fur Elise (just first part) and 1st Gymnopedie (just first part). The first part for Moonlight is also easier too. All the best. I also love applying the 'A.A.R.' absolute accuracy rule. Play the piece with absolute accuracy. It doesn't matter if it's out of time or too slow. You will speed up with practise and get back in time too. Enjoy!
My first piece was Elise at the age of 74.
Then I learned Chopin Nocturne no 2. (Easy version) My favourite.
I could play both by heart after 3 months.
I've now been playing the Prelude from Bach but in duo with a flute or violin playing the melody of Ave Maria by Gounod.
Absolutely the most beautiful!
This helped A LOT! I started playing piano about 2 weeks ago and have only learned Moonlight Sonata so far, allbeit an easy version. But now I am super stoked to widen my horizon with these pieces :D
Edit: I think my favourite must be Either Prelude No. 4 or Moonlight Sonata, but I also adore Gymnopedie. In short I love them all.
yes. i started teaching myself heart and sole(Classic) and now and learning other classical pieces ....beyond fur Elise!🤣
Do hang in there!!
Ah, you're taking me back to my childhood with this video. Love all of these pieces! The two Beethoven ones are probably my faves. Lovely to play on a rainy evening or when I'm tired.
Wonderful video. I’ve been playing for sometime and learned some things from your explanation. Thanks for sharing! 🥂
This channel is so underrated
Jazer, you gotta add a bonus round must beginner piece to the list: clementi sonatina op 36 no 1
Great piece Meyerhof, it's about the same standard as the pieces in here, and much happy than these 😜😜
@@jazerleepiano Yes! I started by 10-year-old grandson on Clementi and he loves it.
Yeah, I was gonna say that Clementi ought to be on this list. 😊
Haha after all these years without playing, it's one of the first pieces I worked on !
Thanks for this tip! Didn't know the piece and have learned it since. A lot of fun to play!
Favorite: Moonlight Sonata. Thank you so much!!
The chopin Waltz on A minor is not bad for beginners, good for learning chords, dynamics, metronome and it’s very beautiful in my opinion.
Another tip is to try to learn a piece by heart. I know that it takes time but then you’ll actually learn everything that the piece has to offer for you. It also helps you in the future if you see similar things in the next piece you’ll learn. You don’t have to learn every piece by heart but maybe one in your skill level range.
As a beginner the right hand voicing in moonlight sonata blows me away! Superb lessons teacher! 👌
I am a 59 year old beginner and learning Moonlight sonata and am happy that you had Moonlight as your number one choice. It is an incredibly beautiful piece. You are so right about voicing and developing the legato keystrokes. Thank you for your thorough explanation. I have subscribed now and will keep viewing your channel.
Generally very happy with this list!
5: done and recorded.
4: just started learning.
3: not a beginner piece except the main theme. Will learn it when I’m ready.
2: done and recorded, not uploaded yet.
1: done and recorded.
Can you post 6-10 next? 😀
Loving your progress Rob!!!
@@jazerleepiano cheers! Loving your content 👍
It’s crazy how Fur Elise was my first serious piece I’ve ever learned, then it was more and more of Bach and Beethoven, might learn the Turkish March some every other day
yeah i learned fur elise when i was around 12 i felt like a total genius, looking back it was a pretty beginner friendly song but, i'm still happy about it haha
Brooo same, except I was 10
The whole song?
@@amitjalan9935 too bad.. When I was 5 😂
@@bracoolor7722 nah I don't believe you
Really! It is NOT a song if it were it would be for voice and piano. Some people! Is Beethovens Hammerklavier or 3rd Symphony a song ? Don't disparage it.
Thanks for this inspiring video.
!
Glad you liked it! Thank you for the support!
Moonlight Sonata is my favorite. It's beautiful. As a beginner, i'm trying to learn it and not mess it up too badly. I will keep trying !!!
Moonlight definitely! Very dark, very beautiful!
