Would it benefit a beginner pianist to start by learning Bach's Prelude in C?












5















I'm asking for objective reasons why this piece can be quite useful for beginners, specifically those who cannot yet read music. I'm not asking for meanings or arguments as a discussion but for examples of copies or tutorials.










share|improve this question




















  • 2





    I must ask that you clarify or elaborate on what the question means. Did you mean "Would it benefit a beginner pianist to start by learning Bach's Prelude in C"?

    – user45266
    12 hours ago













  • Do you mean a person who has never played piano, but has learnt other instruments and can read music reasonably well? Or someone who has never learnt any instrument and cannot read music? The two answers might be very different.

    – Dawood ibn Kareem
    11 hours ago











  • Both! I'm really thinking of an absolute musical analphabet.

    – Albrecht Hügli
    6 hours ago











  • It can be a very useful piece for teaching harmony.

    – PeterJ
    4 hours ago






  • 1





    All the answers so far have assumed you want this beginner to be taught to read the music, as well as perform the piece. Did you intend that to be a requirement?

    – AakashM
    4 hours ago
















5















I'm asking for objective reasons why this piece can be quite useful for beginners, specifically those who cannot yet read music. I'm not asking for meanings or arguments as a discussion but for examples of copies or tutorials.










share|improve this question




















  • 2





    I must ask that you clarify or elaborate on what the question means. Did you mean "Would it benefit a beginner pianist to start by learning Bach's Prelude in C"?

    – user45266
    12 hours ago













  • Do you mean a person who has never played piano, but has learnt other instruments and can read music reasonably well? Or someone who has never learnt any instrument and cannot read music? The two answers might be very different.

    – Dawood ibn Kareem
    11 hours ago











  • Both! I'm really thinking of an absolute musical analphabet.

    – Albrecht Hügli
    6 hours ago











  • It can be a very useful piece for teaching harmony.

    – PeterJ
    4 hours ago






  • 1





    All the answers so far have assumed you want this beginner to be taught to read the music, as well as perform the piece. Did you intend that to be a requirement?

    – AakashM
    4 hours ago














5












5








5


1






I'm asking for objective reasons why this piece can be quite useful for beginners, specifically those who cannot yet read music. I'm not asking for meanings or arguments as a discussion but for examples of copies or tutorials.










share|improve this question
















I'm asking for objective reasons why this piece can be quite useful for beginners, specifically those who cannot yet read music. I'm not asking for meanings or arguments as a discussion but for examples of copies or tutorials.







piano chords learning beginner






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share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 42 mins ago









user45266

2,364327




2,364327










asked yesterday









Albrecht HügliAlbrecht Hügli

39312




39312








  • 2





    I must ask that you clarify or elaborate on what the question means. Did you mean "Would it benefit a beginner pianist to start by learning Bach's Prelude in C"?

    – user45266
    12 hours ago













  • Do you mean a person who has never played piano, but has learnt other instruments and can read music reasonably well? Or someone who has never learnt any instrument and cannot read music? The two answers might be very different.

    – Dawood ibn Kareem
    11 hours ago











  • Both! I'm really thinking of an absolute musical analphabet.

    – Albrecht Hügli
    6 hours ago











  • It can be a very useful piece for teaching harmony.

    – PeterJ
    4 hours ago






  • 1





    All the answers so far have assumed you want this beginner to be taught to read the music, as well as perform the piece. Did you intend that to be a requirement?

    – AakashM
    4 hours ago














  • 2





    I must ask that you clarify or elaborate on what the question means. Did you mean "Would it benefit a beginner pianist to start by learning Bach's Prelude in C"?

    – user45266
    12 hours ago













  • Do you mean a person who has never played piano, but has learnt other instruments and can read music reasonably well? Or someone who has never learnt any instrument and cannot read music? The two answers might be very different.

    – Dawood ibn Kareem
    11 hours ago











  • Both! I'm really thinking of an absolute musical analphabet.

    – Albrecht Hügli
    6 hours ago











  • It can be a very useful piece for teaching harmony.

    – PeterJ
    4 hours ago






  • 1





    All the answers so far have assumed you want this beginner to be taught to read the music, as well as perform the piece. Did you intend that to be a requirement?

    – AakashM
    4 hours ago








2




2





I must ask that you clarify or elaborate on what the question means. Did you mean "Would it benefit a beginner pianist to start by learning Bach's Prelude in C"?

