Would it benefit to a beginner of piano playing right to start with the Prelude in C by Bach?












2















The question seems to be very subjective but it is not supposed to raise a discussion. but I'm asking for objective reasons and I'd like to answer later that this piece can be quite useful. I'm not asking for meanings or arguments as a discussion but for examples of copies or tutorials supporting my thesis: this is a piece for absolute beginners, even for a pupils of ca. 10 years.










share|improve this question





























    2















    The question seems to be very subjective but it is not supposed to raise a discussion. but I'm asking for objective reasons and I'd like to answer later that this piece can be quite useful. I'm not asking for meanings or arguments as a discussion but for examples of copies or tutorials supporting my thesis: this is a piece for absolute beginners, even for a pupils of ca. 10 years.










    share|improve this question



























      2












      2








      2








      The question seems to be very subjective but it is not supposed to raise a discussion. but I'm asking for objective reasons and I'd like to answer later that this piece can be quite useful. I'm not asking for meanings or arguments as a discussion but for examples of copies or tutorials supporting my thesis: this is a piece for absolute beginners, even for a pupils of ca. 10 years.










      share|improve this question
















      The question seems to be very subjective but it is not supposed to raise a discussion. but I'm asking for objective reasons and I'd like to answer later that this piece can be quite useful. I'm not asking for meanings or arguments as a discussion but for examples of copies or tutorials supporting my thesis: this is a piece for absolute beginners, even for a pupils of ca. 10 years.







      piano chords learning beginner






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited 10 mins ago









      200_success

      1,078914




      1,078914










      asked 2 hours ago









      Albrecht HügliAlbrecht Hügli

      36511




      36511






















          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          4














          From a pedagogical standpoint, consider all of the things an "absolute beginner" would have to learn in order to perform this piece:




          • Note names in treble clef

          • Note names in bass clas

          • Note values of whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth

          • Dotted note values

          • Rest values of eighth and sixteenth (and result syncopation)

          • Ties

          • Accidentals

          • Fermata

          • Notation with multiple voices in a single staff

          • Extensive use of ledger lines


          I'm sure there are other things I could add to this list—and I didn't even get into questions of technique or interpretation—but this is a huge list for absolute beginners to learn all at once.



          If your goal as teacher is to find one single piece that illustrates a lot of new concepts all at once, then this prelude is one of many that might fit.



          However, if your goal as a teacher is to gradually move a student forward one step at a time, helping ensure success by never allowing them to be shocked by too much new material, it's hard for me to imagine this being a good piece "for absolute beginners."






          share|improve this answer


























          • "helping ensure success by never allowing them to be shocked" I fully agree.. that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;)

            – Albrecht Hügli
            2 hours ago













          • that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;) Richard, you're giving good arguments, they would also fit for the little preludes. I want to show why I consider the 1st prelude as more useful than any children song or a pop sheet with chords and more appropriate than the little menuets of Bach or the inventions, with which I had to start.

            – Albrecht Hügli
            1 hour ago





















          2














          Ironically, I did exactly that with one young adult who had never played the piano before. You are looking for objective reasons. Hard to do but I will give it a shot:



          Pros:




          • motivation: The C prelude provides an infinite source of pleasure and can be played, listened to at length and not lose its original appeal. Many beginner pieces don't provide that appeal. It's a great way to provide motivation to a student, especially an adult with limited time.


          • technique: an important aspect of learning to play the piano is to work on hand position. This piece provides a good learning ground for that skill: working on the ability to put the fingers on the keys and then pressing one after the other.


          • accomplishment: the piece is a succession of chords. Even if the adult doesn't succeed in playing the whole piece, they may get a great sense of satisfaction in playing in a loop a couple of lines already.


          • rhythm: the learner won't have to focus on that aspect. That's one challenge that's removed from the plate.



          Cons:




          • challenging to read: if the adult hasn't any music background, that's a lot of notes to read.


