beginner's question about satie

[megwoodruff]

I am an older adult beginner (3 months so far, with Albert's course, and sheet music of Fur Elise, Moonlight Sonata, part 1).  I am trying to learn Satie's Gymnopedie #1.  I have an embarrassingly simple question: is it the left hand that plays the alternating notes (g and d) and corresponding chords?  and then the right hand that comes in with the "melody", the upper voice in the upper G clef?

I downloaded the sheet music from here but it did not have fingering.

Forgive my ignorance; what I lack in experience, I make up for in enthusiasm to learn this amazing instrument!

[stevebob]

I am trying to learn Satie's Gymnopedie #1.  I have an embarrassingly simple question: is it the left hand that plays the alternating notes (g and d) and corresponding chords?  and then the right hand that comes in with the "melody", the upper voice in the upper G clef?

Yes, that's correct.

There's no reason for embarrassment.  "The only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask" may be a timeworn aphorism, but it's true. 

Cheers and happy playing!

[megwoodruff]

thank you, I will plow ahead.  I do think that aphorism is true but am hoping another one, the "can't teach an old dog new tricks," is not"!

[perfect_pitch]

I have an embarrassingly simple question: is it the left hand that plays the alternating notes (g and d) and corresponding chords?  and then the right hand that comes in with the "melody", the upper voice in the upper G clef?

I believe that for the most part yes, however there is a part somewhere in the middle where it can suggest that you are to use the right hand to play the top part of a chord (where it turns in to a ninth chord) D, G, B, E (with RH) and C, F#, A, D (with RH)

[stevebob]

thank you, I will plow ahead.  I do think that aphorism is true but am hoping another one, the "can't teach an old dog new tricks," is not"!

Hehe, I reckon it's only true as regards old dogs who are so resolutely set in their ways that they don't want to learn anything new.  

[scottmcc]

I believe that for the most part yes, however there is a part somewhere in the middle where it can suggest that you are to use the right hand to play the top part of a chord (where it turns in to a ninth chord) D, G, B, E (with RH) and C, F#, A, D (with RH)

yes, there are some chords which are easier to reach with the right hand helping with the top voice, but for a beginner, it may be easier to use the left hand exclusively, so as to keep the voicing steady (much easier than trying to share the voice between both hands).  but this depends on having large-ish hands.

the other two gymnopedies are easier than the first in my opinion, and they go together nicely as a set.  good luck with them!

[sparx1]

Wow I'm so glad I looked at this thread. Those ninths were driving me nuts because I never thought of that. Thank you so much.