– user45266
12 hours ago







I must ask that you clarify or elaborate on what the question means. Did you mean "Would it benefit a beginner pianist to start by learning Bach's Prelude in C"?

– user45266
12 hours ago















Do you mean a person who has never played piano, but has learnt other instruments and can read music reasonably well? Or someone who has never learnt any instrument and cannot read music? The two answers might be very different.

– Dawood ibn Kareem
11 hours ago





Do you mean a person who has never played piano, but has learnt other instruments and can read music reasonably well? Or someone who has never learnt any instrument and cannot read music? The two answers might be very different.

– Dawood ibn Kareem
11 hours ago













Both! I'm really thinking of an absolute musical analphabet.

– Albrecht Hügli
6 hours ago





Both! I'm really thinking of an absolute musical analphabet.

– Albrecht Hügli
6 hours ago













It can be a very useful piece for teaching harmony.

– PeterJ
4 hours ago





It can be a very useful piece for teaching harmony.

– PeterJ
4 hours ago




1




1





All the answers so far have assumed you want this beginner to be taught to read the music, as well as perform the piece. Did you intend that to be a requirement?

– AakashM
4 hours ago





All the answers so far have assumed you want this beginner to be taught to read the music, as well as perform the piece. Did you intend that to be a requirement?

– AakashM
4 hours ago










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















19














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 a 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


























  • 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
    23 hours ago








  • 1





    @AlbrechtHügli I have a book of Czerny's etude, which was to me a good starting point (pieces with only the treble key, or which alternate with the bass key). Some don't even sound as bad/boring as I've heard some people say about Czerny's work. The point is that this line of work allows a better learning curve for beginners. It's possible to start with the etude you're suggesting but it has all the obstacles that Richard has in his answer. Of course if you have already made up your mind, we can't force you otherwise.

    – Pierre Arlaud
    7 hours ago











  • @ Pierre your coming to the point! Of course I would give some etudes (as Czerny's) or own etudes developed of the Prelude 1)

    – Albrecht Hügli
    6 hours ago



















9














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
    23 hours ago






  • 3





    "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
    22 hours ago











  • How many people keep playing an instrument for which they had lessons in childhood? ...could that failure rate have anything to do with inappropriate 'challenges' or a badly designed sequence of lessons?

    – Michael Curtis
    21 hours ago






  • 1





    Absolutely, some caution is definitely warranted. Students will react differently when faced to a great challenge. I would not introduce this piece to a beginner unless they asked for it and were aware it may be too much of a challenge. My comment is simply that it can have merits to a beginner. Even so, I would watch for signs of too much frustration, pulling the student out of the piece if they were not making progress with it and becoming increasingly frustrated. We all react differently to challenge.

    – Lolo
    19 hours ago






  • 1





    I'd like to stress the sense of accomplishment and pleasure! I started young and got little pleasure from elementary pieces. But Grade 3 included the prelude BWV999 (similar but slightly simpler than BWV846). That was the first piece I really enjoyed! Partly because, well, it's Bach (yum yum) — but also because its simple chordal structure meant that I could play a ‘big boys' piece’ well. That piece and the enjoyment it gave is probably one of the main reasons I persevered with the piano. Not sure it's a suitable first piece; but I'm for introducing Bach early!

    – gidds
    18 hours ago



















1














I'd say it's a good beginner piece, the arpeggio pattern repeats itself. I had an easier time writing the notes like this though because it's more condensed.



Use this pattern for all lines, first line example: C E G C E G C E



C E G C E

C D A D F

B D G D F

C E G C E

C E A E A

C D F# A D

B D G D G

B C E G A

A C E G C

D A D F# C



B G D G B

G Bb E G C#

F A D A D

F Ab D F B

E G C G C

E F A C F

D F A C F

G D G B F

C E B C E

C G B E C



F F A C E

F# C A C Eb

Ab F B C D

G F G B D

G E G C E

G F G C F

G D G B F

G Eb A C F#



G E G C G

G D B C E

G D G B F

C C G Bb E

C C A C E

E B D F G B D F

C C E G C






share|improve this answer


























  • Up vote as you give an impotant reason: the pattern (in rhthmic. and harmoic concern). Why did you post all the notes? Maybe as some say they can‘t read sheet music? (There are some errors by the way)

    – Albrecht Hügli
    9 hours ago













  • @AlbrechtHügli sheet music is highly inefficient sometimes, especially in the case of this song for example which is just chords/arpeggios. I think it's better to go about understanding the chords/theory behind it. look for "harmonic analysis bach prelude c" on youtube and you'll see what I mean.

