Chopin Waltz Pedaling

Encountering the pedaling in the Chopin Waltz in Suzuki Book 5 might be a little difficult at first. It is similar to the pedaling used in the Beethoven at the beginning of the book. However, there is more clarity if the cadence pedaling is not the same as what is used previously. I like to wait and pedal LATE on the downbeat of the cadence.

See below:

Staccato Practice for Beginners

Many students have trouble acquiring the crisp sound of a good staccato.  Usually it is because they are playing down towards the keys instead of up and away from the keys.  Here is a brief example of a child just learning how to play a bouncy staccato:

Little Hands Learning to Play with Good Technique

Using the whole hand and keeping the point of contact with the keys narrowed to just the finger pads ("pillows").

Grouping and Gestures

Once a student has learned how to distinctly play each key, the next step is to learn how to group them together to make a fluid phrase!

Suzuki students learn this in Honeybee.  Here is an example of a student practicing two groups of four notes by using a gesture to keep them controlled and even.


This is best taught by rote as groupings is pretty personal in terms of style and is not indicated in the score.

The C Chord Progression

As you may well know, chords provide the basis of harmonic support for a melody and much of the "background" (or often in beginning music - the left hand).  This harmonic support is comprised of a progression of chords in one form or another.  Many of you will already be comfortable with the alberti bass pattern of playing chords.  (5-1-3-1)

Below is a chord progression in C in blocked form.  (That means, all the notes of the chord are played at once.)  The chord progression is I-IV-I-V-V7-I, which in the key of C is C-F-C-G-G7-C.




The chord progression should be practiced slowly, with even tone and a flexible wrist.

The C Arpeggio

In order to play much of Suzuki Book 2 and any early intermediate literature, a student needs to be able to play an arpeggio with ease.  An arpeggio outlines a triad and provides both melody and harmony in a quick, easy, and charming way to a lot of piano music.

Small hands need to be careful though, not to have an excess of stretching.  The arm should support the hand, which should support the fingers, which should all be carried along to each note.

Below is an example of a child learning the C arpeggio.  The notes are C-E-G-C with fingering for the right hand being 1-2-3-5 (coming back down with the same notes and respective fingerings).