          • challenging to memorize: one of the beginner frustration is to spend so much time reading the notes before playing each of them. Usually beginner pieces present the advantage of being short and having notes that follow each other so that they are easy to memorize and the learner can practice playing the piece. The C prelude doesn't provide that advantage.


          • uneven hands: beginner pieces are best if they help the student practice both hands evenly. This piece doesn't help much with the left hand.



          I'd say that with motivation, everything can be accomplished so I think with the right nurturing environment and a good teacher, it is ok to start with this piece: aim for the moon. It's ok if you don't reach it.



          I also think you will be more successful with an adult on this piece as it will be easier for them to see the whole picture. A young kid may get frustrated by the length of the piece and how much work it is to get to the end.






          share|improve this answer


























          • I couldn't say it better!

            – Albrecht Hügli
            1 hour ago











          • "aim for the moon. It's ok if you don't reach it." There are some who can't handle that for a first piece though, so some caution is warranted.

            – Mast
            25 mins ago



















          -1














          That's not an unreasonable 'first piece' for an adult beginner who can cope with notation on an intellectual level.






          share|improve this answer























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            3 Answers
            3






            active

            oldest

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            3 Answers
            3






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            4














            From a pedagogical standpoint, consider all of the things an "absolute beginner" would have to learn in order to perform this piece:




            • Note names in treble clef

            • Note names in bass clas

            • Note values of whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth

            • Dotted note values

            • Rest values of eighth and sixteenth (and result syncopation)

            • Ties

            • Accidentals

            • Fermata

            • Notation with multiple voices in a single staff

            • Extensive use of ledger lines


            I'm sure there are other things I could add to this list—and I didn't even get into questions of technique or interpretation—but this is a huge list for absolute beginners to learn all at once.



            If your goal as teacher is to find one single piece that illustrates a lot of new concepts all at once, then this prelude is one of many that might fit.



            However, if your goal as a teacher is to gradually move a student forward one step at a time, helping ensure success by never allowing them to be shocked by too much new material, it's hard for me to imagine this being a good piece "for absolute beginners."






            share|improve this answer


























            • "helping ensure success by never allowing them to be shocked" I fully agree.. that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;)

              – Albrecht Hügli
              2 hours ago













            • that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;) Richard, you're giving good arguments, they would also fit for the little preludes. I want to show why I consider the 1st prelude as more useful than any children song or a pop sheet with chords and more appropriate than the little menuets of Bach or the inventions, with which I had to start.

              – Albrecht Hügli
              1 hour ago


















            4














            From a pedagogical standpoint, consider all of the things an "absolute beginner" would have to learn in order to perform this piece:




            • Note names in treble clef

            • Note names in bass clas

            • Note values of whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth

            • Dotted note values

            • Rest values of eighth and sixteenth (and result syncopation)

            • Ties

            • Accidentals

            • Fermata

            • Notation with multiple voices in a single staff

            • Extensive use of ledger lines


            I'm sure there are other things I could add to this list—and I didn't even get into questions of technique or interpretation—but this is a huge list for absolute beginners to learn all at once.



            If your goal as teacher is to find one single piece that illustrates a lot of new concepts all at once, then this prelude is one of many that might fit.



            However, if your goal as a teacher is to gradually move a student forward one step at a time, helping ensure success by never allowing them to be shocked by too much new material, it's hard for me to imagine this being a good piece "for absolute beginners."






            share|improve this answer


























            • "helping ensure success by never allowing them to be shocked" I fully agree.. that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;)

              – Albrecht Hügli
              2 hours ago













            • that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;) Richard, you're giving good arguments, they would also fit for the little preludes. I want to show why I consider the 1st prelude as more useful than any children song or a pop sheet with chords and more appropriate than the little menuets of Bach or the inventions, with which I had to start.

              – Albrecht Hügli
              1 hour ago
















            4












            4








            4







            From a pedagogical standpoint, consider all of the things an "absolute beginner" would have to learn in order to perform this piece:




            • Note names in treble clef

            • Note names in bass clas

            • Note values of whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth

            • Dotted note values

            • Rest values of eighth and sixteenth (and result syncopation)

            • Ties

            • Accidentals

            • Fermata

            • Notation with multiple voices in a single staff

            • Extensive use of ledger lines


            I'm sure there are other things I could add to this list—and I didn't even get into questions of technique or interpretation—but this is a huge list for absolute beginners to learn all at once.