    – foreyez
    1 hour ago





















0














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






share|improve this answer
























  • An elaboration with objective reasoning would be appreciated, as per OP's (possibly edited) request.

    – user45266
    12 hours ago











  • up vote for the term intellectual ;)

    – Albrecht Hügli
    6 hours ago



















0














As you're after the objective: I'm currently doing exactly this! I'm a 40-something with no prior piano experience. Musical ability limited to bass and guitar via tabs.



It's a stretch but more fun than "simpler" pieces I have access to: my daughter has had tuition and has several simple books (largely aimed at the under-10s). I don't really have the opportunity currently to seek formal tuition. Real proficiency is a long way off if ever obtainable but in the meantime if I can only ever play one tune I'm happy it'll be one I enjoy. (I'll save the C# prelude for later.)



As a (near) absolute beginner I think it depends on the beginner: I doubt my daughter would get as much from it as I would given a love of WTC. Although coming to Bach early in life can only be a good thing.



As a guitar and bass hack I'm happy to play (badly) for my own amusement. I can think of friends that this would put off starting here as they'd prefer to master "simple" first to have a sense of achievement. As a novice, I think it depends on the individual.



For completeness I should add this is largely because of James Rhodes "How To Play Piano" book, which is based on learning this very prelude.






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    5 Answers
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    5 Answers
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    active

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    19














    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 a 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


























    • 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
      23 hours ago








    • 1





      @AlbrechtHügli I have a book of Czerny's etude, which was to me a good starting point (pieces with only the treble key, or which alternate with the bass key). Some don't even sound as bad/boring as I've heard some people say about Czerny's work. The point is that this line of work allows a better learning curve for beginners. It's possible to start with the etude you're suggesting but it has all the obstacles that Richard has in his answer. Of course if you have already made up your mind, we can't force you otherwise.

      – Pierre Arlaud
      7 hours ago











    • @ Pierre your coming to the point! Of course I would give some etudes (as Czerny's) or own etudes developed of the Prelude 1)

      – Albrecht Hügli
      6 hours ago
















    19














    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 a 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


























    • 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
      23 hours ago








    • 1





      @AlbrechtHügli I have a book of Czerny's etude, which was to me a good starting point (pieces with only the treble key, or which alternate with the bass key). Some don't even sound as bad/boring as I've heard some people say about Czerny's work. The point is that this line of work allows a better learning curve for beginners. It's possible to start with the etude you're suggesting but it has all the obstacles that Richard has in his answer. Of course if you have already made up your mind, we can't force you otherwise.

      – Pierre Arlaud
      7 hours ago











    • @ Pierre your coming to the point! Of course I would give some etudes (as Czerny's) or own etudes developed of the Prelude 1)

      – Albrecht Hügli
      6 hours ago














    19












    19








    19







    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 a 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 a 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 7 hours ago

























    answered 23 hours ago









    RichardRichard

    39.3k688169




    39.3k688169













    • 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
      23 hours ago








    • 1





      @AlbrechtHügli I have a book of Czerny's etude, which was to me a good starting point (pieces with only the treble key, or which alternate with the bass key). Some don't even sound as bad/boring as I've heard some people say about Czerny's work. The point is that this line of work allows a better learning curve for beginners. It's possible to start with the etude you're suggesting but it has all the obstacles that Richard has in his answer. Of course if you have already made up your mind, we can't force you otherwise.

      – Pierre Arlaud
      7 hours ago











    • @ Pierre your coming to the point! Of course I would give some etudes (as Czerny's) or own etudes developed of the Prelude 1)

      – Albrecht Hügli
      6 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
      23 hours ago








    • 1





      @AlbrechtHügli I have a book of Czerny's etude, which was to me a good starting point (pieces with only the treble key, or which alternate with the bass key). Some don't even sound as bad/boring as I've heard some people say about Czerny's work. The point is that this line of work allows a better learning curve for beginners. It's possible to start with the etude you're suggesting but it has all the obstacles that Richard has in his answer. Of course if you have already made up your mind, we can't force you otherwise.

