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The 3 Easiest Debussy Piano Pieces
May 17, 2023 by Taras (Terry) Babyuk
Introduction
As is usually the case with my "easy" series, I try to put together a collection of pieces that are not just "easy" relative to the composer's other works, but also ones I consider to be the most beautiful. So perhaps a better title for this article would have been "The 3 Easiest and Most Beautiful Debussy Piano Pieces" - but that just sounds too long! Also, keep in mind that the "easiest" piece included here requires you to be at about a high-intermediate level on the piano.
When it comes to Debussy's piano repertoire, most musicians would probably classify many of the six pieces in his "Children's Corner" suite under the easy category. However, I decided not to include these here since I am not a big fan of these works (feel free to listen to them on YouTube and decide for yourself). Instead, I opted for the three pieces that you find below.
All three of the pieces chosen here are characterized by a flowing melody and dreamy atmosphere that are so integral to the impressionistic style that Debussy is known for. I hope you find them just as enjoyable as I do!
#1. Page d'album
Quick Facts
- Composed: 1915
- Pages: 2
- Key: F Major
- Tempo: Moderately fast
- Ability Level: RCM Level 8 - high intermediate/low advanced
- My personal rating: 4/5 (very nice!)
WHAT'S EASY ABOUT IT:
- The key(s). The piece has only one flat, so (aside from a few accidentals) we are dealing mostly with white keys here.
- The length. At only 2 pages, this piece is pretty short compared to many of Debussy's other piano works.
WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND DIFFICULT:
- LH jumps. The left hand often has to jump between a single note and a chord.
- Multiple voicings. Two melodic lines (especially in RH) might present a challenge for those not experienced with this texture.
#2. Arabesque no. 1
Quick Facts
- Composed: 1888
- Pages: 5
- Key: E Major
- Tempo: Andantino con moto
- Ability Level: RCM Level 10 - advanced
- My personal rating: 5/5 (love it!)
WHAT'S EASY ABOUT IT:
- The rhythm. The piece consists mostly of eighth notes and has very few dotted notes, which makes it easier to deal with. Although polyrhythmic passages that often occur between the hands (for example eighth notes in LH with triplets in RH) will be trickier to handle.
WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND DIFFICULT:
- The key. Unlike our first piece, this one has four sharps, so expect a lot more black keys here.
- Multiple voicings. This peace often has two distinct melodic lines in the RH as well as LH. Knowing which melodic line to bring out and when becomes important.
#3. Clair de lune
Quick Facts
- Composed: 1890
- Pages: 6
- Key: D Flat Major
- Tempo: Andante tres expressif
- Ability Level: RCM Level 10 - advanced
- My personal rating: 5/5 (love it!)
WHAT'S EASY ABOUT IT:
- The tempo. Despite some animated sections, this is mostly a calm and slow piece, so the speed should be very comfortable even when playing sixteenth notes.
WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND DIFFICULT:
- The key. With five flats, we are talking about even more black keys here!
- Rhythm and Polyrhythm. The rhythm here is a lot more complicated than in our first piece in this series, with a lot of dotted notes, ties, and even sextuplets. Polyrhythm between the two hands is even trickier here!
- Thirds. There are quite a few instances of harmonic thirds that occur in RH in this peace, which as many musicians know can be tricky to play well. Hope you've been practicing your thirds!
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