Practice Makes Perfect

When you are learning any subject, is it helpful to have small assignments to work on in order to practice your skills? Join host Liz Lyon as we explore pieces of music that are helpful for learning an instrument.

Episode 100 playlist

György Ligeti: Etude No.13 “The Devil’s Staircase” — Etudes are short pieces of music that are written to practice a specific technical skill. Composer György Ligeti wrote a very difficult etude for solo piano that forces the player to get used to playing the entire keyboard. It is called, “The Devil’s Staircase” because it sounds like the piece is climbing up a staircase. Performed by Maria Nemtsova on Piano.

LISTEN — György Ligeti: Etude No.13 “The Devil’s Staircase”

Nicolo Paganini: Caprice 24 in A Minor — Composer Niccolò Paganini was a violin superstar who created a ton of new techniques or ways to play the violin. Some of these techniques were published in a set of 24 pieces. The first 23 each focus on a specific skill but number 24 is a piece that combines all of the skills you have learned through the first 23. Performed by Itzhak Perlman on Violin.

LISTEN — Nicolo Paganini: Caprice 24 in A Minor

Ralph Van Williams: Concerto Grosso — The Rural Music Schools Association asked composer Ralph Vaughn Williams to write a piece of music that could be played by students at all levels. He talked to a lot of teachers to write for three different levels: Beginner, Intermediate and advanced. These three sections all play together at the same time. Performed by Bournemouth Sinfonietta.

LISTEN — Ralph Van Williams: Concerto Grosso

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