      – Pierre Arlaud
      7 hours ago











    • @ Pierre your coming to the point! Of course I would give some etudes (as Czerny's) or own etudes developed of the Prelude 1)

      – Albrecht Hügli
      6 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
    23 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
    23 hours ago






    1




    1





    @AlbrechtHügli I have a book of Czerny's etude, which was to me a good starting point (pieces with only the treble key, or which alternate with the bass key). Some don't even sound as bad/boring as I've heard some people say about Czerny's work. The point is that this line of work allows a better learning curve for beginners. It's possible to start with the etude you're suggesting but it has all the obstacles that Richard has in his answer. Of course if you have already made up your mind, we can't force you otherwise.

    – Pierre Arlaud
    7 hours ago





    @AlbrechtHügli I have a book of Czerny's etude, which was to me a good starting point (pieces with only the treble key, or which alternate with the bass key). Some don't even sound as bad/boring as I've heard some people say about Czerny's work. The point is that this line of work allows a better learning curve for beginners. It's possible to start with the etude you're suggesting but it has all the obstacles that Richard has in his answer. Of course if you have already made up your mind, we can't force you otherwise.

    – Pierre Arlaud
    7 hours ago













    @ Pierre your coming to the point! Of course I would give some etudes (as Czerny's) or own etudes developed of the Prelude 1)

    – Albrecht Hügli
    6 hours ago





    @ Pierre your coming to the point! Of course I would give some etudes (as Czerny's) or own etudes developed of the Prelude 1)

    – Albrecht Hügli
    6 hours ago











    9














    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
      23 hours ago






    • 3





      "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
      22 hours ago











    • How many people keep playing an instrument for which they had lessons in childhood? ...could that failure rate have anything to do with inappropriate 'challenges' or a badly designed sequence of lessons?

      – Michael Curtis
      21 hours ago






    • 1





      Absolutely, some caution is definitely warranted. Students will react differently when faced to a great challenge. I would not introduce this piece to a beginner unless they asked for it and were aware it may be too much of a challenge. My comment is simply that it can have merits to a beginner. Even so, I would watch for signs of too much frustration, pulling the student out of the piece if they were not making progress with it and becoming increasingly frustrated. We all react differently to challenge.

      – Lolo
      19 hours ago






    • 1





      I'd like to stress the sense of accomplishment and pleasure! I started young and got little pleasure from elementary pieces. But Grade 3 included the prelude BWV999 (similar but slightly simpler than BWV846). That was the first piece I really enjoyed! Partly because, well, it's Bach (yum yum) — but also because its simple chordal structure meant that I could play a ‘big boys' piece’ well. That piece and the enjoyment it gave is probably one of the main reasons I persevered with the piano. Not sure it's a suitable first piece; but I'm for introducing Bach early!

      – gidds
      18 hours ago
















    9














    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
      23 hours ago






    • 3





      "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
      22 hours ago











    • How many people keep playing an instrument for which they had lessons in childhood? ...could that failure rate have anything to do with inappropriate 'challenges' or a badly designed sequence of lessons?

      – Michael Curtis
      21 hours ago






    • 1





      Absolutely, some caution is definitely warranted. Students will react differently when faced to a great challenge. I would not introduce this piece to a beginner unless they asked for it and were aware it may be too much of a challenge. My comment is simply that it can have merits to a beginner. Even so, I would watch for signs of too much frustration, pulling the student out of the piece if they were not making progress with it and becoming increasingly frustrated. We all react differently to challenge.

      – Lolo
      19 hours ago






    • 1





      I'd like to stress the sense of accomplishment and pleasure! I started young and got little pleasure from elementary pieces. But Grade 3 included the prelude BWV999 (similar but slightly simpler than BWV846). That was the first piece I really enjoyed! Partly because, well, it's Bach (yum yum) — but also because its simple chordal structure meant that I could play a ‘big boys' piece’ well. That piece and the enjoyment it gave is probably one of the main reasons I persevered with the piano. Not sure it's a suitable first piece; but I'm for introducing Bach early!

      – gidds
      18 hours ago














    9












    9








    9







    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 23 hours ago

























    answered 23 hours ago









    LoloLolo

    1,365711




    1,365711













    • I couldn't say it better!

      – Albrecht Hügli
      23 hours ago






    • 3





      "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
      22 hours ago











    • How many people keep playing an instrument for which they had lessons in childhood? ...could that failure rate have anything to do with inappropriate 'challenges' or a badly designed sequence of lessons?