            If your goal as teacher is to find one single piece that illustrates a lot of new concepts all at once, then this prelude is one of many that might fit.



            However, if your goal as a teacher is to gradually move a student forward one step at a time, helping ensure success by never allowing them to be shocked by too much new material, it's hard for me to imagine this being a good piece "for absolute beginners."






            share|improve this answer















            From a pedagogical standpoint, consider all of the things an "absolute beginner" would have to learn in order to perform this piece:




            • Note names in treble clef

            • Note names in bass clas

            • Note values of whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth

            • Dotted note values

            • Rest values of eighth and sixteenth (and result syncopation)

            • Ties

            • Accidentals

            • Fermata

            • Notation with multiple voices in a single staff

            • Extensive use of ledger lines


            I'm sure there are other things I could add to this list—and I didn't even get into questions of technique or interpretation—but this is a huge list for absolute beginners to learn all at once.



            If your goal as teacher is to find one single piece that illustrates a lot of new concepts all at once, then this prelude is one of many that might fit.



            However, if your goal as a teacher is to gradually move a student forward one step at a time, helping ensure success by never allowing them to be shocked by too much new material, it's hard for me to imagine this being a good piece "for absolute beginners."







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 2 hours ago

























            answered 2 hours ago









            RichardRichard

            39.2k688168




            39.2k688168













            • "helping ensure success by never allowing them to be shocked" I fully agree.. that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;)

              – Albrecht Hügli
              2 hours ago













            • that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;) Richard, you're giving good arguments, they would also fit for the little preludes. I want to show why I consider the 1st prelude as more useful than any children song or a pop sheet with chords and more appropriate than the little menuets of Bach or the inventions, with which I had to start.

              – Albrecht Hügli
              1 hour ago





















            • "helping ensure success by never allowing them to be shocked" I fully agree.. that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;)

              – Albrecht Hügli
              2 hours ago













            • that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;) Richard, you're giving good arguments, they would also fit for the little preludes. I want to show why I consider the 1st prelude as more useful than any children song or a pop sheet with chords and more appropriate than the little menuets of Bach or the inventions, with which I had to start.

              – Albrecht Hügli
              1 hour ago



















            "helping ensure success by never allowing them to be shocked" I fully agree.. that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;)

            – Albrecht Hügli
            2 hours ago







            "helping ensure success by never allowing them to be shocked" I fully agree.. that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;)

            – Albrecht Hügli
            2 hours ago















            that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;) Richard, you're giving good arguments, they would also fit for the little preludes. I want to show why I consider the 1st prelude as more useful than any children song or a pop sheet with chords and more appropriate than the little menuets of Bach or the inventions, with which I had to start.

            – Albrecht Hügli
            1 hour ago







            that's why I wouldn't choose "jesus, joy of men's desiring ;) Richard, you're giving good arguments, they would also fit for the little preludes. I want to show why I consider the 1st prelude as more useful than any children song or a pop sheet with chords and more appropriate than the little menuets of Bach or the inventions, with which I had to start.

            – Albrecht Hügli
            1 hour ago













            2














            Ironically, I did exactly that with one young adult who had never played the piano before. You are looking for objective reasons. Hard to do but I will give it a shot:



            Pros:




            • motivation: The C prelude provides an infinite source of pleasure and can be played, listened to at length and not lose its original appeal. Many beginner pieces don't provide that appeal. It's a great way to provide motivation to a student, especially an adult with limited time.


            • technique: an important aspect of learning to play the piano is to work on hand position. This piece provides a good learning ground for that skill: working on the ability to put the fingers on the keys and then pressing one after the other.


            • accomplishment: the piece is a succession of chords. Even if the adult doesn't succeed in playing the whole piece, they may get a great sense of satisfaction in playing in a loop a couple of lines already.


