How to Teach Reverie by Debussy

Today we're talking about how to teach Reverie by Claude Debussy. It is a well-loved piece that late intermediate/early advanced piano students love playing, and a good introduction to Debussy. It should go without saying that in an eleven-minute video, I was unable to go into a long discussion of how to teach tone color and nuanced voicing, but I hope that these basic thoughts are helpful to you and your students.

Recommended editions:

• Schirmer Performance Edition - Claude Debussy: 16 Piano Favorites (Christopher Harding)

• Alfred Masterworks Edition - Debussy: 12 Selected Piano Works (Joseph Banowetz)

• Anthology of Impressionistic Piano Music (Maurice Hinson)

Also recommended: Jennifer Linn’s Les Petites Impressions for intermediate students preparing to study Debussy.

Skills and Knowledge Required to play this piece well:

• Polyrhythm - three against four

• Left hand arpeggios

• Changing key signatures and interesting harmonies

• Shifting all over the keyboard

• Melody passed between hands

• Voicing of melody over accompaniment

• Debussy’s instructions such as “meno p” (and other very softs)

• Damper pedal and possible use of una corda

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