      – Michael Curtis
      21 hours ago






    • 1





      Absolutely, some caution is definitely warranted. Students will react differently when faced to a great challenge. I would not introduce this piece to a beginner unless they asked for it and were aware it may be too much of a challenge. My comment is simply that it can have merits to a beginner. Even so, I would watch for signs of too much frustration, pulling the student out of the piece if they were not making progress with it and becoming increasingly frustrated. We all react differently to challenge.

      – Lolo
      19 hours ago






    • 1





      I'd like to stress the sense of accomplishment and pleasure! I started young and got little pleasure from elementary pieces. But Grade 3 included the prelude BWV999 (similar but slightly simpler than BWV846). That was the first piece I really enjoyed! Partly because, well, it's Bach (yum yum) — but also because its simple chordal structure meant that I could play a ‘big boys' piece’ well. That piece and the enjoyment it gave is probably one of the main reasons I persevered with the piano. Not sure it's a suitable first piece; but I'm for introducing Bach early!

      – gidds
      18 hours ago



















    • I couldn't say it better!

      – Albrecht Hügli
      23 hours ago






    • 3





      "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
      22 hours ago











    • How many people keep playing an instrument for which they had lessons in childhood? ...could that failure rate have anything to do with inappropriate 'challenges' or a badly designed sequence of lessons?

      – Michael Curtis
      21 hours ago






    • 1





      Absolutely, some caution is definitely warranted. Students will react differently when faced to a great challenge. I would not introduce this piece to a beginner unless they asked for it and were aware it may be too much of a challenge. My comment is simply that it can have merits to a beginner. Even so, I would watch for signs of too much frustration, pulling the student out of the piece if they were not making progress with it and becoming increasingly frustrated. We all react differently to challenge.

      – Lolo
      19 hours ago






    • 1





      I'd like to stress the sense of accomplishment and pleasure! I started young and got little pleasure from elementary pieces. But Grade 3 included the prelude BWV999 (similar but slightly simpler than BWV846). That was the first piece I really enjoyed! Partly because, well, it's Bach (yum yum) — but also because its simple chordal structure meant that I could play a ‘big boys' piece’ well. That piece and the enjoyment it gave is probably one of the main reasons I persevered with the piano. Not sure it's a suitable first piece; but I'm for introducing Bach early!

      – gidds
      18 hours ago

















    I couldn't say it better!

    – Albrecht Hügli
    23 hours ago





    I couldn't say it better!

    – Albrecht Hügli
    23 hours ago




    3




    3





    "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
    22 hours 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
    22 hours ago













    How many people keep playing an instrument for which they had lessons in childhood? ...could that failure rate have anything to do with inappropriate 'challenges' or a badly designed sequence of lessons?

    – Michael Curtis
    21 hours ago





    How many people keep playing an instrument for which they had lessons in childhood? ...could that failure rate have anything to do with inappropriate 'challenges' or a badly designed sequence of lessons?

    – Michael Curtis
    21 hours ago




    1




    1





    Absolutely, some caution is definitely warranted. Students will react differently when faced to a great challenge. I would not introduce this piece to a beginner unless they asked for it and were aware it may be too much of a challenge. My comment is simply that it can have merits to a beginner. Even so, I would watch for signs of too much frustration, pulling the student out of the piece if they were not making progress with it and becoming increasingly frustrated. We all react differently to challenge.

    – Lolo
    19 hours ago





    Absolutely, some caution is definitely warranted. Students will react differently when faced to a great challenge. I would not introduce this piece to a beginner unless they asked for it and were aware it may be too much of a challenge. My comment is simply that it can have merits to a beginner. Even so, I would watch for signs of too much frustration, pulling the student out of the piece if they were not making progress with it and becoming increasingly frustrated. We all react differently to challenge.

    – Lolo
    19 hours ago




    1




    1





    I'd like to stress the sense of accomplishment and pleasure! I started young and got little pleasure from elementary pieces. But Grade 3 included the prelude BWV999 (similar but slightly simpler than BWV846). That was the first piece I really enjoyed! Partly because, well, it's Bach (yum yum) — but also because its simple chordal structure meant that I could play a ‘big boys' piece’ well. That piece and the enjoyment it gave is probably one of the main reasons I persevered with the piano. Not sure it's a suitable first piece; but I'm for introducing Bach early!

