Rote Learning to play Mondschein

[John Sparken]

I just signed up for Summer Session Piano lessons for the singular purpose of learning to play Beethovens Sonata No. 14 "Mondschein" which has been a life goal.

For a new student who can't play a single musical instrument, how realistic is my goal? I'm considering just finding a teacher to teach me this one Sonata and not taking the lessons.

How difficult is this Sonata to learn for an absolute beginner? Any ideas how long it would take to play well using pure rote learning?

Thank You.

[davefriends04]

The whole Moonlight Sonata or for example just the 1st movement?

And by the way, where did you find Summer Session Piano lessons?? I'd love to do that too, additionally to regular piano lessons.

[thierry13]

With a summer piano lesson, I think it's impossible you can't play it, you will at least play it enough well for you, since you're a beginner. If you're talking about the well know 1st movement If you really think being able to play the third in a summer, and that you've never touched a piano before, FORGET IT!! lol But the first movement is quite easy.

[beethovenfan]

There is no easy Beethoven!

Mondschein 1st. Mvm. is one of the easier pieces from Beethoven, but it is very hard to play it good. Left hand, right hand, melody, dynamics etc.  In my opinion to hard for a complete beginner.

I played the 1st movement after playing 5 years.

[thierry13]

It is hard to play professionally, for a beginner who just wants to play this for fun, he will have a great satisfaction just with notes and basic phrasings and dynamics.