I really appreciate your thoughtfulness into explaining how these pieces will develope my pianist skulls. I find that it helps me focus on what's important.
I've watched quite alot of RUclips channels for beginners, yours is one of my favorites. You explain it really well in a very calm way. Keep up the good work, it is really helpful and foremost: approachable :)
Thank you for sharing with your tips, Jazer! I finally know the name of the pieces! I learned piano for 3 years when I was in teenager and I have started picking it up again recently. Besides those 5 pieces that you suggested, I also like Canon in D and River Flow in You. In my opinion, I think those are not hard to learn, especially the chord on left hand keep repeating.
As a beginner (started 3 months ago), I only know how to play with one hand for Fur Elise, Moonlight, and Turkish March (Mozart), I don't play the part that is supposed to be for my left hand.
I love the Chopin piece, It’s also my favorite. I’m starting to play again after 30 years, I’m apprehensive but also excited because I played for 15 years before that and I don’t know what I’ll be able to do. Wish me luck 😁
@Gary Allen i played for 5 intense years as a kid but then i quit for 7 years (to focus on studying) and now im back at it but i feel I have lost everything. The only thing i can still do is read sheet music. I have been playing for a couple months now and cant say much is coming back :(
I like your selection, but if I may, I'd like to add just one more, that being Mozart, K545, 2nd movement. I found it to be excellent for developing a solid left hand arpeggio technique. I'm aware that a lot of beginners' pieces have block chords in the left hand; this takes that to the next level. It's also good for studying chord progressions. All around, it's challenging, yet very rewarding.
This is a great video for a complete beginner such as myself. I have been given an 1840s Detroit church harmonium that has been in my family for about 50 years. Having been bought over to the UK when it was built for a church now knocked down. At 60 years old myself I thought I should really learn to play it. I am making good progress using your videos but I had no clue as to the first proper pieces to learn…until watching this video. Four os the pieces I really like anyway so it is giving more joy learning them. Whether they sound good played on a harmonium is another thing… but I am enjoying it and the neighbours dont seem to mind either 😂. Thank you!
Thank you for putting this list together. I was looking for something like this to get me polished. I am currently learning the moonlight Sonata, since is one of my favorites. So far going bar by bar practicing each hand, I'm on the second page. Beautiful selection you have here. I made note and will be printing them so I can learn them. Thank you.
A good vedio to learn is from amsadol it was so easy to learn this peice from him
I love all these piano pieces. These will be on my to play list. I am going to resume my piano learning after a 20 year break and hopefully I will soon be able to progress. Great videos here on RUclips Jazer . Thanks.
i’ve been practicing piano non stop for about a month and i just learned how to fully play prelude in c major. Thank you so much!
Back in the 70's, when I was a kid, my mother had an alarm clock that played Für Elise every single morning to wake us up to prepare me to go to school. I have only recently started to play piano. Needless to say, I will NEVER play this music!
Great tutorial. Chopin prelude and Beethoven moonlight were always my favorite. Started with them
Love it. Thank you. very helpful. I would love more of the same simple piano intro. to works. Classical in minor key preferred.
I need a second part of this video. I love classical music, thats why I started to play piano and I already finished to learn Prelude in C.
I'm currently learning Alla Turca from Mozart. You should try it, it's not really hard to play and is pretty quick to learn.
You're a brilliant demonstrator and teacher of piano. These 5 pieces really are fantastic for all aspiring pianists to learn. As a number 6 piece, I'd also include Mozart Sonata K545 second movement that's of around grade 4 standard. It's brilliant for teaching legato, phrasing, balance between the hands and chords with its beautiful broken chord accompaniment. Keep up the great work and I'm really glad that I've found your excellent channel.
As someone who is self teaching the piano, I really appreciate these videos. They give me a perspective on the hidden components or lessons of learning music to which I otherwise would’ve never been exposed.
Thanks for the great videos🎉😊
I think you can create a roadmap from where to start as a beginner and the things to do to reach intermediate.