    – gidds
    18 hours ago





    I'd like to stress the sense of accomplishment and pleasure! I started young and got little pleasure from elementary pieces. But Grade 3 included the prelude BWV999 (similar but slightly simpler than BWV846). That was the first piece I really enjoyed! Partly because, well, it's Bach (yum yum) — but also because its simple chordal structure meant that I could play a ‘big boys' piece’ well. That piece and the enjoyment it gave is probably one of the main reasons I persevered with the piano. Not sure it's a suitable first piece; but I'm for introducing Bach early!

    – gidds
    18 hours ago











    1














    I'd say it's a good beginner piece, the arpeggio pattern repeats itself. I had an easier time writing the notes like this though because it's more condensed.



    Use this pattern for all lines, first line example: C E G C E G C E



    C E G C E

    C D A D F

    B D G D F

    C E G C E

    C E A E A

    C D F# A D

    B D G D G

    B C E G A

    A C E G C

    D A D F# C



    B G D G B

    G Bb E G C#

    F A D A D

    F Ab D F B

    E G C G C

    E F A C F

    D F A C F

    G D G B F

    C E B C E

    C G B E C



    F F A C E

    F# C A C Eb

    Ab F B C D

    G F G B D

    G E G C E

    G F G C F

    G D G B F

    G Eb A C F#



    G E G C G

    G D B C E

    G D G B F

    C C G Bb E

    C C A C E

    E B D F G B D F

    C C E G C






    share|improve this answer


























    • Up vote as you give an impotant reason: the pattern (in rhthmic. and harmoic concern). Why did you post all the notes? Maybe as some say they can‘t read sheet music? (There are some errors by the way)

      – Albrecht Hügli
      9 hours ago













    • @AlbrechtHügli sheet music is highly inefficient sometimes, especially in the case of this song for example which is just chords/arpeggios. I think it's better to go about understanding the chords/theory behind it. look for "harmonic analysis bach prelude c" on youtube and you'll see what I mean.

      – foreyez
      1 hour ago


















    1














    I'd say it's a good beginner piece, the arpeggio pattern repeats itself. I had an easier time writing the notes like this though because it's more condensed.



    Use this pattern for all lines, first line example: C E G C E G C E



    C E G C E

    C D A D F

    B D G D F

    C E G C E

    C E A E A

    C D F# A D

    B D G D G

    B C E G A

    A C E G C

    D A D F# C



    B G D G B

    G Bb E G C#

    F A D A D

    F Ab D F B

    E G C G C

    E F A C F

    D F A C F

    G D G B F

    C E B C E

    C G B E C



    F F A C E

    F# C A C Eb

    Ab F B C D

    G F G B D

    G E G C E

    G F G C F

    G D G B F

    G Eb A C F#



    G E G C G

    G D B C E

    G D G B F

    C C G Bb E

    C C A C E

    E B D F G B D F

    C C E G C






    share|improve this answer


























    • Up vote as you give an impotant reason: the pattern (in rhthmic. and harmoic concern). Why did you post all the notes? Maybe as some say they can‘t read sheet music? (There are some errors by the way)

      – Albrecht Hügli
      9 hours ago













    • @AlbrechtHügli sheet music is highly inefficient sometimes, especially in the case of this song for example which is just chords/arpeggios. I think it's better to go about understanding the chords/theory behind it. look for "harmonic analysis bach prelude c" on youtube and you'll see what I mean.

      – foreyez
      1 hour ago
















    1












    1








    1







    I'd say it's a good beginner piece, the arpeggio pattern repeats itself. I had an easier time writing the notes like this though because it's more condensed.



    Use this pattern for all lines, first line example: C E G C E G C E



    C E G C E

    C D A D F

    B D G D F

    C E G C E

    C E A E A

    C D F# A D

    B D G D G

    B C E G A

    A C E G C

    D A D F# C



    B G D G B

    G Bb E G C#

    F A D A D

    F Ab D F B

    E G C G C

    E F A C F

    D F A C F

    G D G B F

    C E B C E

    C G B E C



    F F A C E

    F# C A C Eb

    Ab F B C D

    G F G B D

    G E G C E

    G F G C F

    G D G B F

    G Eb A C F#



    G E G C G

    G D B C E

    G D G B F

    C C G Bb E

    C C A C E

    E B D F G B D F

    C C E G C






    share|improve this answer















    I'd say it's a good beginner piece, the arpeggio pattern repeats itself. I had an easier time writing the notes like this though because it's more condensed.