            • rhythm: the learner won't have to focus on that aspect. That's one challenge that's removed from the plate.



            Cons:




            • challenging to read: if the adult hasn't any music background, that's a lot of notes to read.


            • challenging to memorize: one of the beginner frustration is to spend so much time reading the notes before playing each of them. Usually beginner pieces present the advantage of being short and having notes that follow each other so that they are easy to memorize and the learner can practice playing the piece. The C prelude doesn't provide that advantage.


            • uneven hands: beginner pieces are best if they help the student practice both hands evenly. This piece doesn't help much with the left hand.



            I'd say that with motivation, everything can be accomplished so I think with the right nurturing environment and a good teacher, it is ok to start with this piece: aim for the moon. It's ok if you don't reach it.



            I also think you will be more successful with an adult on this piece as it will be easier for them to see the whole picture. A young kid may get frustrated by the length of the piece and how much work it is to get to the end.






            share|improve this answer


























            • I couldn't say it better!

              – Albrecht Hügli
              1 hour ago











            • "aim for the moon. It's ok if you don't reach it." There are some who can't handle that for a first piece though, so some caution is warranted.

              – Mast
              25 mins ago
















            2














            Ironically, I did exactly that with one young adult who had never played the piano before. You are looking for objective reasons. Hard to do but I will give it a shot:



            Pros:




            • motivation: The C prelude provides an infinite source of pleasure and can be played, listened to at length and not lose its original appeal. Many beginner pieces don't provide that appeal. It's a great way to provide motivation to a student, especially an adult with limited time.


            • technique: an important aspect of learning to play the piano is to work on hand position. This piece provides a good learning ground for that skill: working on the ability to put the fingers on the keys and then pressing one after the other.


            • accomplishment: the piece is a succession of chords. Even if the adult doesn't succeed in playing the whole piece, they may get a great sense of satisfaction in playing in a loop a couple of lines already.


            • rhythm: the learner won't have to focus on that aspect. That's one challenge that's removed from the plate.



            Cons:




            • challenging to read: if the adult hasn't any music background, that's a lot of notes to read.


            • challenging to memorize: one of the beginner frustration is to spend so much time reading the notes before playing each of them. Usually beginner pieces present the advantage of being short and having notes that follow each other so that they are easy to memorize and the learner can practice playing the piece. The C prelude doesn't provide that advantage.


            • uneven hands: beginner pieces are best if they help the student practice both hands evenly. This piece doesn't help much with the left hand.



            I'd say that with motivation, everything can be accomplished so I think with the right nurturing environment and a good teacher, it is ok to start with this piece: aim for the moon. It's ok if you don't reach it.



            I also think you will be more successful with an adult on this piece as it will be easier for them to see the whole picture. A young kid may get frustrated by the length of the piece and how much work it is to get to the end.






            share|improve this answer


























            • I couldn't say it better!

              – Albrecht Hügli
              1 hour ago











            • "aim for the moon. It's ok if you don't reach it." There are some who can't handle that for a first piece though, so some caution is warranted.

              – Mast
              25 mins ago














            2












            2








            2







            Ironically, I did exactly that with one young adult who had never played the piano before. You are looking for objective reasons. Hard to do but I will give it a shot:



            Pros:




            • motivation: The C prelude provides an infinite source of pleasure and can be played, listened to at length and not lose its original appeal. Many beginner pieces don't provide that appeal. It's a great way to provide motivation to a student, especially an adult with limited time.


            • technique: an important aspect of learning to play the piano is to work on hand position. This piece provides a good learning ground for that skill: working on the ability to put the fingers on the keys and then pressing one after the other.


            • accomplishment: the piece is a succession of chords. Even if the adult doesn't succeed in playing the whole piece, they may get a great sense of satisfaction in playing in a loop a couple of lines already.


            • rhythm: the learner won't have to focus on that aspect. That's one challenge that's removed from the plate.



            Cons:




            • challenging to read: if the adult hasn't any music background, that's a lot of notes to read.