This was an excellent video Jazer. I will always consider myself a beginner even though I've played for years, but never seriously. I agree with your overall assessment, though I do think there's a section of Fur Elise that is a little beyond beginner level - but not by much. If you're talking about the main theme and only that, then spot on. BTW, the Chopin Etude is also my favorite.
Thanks a million!!! I learned all these at age 11 and have not played since. I started playing yesterday, after almost a 50 years pause, and while all these have been with me my entire life, I forgot their name. Now I have them and can start over!
Wow, great video. I learned Gnossienne No.1 and your comments on hand volume control really helped me a lot as this piece is very much like Gymnopedie. I sound more flowing and polished. I wish you had an individual tutorial for each of the pieces. We could spend a year together learning all the songs. Thanks for your help.
I learned Gymnopedia 1 and Gnossienne 1 before searching for other piano pieces that I could learn and play but which weren’t cliche at this point. Love Satie’s work. The man was a poet of the piano and a genius.
The gymnopedie sounds like it’s straight outta Minecraft
piece number 4... beautiful! and as you said, it's a pleasure to hear. thanks again for your videos
I'm completely self taught, I've been playing for about 5 years (since I was 8, 13 now)... I stopped for a couple of months in between just before covid, got back in during covid.. I learnt für Elise (or Therese idk) in 2 nights, and I was so proud of myself... To any other self taught beginner out here reading this, don't give up... Try try. Download apps and watch tutorials that can help u.. self learning is hard for some people... Most self learners tend to not learn the chords and stuff, just directly go on to playing their favourite songs (not the classics).. avoid that. First try the classical peices. They help u build up in your hand movements (both hands)
Hope this helped!
ALL good advice sweetheart!! Hope you're still at it at 15!!?? 💪👊👍🙏 Char in San Diego
thanks so much for the sheet music links! as an adult learner, i think Standchen / Schubert's Serenade is a good beginner's piece to learn dynamics.
I play this too, beautiful piece, love it. I play it every day 👍🏼✅🎹
3 vs 4 is NOT for beginners
Be careful though! The full Standchen is actually a grade 8 piece, though there have been many arrangements of just the easier beginning section. I’d encourage everyone interested to listen to the full version, it’s gorgeous. Currently refining it in practice myself at the moment !
@@moozycarrots to be honest I don't know how these pieces are classified but moonlight sonata was there. standchen was given to me by my teacher in grade 3. I don't know if there's a more complicated version but I have this one: musescore.com/zildjian_viray/st-ndchen-serenade-f-schubert-arr-liszt-edition-zz-urtext
@@louised9837 yeah that’s literally a grade 8 piece lol. In the AMEB (Australian grading system) it’s arranged slightly differently, where the top note from the left-hand chords are played by the right hand (entirely unnecessary IMO, but it does make it a little more difficult for volume control and coordination). You’re amazing if you were able to play that in grade 3! There’s some tricky rhythms and fingerings in there
I love your way of explaining things, and demonstrating them, so easy to understand. You have the art of teaching. Thank you for the video! Those are all beautiful pieces to learn.
100k 🎊🎉🎊 you deserve it, my teacher :)
Thank you so much! 😃
The Bach prelude in C - which I played only this morning. I should try the others, thank you for the inspiration :)
Chopin's Polonaise G-moll is great as it not only develops your piano technique but also learns you how to play beautifully
Thank you for this video.
I am 70, began at 67. I knew absolutely nothing, zero about music. But I was always drawn to the piano and yearned to play.
I’m working my way thru the Alfred Adult series. I love these pieces that you have chosen. I feel less intimidated since you have described them as valuable for beginners to learn. So I will work my way through them.
I like the way your lessons are presented, your explanations and your choice of pieces.
Again, thank you.
I am a couple years older than you and I feel that our memories are not as good as many years ago. I prefer to play by memory without looking at the scores just like the recitals. So nearly everyday I need to practice a few pieces which I love most. Without regular practicing I will forget part of them. Now I am playing digital piano with headphone on so my family won't get bored in listening to the same nearly everyday. I am playing electric violin too and I feel is a bit more easier as I only need to memorize the melody.