    Use this pattern for all lines, first line example: C E G C E G C E



    C E G C E

    C D A D F

    B D G D F

    C E G C E

    C E A E A

    C D F# A D

    B D G D G

    B C E G A

    A C E G C

    D A D F# C



    B G D G B

    G Bb E G C#

    F A D A D

    F Ab D F B

    E G C G C

    E F A C F

    D F A C F

    G D G B F

    C E B C E

    C G B E C



    F F A C E

    F# C A C Eb

    Ab F B C D

    G F G B D

    G E G C E

    G F G C F

    G D G B F

    G Eb A C F#



    G E G C G

    G D B C E

    G D G B F

    C C G Bb E

    C C A C E

    E B D F G B D F

    C C E G C







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 10 hours ago

























    answered 10 hours ago









    foreyezforeyez

    4,32432475




    4,32432475













    • Up vote as you give an impotant reason: the pattern (in rhthmic. and harmoic concern). Why did you post all the notes? Maybe as some say they can‘t read sheet music? (There are some errors by the way)

      – Albrecht Hügli
      9 hours ago













    • @AlbrechtHügli sheet music is highly inefficient sometimes, especially in the case of this song for example which is just chords/arpeggios. I think it's better to go about understanding the chords/theory behind it. look for "harmonic analysis bach prelude c" on youtube and you'll see what I mean.

      – foreyez
      1 hour ago





















    • Up vote as you give an impotant reason: the pattern (in rhthmic. and harmoic concern). Why did you post all the notes? Maybe as some say they can‘t read sheet music? (There are some errors by the way)

      – Albrecht Hügli
      9 hours ago













    • @AlbrechtHügli sheet music is highly inefficient sometimes, especially in the case of this song for example which is just chords/arpeggios. I think it's better to go about understanding the chords/theory behind it. look for "harmonic analysis bach prelude c" on youtube and you'll see what I mean.

      – foreyez
      1 hour ago



















    Up vote as you give an impotant reason: the pattern (in rhthmic. and harmoic concern). Why did you post all the notes? Maybe as some say they can‘t read sheet music? (There are some errors by the way)

    – Albrecht Hügli
    9 hours ago







    Up vote as you give an impotant reason: the pattern (in rhthmic. and harmoic concern). Why did you post all the notes? Maybe as some say they can‘t read sheet music? (There are some errors by the way)

    – Albrecht Hügli
    9 hours ago















    @AlbrechtHügli sheet music is highly inefficient sometimes, especially in the case of this song for example which is just chords/arpeggios. I think it's better to go about understanding the chords/theory behind it. look for "harmonic analysis bach prelude c" on youtube and you'll see what I mean.

    – foreyez
    1 hour ago







    @AlbrechtHügli sheet music is highly inefficient sometimes, especially in the case of this song for example which is just chords/arpeggios. I think it's better to go about understanding the chords/theory behind it. look for "harmonic analysis bach prelude c" on youtube and you'll see what I mean.

    – foreyez
    1 hour ago













    0














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






    share|improve this answer
























    • An elaboration with objective reasoning would be appreciated, as per OP's (possibly edited) request.

      – user45266
      12 hours ago











    • up vote for the term intellectual ;)

      – Albrecht Hügli
      6 hours ago
















    0














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






    share|improve this answer
























    • An elaboration with objective reasoning would be appreciated, as per OP's (possibly edited) request.

      – user45266
      12 hours ago











    • up vote for the term intellectual ;)

      – Albrecht Hügli
      6 hours ago














    0












    0








    0







    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 yesterday









    Laurence PayneLaurence Payne

    32.5k1560




    32.5k1560













    • An elaboration with objective reasoning would be appreciated, as per OP's (possibly edited) request.

      – user45266
      12 hours ago











    • up vote for the term intellectual ;)

      – Albrecht Hügli
      6 hours ago



















    • An elaboration with objective reasoning would be appreciated, as per OP's (possibly edited) request.

      – user45266
      12 hours ago











    • up vote for the term intellectual ;)

      – Albrecht Hügli
      6 hours ago

















    An elaboration with objective reasoning would be appreciated, as per OP's (possibly edited) request.

    – user45266
    12 hours ago





    An elaboration with objective reasoning would be appreciated, as per OP's (possibly edited) request.