            • challenging to memorize: one of the beginner frustration is to spend so much time reading the notes before playing each of them. Usually beginner pieces present the advantage of being short and having notes that follow each other so that they are easy to memorize and the learner can practice playing the piece. The C prelude doesn't provide that advantage.


            • uneven hands: beginner pieces are best if they help the student practice both hands evenly. This piece doesn't help much with the left hand.



            I'd say that with motivation, everything can be accomplished so I think with the right nurturing environment and a good teacher, it is ok to start with this piece: aim for the moon. It's ok if you don't reach it.



            I also think you will be more successful with an adult on this piece as it will be easier for them to see the whole picture. A young kid may get frustrated by the length of the piece and how much work it is to get to the end.






            share|improve this answer















            Ironically, I did exactly that with one young adult who had never played the piano before. You are looking for objective reasons. Hard to do but I will give it a shot:



            Pros:




            • motivation: The C prelude provides an infinite source of pleasure and can be played, listened to at length and not lose its original appeal. Many beginner pieces don't provide that appeal. It's a great way to provide motivation to a student, especially an adult with limited time.


            • technique: an important aspect of learning to play the piano is to work on hand position. This piece provides a good learning ground for that skill: working on the ability to put the fingers on the keys and then pressing one after the other.


            • accomplishment: the piece is a succession of chords. Even if the adult doesn't succeed in playing the whole piece, they may get a great sense of satisfaction in playing in a loop a couple of lines already.


            • rhythm: the learner won't have to focus on that aspect. That's one challenge that's removed from the plate.



            Cons:




            • challenging to read: if the adult hasn't any music background, that's a lot of notes to read.


            • challenging to memorize: one of the beginner frustration is to spend so much time reading the notes before playing each of them. Usually beginner pieces present the advantage of being short and having notes that follow each other so that they are easy to memorize and the learner can practice playing the piece. The C prelude doesn't provide that advantage.


            • uneven hands: beginner pieces are best if they help the student practice both hands evenly. This piece doesn't help much with the left hand.



            I'd say that with motivation, everything can be accomplished so I think with the right nurturing environment and a good teacher, it is ok to start with this piece: aim for the moon. It's ok if you don't reach it.



            I also think you will be more successful with an adult on this piece as it will be easier for them to see the whole picture. A young kid may get frustrated by the length of the piece and how much work it is to get to the end.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 2 hours ago

























            answered 2 hours ago









            LoloLolo

            1,295711




            1,295711













            • I couldn't say it better!

              – Albrecht Hügli
              1 hour ago











            • "aim for the moon. It's ok if you don't reach it." There are some who can't handle that for a first piece though, so some caution is warranted.

              – Mast
              25 mins ago



















            • I couldn't say it better!

              – Albrecht Hügli
              1 hour ago











            • "aim for the moon. It's ok if you don't reach it." There are some who can't handle that for a first piece though, so some caution is warranted.

              – Mast
              25 mins ago

















            I couldn't say it better!

            – Albrecht Hügli
            1 hour ago





            I couldn't say it better!

            – Albrecht Hügli
            1 hour ago













            "aim for the moon. It's ok if you don't reach it." There are some who can't handle that for a first piece though, so some caution is warranted.

            – Mast
            25 mins ago





            "aim for the moon. It's ok if you don't reach it." There are some who can't handle that for a first piece though, so some caution is warranted.

            – Mast
            25 mins ago











            -1














            That's not an unreasonable 'first piece' for an adult beginner who can cope with notation on an intellectual level.






            share|improve this answer




























              -1














              That's not an unreasonable 'first piece' for an adult beginner who can cope with notation on an intellectual level.






              share|improve this answer


























                -1












                -1








                -1







                That's not an unreasonable 'first piece' for an adult beginner who can cope with notation on an intellectual level.






                share|improve this answer













                That's not an unreasonable 'first piece' for an adult beginner who can cope with notation on an intellectual level.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered 2 hours ago









                Laurence PayneLaurence Payne

                32.5k1560




                32.5k1560






























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