Bruyeres advice

[doggavin]

I'm entering a national piano competition next March and they've just released the list of pieces to perform. Now one of the pieces is Bruyeres by Debussy and BEFORE I start and inevitably pick up a lot of bad habits, does anyone have any advice for perfecting this piece? Thanks in advance

[gerryjay]

Dear Doggavin,
the only piece of advice I can offer is: find the best teacher you can afford and ask him/her the same question.
Best regards,
Jay.

[doggavin]

I'm moving away for medical school in a couple of months and all the piano teachers are finished up for the summer. I'm itching to make a start on it before September so hence why I'm asking here

[gerryjay]

I will take the risk of being nasty: I think you already did answer your question. If you guess that you'll get a series of bad habits without supervision, this is a likely scenario. So, use the summer to take a break.

If you are really itching to put your hands on Bruyéres, why not working on its background? Listen to as many recordings as you can, analyse the score (at least to understand its parts, what is simple/complex to you, and so on), read about Debussy piano playing and composing. Without any doubts, your process of learning will be enhanced and probably accelerated when you return to your teacher.

Best regards,
Jay.

[asiantraveller101]

I agree with jay. You are entering a piano competition, and yet you are asking questions regarding your piece? It just does not seem to add up. I am NOT trying to be mean nor being sarcastic. I did notice your post a few days ago, but did not reply. I am quite sure now why others have not reply as well. One very important aspect of being a pianist is to be able to discover and explore new pieces, and interpret them according to your conviction and understanding. However, I do realize that you may be "young" pianistically and are probably short of time with your medical school studies and etc.
So, my advice with Bruyeres, which I have played and taught as well. Start learning the notes carefully. Analyse the rhythms, and be strict in the different rhythm patterns. This piece, like all of Debussy's music, has intricate rhythms. (This is actually one of the easier preludes) Be very strict in observing them, especially when you are entering a competition. After learning the notes thoroughly, play the piece with a very slow metronome pace, (ignoring the ritards and rubatos for now) to give you a real sense of how the rhythm patterns work together. Start memorizing as well when you are learning the notes, do not wait till last minute. Observe the dynamics and start to shape your music: phrases, slurs, articulation. That should get you ready for your teacher.
You can even device an exercise from the octave arpeggio runs found in the music, which you can practice alone, away from the piece itself.
With your teacher's guidance, work out the pedaling CAREFULLY! Debussy's pedaling is intricate. Sometimes you have to listen extremely carefully that you do not make any "hiccups" while creating your atmospheric sounds. For example, in the beginning, do you change pedal with every LH chord? or every other one? what about m. 2? Every 2 chords, or every 4 chords? what about m. 16 and 17? Every chord?? I think the judges will definitely be looking out for this type of artistic pedaling. Think also of the sound effects you want to create. Now is the time to start interpreting the different sections to this piece. Why and what is Bruyeres. What does each section say? What is Debussy trying to create or convey? What do you think?
Finally, you need to "digest" the piece fully, infuse it with your ideas and interpretation, and "own" the piece. The judges would want a convincing, flawless and yet personal performance from you.
Phew!! I hope that helps a bit, to put your mind at ease.
Good luck!
 
PS. Stop itching and get those hands on the piano!

[doggavin]

Ok I probably should have phrased my question a small bit better I'm using this competition as a reason and motivation to keep up my piano even with med school, otherwise I'm scared I'll just go into a rut of not playing at all I totally understand about developing my own unique interpretation and everything, what I basically meant was about any technical aspects, difficult passages etc. Thanks for your advice asiantraveller.

[lostinidlewonder]

I feel a close connection to La fille aux cheveux de lin Book I with many chords progressions and rhythms very similar. When I play this piece I tend to play it a little slower than most people, I just love the calmness in this piece and warmth of the supporting chords against a somewhat calm but temperature cold feeling melody. A fog is a good description and walking through the landscape. How to be agitated in parts but maintain serenity and calmness I think is key to expressing this piece with mastery and among the more difficult parts of this piece. I find when playing Debussy you need to have a strong mental image as to what the piece is about, this helps your musical interpretation a great deal and for me at least really connected Debussy to the Impressionist painters of his day, Debussy however painted with his music.