    – user45266
    12 hours ago













    up vote for the term intellectual ;)

    – Albrecht Hügli
    6 hours ago





    up vote for the term intellectual ;)

    – Albrecht Hügli
    6 hours ago











    0














    As you're after the objective: I'm currently doing exactly this! I'm a 40-something with no prior piano experience. Musical ability limited to bass and guitar via tabs.



    It's a stretch but more fun than "simpler" pieces I have access to: my daughter has had tuition and has several simple books (largely aimed at the under-10s). I don't really have the opportunity currently to seek formal tuition. Real proficiency is a long way off if ever obtainable but in the meantime if I can only ever play one tune I'm happy it'll be one I enjoy. (I'll save the C# prelude for later.)



    As a (near) absolute beginner I think it depends on the beginner: I doubt my daughter would get as much from it as I would given a love of WTC. Although coming to Bach early in life can only be a good thing.



    As a guitar and bass hack I'm happy to play (badly) for my own amusement. I can think of friends that this would put off starting here as they'd prefer to master "simple" first to have a sense of achievement. As a novice, I think it depends on the individual.



    For completeness I should add this is largely because of James Rhodes "How To Play Piano" book, which is based on learning this very prelude.






    share|improve this answer








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    Andrew Richards is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      0














      As you're after the objective: I'm currently doing exactly this! I'm a 40-something with no prior piano experience. Musical ability limited to bass and guitar via tabs.



      It's a stretch but more fun than "simpler" pieces I have access to: my daughter has had tuition and has several simple books (largely aimed at the under-10s). I don't really have the opportunity currently to seek formal tuition. Real proficiency is a long way off if ever obtainable but in the meantime if I can only ever play one tune I'm happy it'll be one I enjoy. (I'll save the C# prelude for later.)



      As a (near) absolute beginner I think it depends on the beginner: I doubt my daughter would get as much from it as I would given a love of WTC. Although coming to Bach early in life can only be a good thing.



      As a guitar and bass hack I'm happy to play (badly) for my own amusement. I can think of friends that this would put off starting here as they'd prefer to master "simple" first to have a sense of achievement. As a novice, I think it depends on the individual.



      For completeness I should add this is largely because of James Rhodes "How To Play Piano" book, which is based on learning this very prelude.






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        As you're after the objective: I'm currently doing exactly this! I'm a 40-something with no prior piano experience. Musical ability limited to bass and guitar via tabs.



        It's a stretch but more fun than "simpler" pieces I have access to: my daughter has had tuition and has several simple books (largely aimed at the under-10s). I don't really have the opportunity currently to seek formal tuition. Real proficiency is a long way off if ever obtainable but in the meantime if I can only ever play one tune I'm happy it'll be one I enjoy. (I'll save the C# prelude for later.)



        As a (near) absolute beginner I think it depends on the beginner: I doubt my daughter would get as much from it as I would given a love of WTC. Although coming to Bach early in life can only be a good thing.



        As a guitar and bass hack I'm happy to play (badly) for my own amusement. I can think of friends that this would put off starting here as they'd prefer to master "simple" first to have a sense of achievement. As a novice, I think it depends on the individual.



        For completeness I should add this is largely because of James Rhodes "How To Play Piano" book, which is based on learning this very prelude.






        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        Andrew Richards is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.










        As you're after the objective: I'm currently doing exactly this! I'm a 40-something with no prior piano experience. Musical ability limited to bass and guitar via tabs.



        It's a stretch but more fun than "simpler" pieces I have access to: my daughter has had tuition and has several simple books (largely aimed at the under-10s). I don't really have the opportunity currently to seek formal tuition. Real proficiency is a long way off if ever obtainable but in the meantime if I can only ever play one tune I'm happy it'll be one I enjoy. (I'll save the C# prelude for later.)



        As a (near) absolute beginner I think it depends on the beginner: I doubt my daughter would get as much from it as I would given a love of WTC. Although coming to Bach early in life can only be a good thing.



        As a guitar and bass hack I'm happy to play (badly) for my own amusement. I can think of friends that this would put off starting here as they'd prefer to master "simple" first to have a sense of achievement. As a novice, I think it depends on the individual.



        For completeness I should add this is largely because of James Rhodes "How To Play Piano" book, which is based on learning this very prelude.







        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        Andrew Richards is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer






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        answered 5 hours ago









        Andrew RichardsAndrew Richards

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        New contributor





        Andrew Richards is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






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