Granados - Spanish dance n°5 "Andaluza"

[sorgel]

Greetings everyone,

I am new here so I will briefly introduce myself. I am a french young man, I have played the piano from 6 to 17.  I started playing again last year so that was a five years long break. I appreciate this forum and all the precious insights people share here so, here I am.

After I learned Granados' "Oriental" I decided to learn his fifth spanish dance which is a 3 way piece and I am a bit confused with that. How would you recommend to learn it ? all 3 ways separately ? Or never separate both right hand's ways ? Since the piece's most difficult aspect is to fit these 3 voices together, I started learning hands together but first without the middle way, what do you think of that ?

Thank you

[oxy60]

Try to learn all of it together with all the notes of the different voices in their correct rhythmic positions, including any grace notes or trills even if your speed is like a snail. You will need to put them together eventually and you won't like adding that last voice when your other two are at speed.

[sorgel]

Ok, thank you I will continue that way. Any other insight ?

[oxy60]

I don't have a copy of the piece you're working on, but I took a quick glance at the two that are here on this site. Unless Granados changed completely when he wrote your piece, I think we can make some generalizations.

The musical/cultural background of Granados is very complex. Andalusia had all sorts of people living there over the centuries and each left their musical mark. Jews, Christians and Arabs lived together peacefully. I think that it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with all those traditions in music and dance. 

To get a handle on those 3 against 4 or 2 against 3 rhythms and those numerous accidentals take a look at some Flamenco dancing on "you-tube" or better yet visit a Spanish dance school rehearsal.  Notice the clapping.