@@rogercheng123 I definitely agree about our memory insufficiency. When I began I practiced every day because I’d forget what I had learned if I didn’t.
I still do daily practice unless life interferes. The progress is slow but it still is progress!
Congrats with learning another instrument. That’s quite remarkable!
It is a bit old to play at that age
The insane thing about Chopin prelude in E minor, is that I just watched a video of an incredible pianist named Seymour Bernstein break apart this piece and the extremely complex and beautiful articulation that is required to play it as truly intended. Even if it does still sound amazing with just basic piano skills. This is what is most fascinating to me about piano, it’s that notes are meaningless without articulation and pouring your soul into a piece
That’s why you’ll hear professional pianists tell you the hardest pieces to perfect are the slow ones, because everything is audible to the audience and the challenge isn’t mechanical (professional pianists have the best mechanics, after all), but more emotional and expressive. Another great example of this type of demand in Chopin’s works is his etude op 10 no 6 which requires a lot of focus if you want to create the atmosphere and effects that the wandering voice, lead voice, and bass voice want to make.
For those wondering. The video with Seymour Bernstein is indeed great.
ruclips.net/video/pRLBBJLX-dQ/видео.html
I have been playing piano for 2 almost 3 years now and I already know 3 out of the 5 songs in the video, I will learn the other 2 starting as soon as possible, I didnt even know they existied but now Im hooked.
Passacaglia by Hendel/Halvorsen should be in the list. Truly beautiful and fairly easy to learn and master.
Jazzer, I am a piano teacher, and I love and appreciate your videos more than I can say. I have been including them in my students’ lesson books as they fit with whatever we are learning in a particular piece. Occasionally I even play one during a lesson. You are a very articulate and accomplished professional. Thank you so much!
I meant Jazer! My favorite is the Chopin Prelude #4.
Oh thank you. You are playing beautifully. I'm learning so much from you. I never realised my hands shouldn't play at the same 'strength'.
Your dynamics and sense of timing are perfect! Thank you for all the lessons. I’m learning a lot. Is there a chance you could upload videos of each of these full classical pieces to play along with, and to observe your techniques even if they aren’t tutorial videos? Thanks again!
Yeah if it's him playign I could be confident that it'd be a perfect source to reference from.... from the fingering to dynamics and timing etc. No need to search for countless videos and be confused which one is the proper one to reference
It's my first time hearing about legato and I just realized I've been subconsciously doing it
I ll follow your advice -as self taught pianist I ve found this good teacher to fill up all my gaps.Thanks from Costa Rica@
I am a 15 year old and I been playing for over 9 years and to be honest I never played all of this beautiful amazing pieces except for fur elise 😅 bc always thought that I wasn't in that level yet.
Ah yes that dirt obsessed girl from fire force, never knew you played piano.
Be adventurous, challenge yourself, you can surpass any level one at a time. Please don’t limit yourself, onwards and upwards, there’s no other way to go!😀
As a beginner I would agree. I have learned all but Fur Elise. It’s on the list. I thought the Satie piece was a bit harder than the Chopin piece. Canon in D is a must. Love the channel. 🎹 🎶🎼✌🏾
I’ve learnt more in the first 5 minutes of this video than I have in the last two years!!
❤🎹❤🔥🔥🔥
Thanks for your great channel!!
Hello, I am a relative newcomer to the piano (76 years old), self-taught at the moment, and I strongly agree with your suggestion that you learn 1 or two bars and repeat 7 times. I would like to add that I have found two helpful additions to this idea.
1. Don’t stop at the end of a bar, but play the next one or two notes, which gives you something to latch onto when you play the next two bars.
2. When you have secured a few 1 or two bar pieces, take the times and play them together, so you can seamlessly play all the bars before you forget them.
I appreciate your videos and I am seeking a teacher now that most people have had two Covid jabs by now.