As promised I have posted Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata (transposed to E minor) pt. 2 on my website today. Have you been playing pt. 1 during the last month? How is it going for you? Do you feel ready to move on to the second half of the piece? If not, no problem, print it today and start it whenever you feel ready. Practicing pieces in small sections is the best way to gain deep learning.
Remember, I post my free sheet music for just 1 year, so print today! After a year you can purchase this arrangement on Sheet Music Plus.
In case you missed it, you can visit my July post to print Moonlight Sonata pt. 1, watch a demonstration video for pt. 1 of this arrangement, or print the original sheet music. Here is a demonstration video for today’s pt. 2, pages 3-6 I count it off in case you would like to play with me:
In other news, this week I am presenting as well as attending seminars at the National Conference for Keyboard Pedagogy, an online conference for piano teachers. It is inspiring and stimulating to share techniques, ideas and stories with other piano teachers! At this morning’s session one presenter shared this gorgeous poem by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, an abolitionist, suffragist poet, born in 1825:
Let me make the songs for the people, Songs for the old and young; Songs to stir like a battle-cry Wherever they are sung.
Not for the clashing of sabres, For carnage nor for strife; But songs to thrill the hearts of men With more abundant life.
Let me make the songs for the weary, Amid life’s fever and fret, Till hearts shall relax their tension, And careworn brows forget.
Let me sing for little children, Before their footsteps stray, Sweet anthems of love and duty, To float o’er life’s highway.
I would sing for the poor and aged, When shadows dim their sight; Of the bright and restful mansions, Where there shall be no night.
Our world, so worn and weary, Needs music, pure and strong, To hush the jangle and discords Of sorrow, pain, and wrong.
Music to soothe all its sorrow, Till war and crime shall cease; And the hearts of men grown tender Girdle the world with peace.
With that I bid you a you a wonder-ful August, and enjoy tonight’s full moon! 🌝🌝🌝
With love and music, Gaili
Check out my website and my piano method and song books for adults over 50:
Hi Ms. Schoen. I apologize for asking a question you’ve probably answered fifty time before, but although I don’t have small hands, I have unusually short “pinky” fingers and can’t reach an octave. For example, in the Moonlight Sonata piece, fifth bar, the two b notes are an impossible spread for me. How can I adapt for this??
Hi Ann- that’s a great question; many pianists have this problem. If you can’t reach both notes of an octave, omit the bottom note in the treble, or the top note in the bass. That’s because in the treble the top note is the primary melody note, so that one must be played. Don’t play the bottom B, or any of the other bottom notes of octaves in your right hand. If you encounter the problem in your left hand, just play the bottom note. In bass, the bottom note is important because it is usually the root of the chord. I hope that makes sense! Thanks for your question Ann 🙂