music discussion

• 1. What is the title and composer?

  Waltz Mistique by Ray Moore
• 2. Identify the style and period

  This piece is from the romantic period and is written in a waltz style
• Structure of the waltz

  1. Part A in E minor repeated

  2. Part B in D major, modulating back to E minor for the return of part A

  3. ABA is ternary form
• Waltz


  • Bright and airy
  • Fast moving lyrical right hand melody in a free style
  • Melody has scalic runs and broken chords
  • Accompaniment has an 'um cha cha' rhythm
• Ray Moore has introduced

  Some modern tones and chords with some nice chordal projections
• Melody


  Sounds at times as if he is extemporising or improvising on a basic theme
• Dynamics


  Used to add colour to the piece
• Dynamics in the waltz

  1. Part A is played piano

  2. Start of part B is played mezzo-forte

  3. Middle of part B has a crescendo leading into the section which finishes part B in a diminuendo

  4. Final bars of part A after it returns is played very soft after a diminuendo
• Part B


  1. Uses a pedal in the right hand to modulate back to using the dominant chord B

  2. Marked rit.
• Ending of the waltz

  Climactic flourish and a perfect cadence in the high register marked pp
• 4. What difficulties did you encounter?

  I found it difficult to maintain the bright tempo of 136 beats to the minute on the metronome, and keep the notes in the left hand steady while projecting the lyrical right hand. I also found it hard to constantly emphasise the first beat of each bar in the left hand. As well as that, I found it difficult to grade the dynamics while keeping an even rhythm throughout the piece. It was also difficult dealing with the nerves of performance.
• How to overcome difficulties

  1. Slow down the piece to half its original speed and play with a metronome

  2. Gradually increase the speed to practice with until it's back at original speed

  3. Practice scales with different types of articulation like staccato to emphasise the first beat of each bar

  4. Record and submit a video of yourself playing the piece to your teacher to read feedback

  5. Play the piece in front of your class to see which areas you make mistakes on when playing with more nerves and pressure