
During the pandemic I have been posting piano arrangements of beautiful melodies to soothe and uplift. Last month, subscriber Keith requested Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, and I have been hard at work turning this gorgeous orchestral piece into a piano solo! It is three pages long, but I hope you agree that it is worth your time and effort to learn.
CLICK TO PRINT Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21
In the video below you will notice that on p. 1 measure 2, I cut off the sixth and twelfth triplet bass chords (EG) almost as if they were staccato. I did this to demonstrate that the treble 16th notes in measure 2 are played in between the bass notes. When this figure repeats on page 3 measure 1, I played it the way it should sound, with the bass notes sustaining.
I did not add pedal marks to the sheet music for ease of reading, but I used the damper pedal throughout, refreshing the pedal on beats 1 and 3 of each measure. But you might want to wait to add the damper pedal until you are more comfortable with the notes.
If you are not yet familiar with triplets, the simple explanation is that triplets divide each beat into three. So this piece feels as if there were twelve beats per measure even though it is in 4/4 time. I discuss triplets in Upper Hands Piano BOOK 4, but if you don’t have my books, watching the video will help you place your rhythm:
How are you doing? Between the pandemic, the fires and hurricanes, dirty politics and sad passings, I think that many of us feel at our wit’s end. I have been trying to mitigate these disasters by playing and arranging beautiful music, along with expressing gratitude for the beauty of nature, my good health, and the love of friends and family. Sometimes we can’t help but fall into despair, but when I can get myself to the bench, playing helps calm and focus me, and it makes me feel that I am moving forward in my studies and skills.
What are you doing to keep yourself positive? I have been writing two new book series that I am so excited about. Firstly, I have been adapting the Upper Hands Piano Books for younger adults! The new series is called Piano Powered: An Innovative New Piano Method To Power The Brain and Feed The Soul, and BOOKS 1 and 2 will be available on Amazon in a few days! I try not to do too much “selling” on this blog, but if you don’t mind, I will post about the new series when it becomes available. Many have asked me to adapt the brain training aspects of the Upper Hands Piano series for younger adults, so I have done that. I have been testing it on adults and teens in the past year, and my students have been progressing quickly and easily using these new books. They are very similar to the Upper Hands Piano series.
I have also been working on a new songbook series – collections of songs and pieces to play for their various therapeutic benefits. I can’t say more than that, but I’ll keep you posted about those volumes as well.
For now, I wish you better days ahead, and I hope you enjoy the cooler days of Autumn in your part of the world. Be well and play on. With love and music, Gaili
Gaili Schoen, Author
Upper Hands Piano: A Method for Adults 50+ to Spark the Mind, Heart and Soul, Songs of the Seasons, Piano Powered, and more!
Thank you for today’s arrangement of Mozart’s piano concerto. It’s so beautiful and moving that it almost breaks my heart. We’re heading for a little getaway. The house has a piano, so I’ll be bringing this along with me!
Mary you are so welcome! I agree, this piece really gets inside my heart. Thanks so much for your comment
Gaili,
Thank you SO much for arranging this after my request. I have just listened to you playing it and it is beautiful. I have just this minute printed it off and I am now off to the piano to play your arrangement. I have a couple of simpler arrangements, but you have managed to provide a much more complete arrangement of the movement.
As you said, that must have taken you a fair while to do that and I know there will be a lot of grateful students for you work on such a beautiful piece.
THANK YOU AGAIN.
Keith
Yay! You made my day Keith, you are so welcome, and I am so glad you like my arrangement. When one creates an arrangement there are so many decisions to be made. I wanted to preserve the beauty of the themes, so I did not simplify or shorten it as much as I could have. This piece was a great suggestion, and I will probably include it in a future book, so it’s a win-win. Thanks for your kind words
Gail,
I have all the books you have out at present. I very much appreciate the series & the music piece sent monthly. Beautiful pieces that can be played at my level. Thank you.
Julie S
Wow! Thanks Julie! I so appreciate you supporting my books! I’m glad you are enjoying the arrangements
YOU.ARE.AMAZING. In all ways! Thank you for your time and generosity. And thank you for sending ‘The Entertainer’ when I requested it. Mary Ellen
Wow! Thanks Mary Ellen! You are so welcome. I hope you are enjoying The Entertainer! Be well
Je viens de découvrir vos arrangements ! et je tiens à vous remercier de votre générosité.
De rien! Je suis heureux que vous nous rejoignez!