Easier Debussy pieces

[dagny_taggart]

What are the best Debussy pieces to begin with if I have never performed much of him EXCEPT for, of course, Claire de Lune? My teacher said I need to add some impressionist pieces to my repertoire, perhaps some Debussy. I was interested in the cathedral piece but some of the chords look as if they require a MASSIVE stretch.

[chicoscalco]

You really have to consider each piece individually if you want a impressionist repertoire. Not all of Debussy is impressionist. His claire de lune for example, isn't. Well then, the cathedral is quite nice! It's by no means easy, but the chords are no problem for someone with an average span. But I would recommend his first prelude, "danseuses delphes". It is shorter, and a bit easier I believe.

[dagny_taggart]

. But I would recommend his first prelude, "danseuses delphes". It is shorter, and a bit easier I believe.

I wish I liked it, but I don't. I couldn't dedicate myself to it! It sounds almost atonal. Ha.

All of the preludes from Debussy Book 1 look rough, though. Maybe it seems that way because I am not accustomed to looking at impressionist scores.

[chicoscalco]

I wish I liked it, but I don't. I couldn't dedicate myself to it! It sounds almost atonal. Ha.

All of the preludes from Debussy Book 1 look rough, though. Maybe it seems that way because I am not accustomed to looking at impressionist scores.

Book 2 is generally rougher hahahaha
But the first is, too. You can always go for La Fille Aux Cheveux de lin, although ( I might be wrong) I don't consider that very impressionistic.

[dagny_taggart]

Great idea. I might do The Girl With The Flaxen Hair (to be more traditional) and I was also considering Minstrels. I think that one is interesting.

[chicoscalco]

Great idea. I might do The Girl With The Flaxen Hair (to be more traditional) and I was also considering Minstrels. I think that one is interesting.

Minstrels is pretty difficult. I don't know your level so I don't really know what to suggest, but Canope, Bruyères ( Book 2) are slightly easier I think. But again, I don't know what you should play. If you think you can handle Minstrels, then go for it! I also like it very much 

[ianw]

The Piano Syllabus site https://pianosyllabus.net16.net  lists 2 Debussy pieces at grade 5, three at grade 6 and seven at grade 7 (and dozens more at grade 8 and beyond). Of the grade 7 pieces, one is Claire De Lune and the other six aren't (with apologies to Victor Borge).

[lisztmusicfan]

Estampes is the way to go haha or his arabesques. His requiem is also very beautiful, but I don't know how impressionistic you need the piece to be.

[dagny_taggart]

The Piano Syllabus site https://pianosyllabus.net16.net  lists 2 Debussy pieces at grade 5, three at grade 6 and seven at grade 7 (and dozens more at grade 8 and beyond). Of the grade 7 pieces, one is Claire De Lune and the other six aren't (with apologies to Victor Borge).

Wow. That is an extremely valuable site! Thank you so much!

[88melter]

 https://www.jwpepper.com/10342718.item#.UqJOkdJDtHk   This is my edition of the Images, Bk. One. It is not easy, but it is MUCH easier to read, decipher, and play than the original Durand edition. My company, www.gatewayeditions.com  specializes in full-length, original key editions which have been edited and/or arranged for the average hand and technique. They are called GateWay Editions because they provide a pathway into some forbidding musical territory, through the use of simpler notational styles, better spellings, some redistribution of notes in chords, etc.
  a CD-ROM, withthe ENTIRE 500 piece catalog on it ready to print out, is available from Amazon for only 30 USD. Here is a link to that Amazon page.
https://www.amazon.com/GateWay-Editions-Complete-Piano-CD-ROM/dp/B006BDV31U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1386368936&sr=8-2&keywords=Gateway+editions+CD-ROM

88melter

[canada100]

I would not call any piece "easy" by any standards. Remember, all pieces are challenging in their own way.

I suggest Debussy's Children's Corner Suite-this is a good beginning choice for Debussy and Impressionistic music.

[joplinfreak]

Suite Bergamasque Prelude is a very nice impressionistic piece. It's the same suite that Clair De Lune comes from. To say it's easy, well I really couldn't say that's up to you. The chords them selves aren't to bad those are easy, but the arpeggios are ridiculously fast. Here have a listen

 

[coda_colossale]

Some of his preludes are quite easy technically speaking.
Book I No. I, Danseuses des Delphes
Book II No. XIX, Le Terrace des Audiences au Clair de Lune
etc.
Or his Reverie...