Looking at Ravel - Jeux d'eau as my next piece to play - am I out of my mind?

[grandstaff]

Hello everyone!

I am absolutely in love with this piece, and would LOVE to play it. But my question is - is really difficult technically? I am currently working on Mozart's Fantasia and Sonata in C Minor, Gershwin's Prelude in C Sharp Minor, and Bach's WTC Book 1 Prelude and Fugue in C Minor. Pieces that I've finished learning and am currently practicing are Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G Minor and Chopin's Mazurka in A Minor.

My question is - How hard is the Ravel compared to all of these? I know it's not as unbelievably difficult as some other Ravel pieces, but should I wait a while? I Sightread through some of it and it looked pretty hard.

[lostinidlewonder]

Ravel is a whole new language, in particular I have found how he shares the hands on the keyboard is uniquely himself. I find Ravel's use of harmony with arpeggios/chords is what stumps most people, so focusing on improving your ability to read and play this technical tool might be a good starting spot. Jeax D'eau requires lightness of touch and clearness so that we sense the water. It might be helpful for you to study other water pieces from Debussy. There is no reason for you to abandon studying pieces which seem too difficult altogether, but don't make it a focal point.

[symphonicdance]

I'm neither a teacher nor a professional, but just wanna to share my silly opinions.

As you like this piece a lot, you should tackle this piece.  It's only about of time: whether now (very slowly and progressively) or later (after sharpening your skills further).  Compared to the pieces you mentioned, and if you haven't played Ravel or Debussy much, then there's a relatively steep learning curve.

You can tackle the easier pieces of Ravel (or Debussy, or Faure?!), before you go ahead with Jeau d'eau.  BTW, Debussy's Images I & II aren't easy either.

If you are good at scales, arppegios, etc., and if you really want a waste of "water", then you may wish to try Liszt's Les Jeux d’eau à la Villa d’Este first.  Again, not an easy piece either.  It's just because I suspect you have more exposures on classical & romantic periods.

Good luck!

[werq34ac]

I'm neither a teacher nor a professional, but just wanna to share my silly opinions.

As you like this piece a lot, you should tackle this piece.  It's only about of time: whether now (very slowly and progressively) or later (after sharpening your skills further).  Compared to the pieces you mentioned, and if you haven't played Ravel or Debussy much, then there's a relatively steep learning curve.

You can tackle the easier pieces of Ravel (or Debussy, or Faure?!), before you go ahead with Jeau d'eau.  BTW, Debussy's Images I & II aren't easy either.

If you are good at scales, arppegios, etc., and if you really want a waste of "water", then you may wish to try Liszt's Les Jeux d’eau à la Villa d’Este first.  Again, not an easy piece either.  It's just because I suspect you have more exposures on classical & romantic periods.

Good luck!

I'd say Liszt's Jeux D'eau is more difficult than Ravel's... touch on the Liszt is absolutely ridiculous. You really need phenomenal touch with the Liszt. Though Ravel does require quite a bit of touch as well.



As for grandstaff, I wouldn't say you are out of your mind, but perhaps slightly overambitious. I would wait a year before tackling Jeux D'eau based on your repertoire. Perhaps the easier Sonatine 1st and 2nd movements? 3rd movement is comparable in difficulty to Jeux D'eau.