Cheerful beginner piece?

[svetmira]

Another newbie board! I know, I know.

But, trust me I have read tons of boards in which beginner pieces are discussed (thanks to m1469 for the indexing) as well as analyzed Torp's amazing file looking for information on grades/difficulty. It's just that too many options sometimes complicate things...

Anyway, I've been playing for about two years (with a one hour class a week and as many hours as my full-time job will allow). For my last recital I attempted Chopin's Prelude 4 which I could master technically but not musically. That should give you an idea of my level since in Mexico we don't have exams or ABRSM grades or anything. For my next recital piece I told my teacher I wanted a "cheerful" piece since Chopin had me in constant borderline depression (not that I don't love it). First he said: "cheerful"? Classical music is not cheerful!" Then he said "Maybe a waltz but since they are written for orchestras, arrangements are way too difficult for your level". Finally, he's got me working on Gertrude's Dream Waltz but I don't like it! I gave it a chance but nope.

So, I want to go to the next class with an option (or options) which are at my level and try to convince him to let me switch.

You're probably thinking "just play something you like" but I canīt seem to find a match between a cheerful piece I know and a piece can play.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[svetmira]

Please guys!

I did ask politely and even remembered to say "piece" and not song.

Shouldn't take too long to write a suggestion... and I'll be forever thankful.

[pianoman53]

Haydn wrote tons for cheerful pieces... Uhm, sonata in F major:

I don't really like the one (one of them all) in D major, but many people do:

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...
On the top of my head..

[svetmira]

Thanks a lot Pianoman! I'll look them up.

[gsmile]

Were you looking for "cheerful" as in very energetic, or something more relaxing and soft in a major key?

[peanutbutter]

try:
(these are all by Bach)
Menuet I from the first partita (grade 5 i think)
Musette in D from the notebook for anna magdalena bach
Prelude in F major BWV 927

or Chopin's waltz op. 18 no.1 - the first movement, very cheerful indeed, there is a transcription in c major, which is easier than the original in e flat major

hope you like them, enjoy!

[krajcher]

"Song of the Lark" by Tchaikovsky is very cheerful I think. And not difficult . I am sure you will have fun with practising it.