Claude Debussy - 1st Arabesque for Piano

[oOChanquanOo]

Ok elle fait des erreurs, c'es rien. Mais voyez comme elle continue tout de même comme si de rien n'était, et sans tirer une tête.. et ca c'est bien. (Contrairement à un jeune qui aurait crié "putain" ou qui se serait arrété..)

En faite l'essentiel n'est pas vraiment de ne pas faire de fautes, mais de toujours faire comme si nous savions le morceau malgré tout. Même si je reconnais qu'elle a fait plein de fautes, je dirais quand même bravo à cette dame pour son courage.

[rosettegabbana]

hmmm you need more practice girl!...you got it but you need play with feels and emotion!...

[MissDeniseHewitt]

I agree with you! This was one of my early recordings, and now I have far higher standards and my playing has improved a lot with intensive practice:) Best Wishes - Denise

[camille2522]

Denise I wish I could play like you!!

[homerboy488]

Sir, was this a joke? Please say yes. Why are you in drag?

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks for viewing! My performance is intended to be serious, and I've been transgendered for practically my whole life which is also no joke! Denise

[alphabuddy]

Very nice performance!

[wombatandlemur]

Not actually that bad. 4stars

[cheekyface910]

ouch...don't post videos if you can't play the piece

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks so much for viewing! I'm really sorry that you did not enjoy my performance:( But I'll practice even harder next time! Best Wishes - Denise

[Agent7x7]

I think you're right. If you still need the music to "play" a song, then you're not playing it... you're practicing it.

Once you learn a song and no longer need the music, THEN you can play it... and perform it for a video.

See Lypur's performance of this piece to see what I'm talking about.

Keep it up. You can nail it with enough practice.

[BlackCloud21509]

It's not a song, it's a piece.

[bjjcyou05]

That flower introduction is too long and unneccsaary.

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks so much for viewing, and for your feedback - I'll try keep the opening titles shorter in future music videos:) Best Wishes - Denise Hewitt

[cocoacrazy87]

I noticed that quite a few of the mistakes you made seemed to be becuase of your fingernails... They are quite long for a pianess like yourself! I don't know how you manage to play as well as you do with them that long!

I'm currently playing this song, and I really do notice when my fingernails get to long because of the quality of my playing, especially during the "a" section with the right hand with all its tricky fingering. But very well done, hopefully I can post my own version shortly.

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Yes! You're absolutely right that my finger nails are far too long:) Looking forward to viewing your version soon! Best Wishes - Denise

[kelductions]

its really a lot nicer if u memorize it but its good i suggest improving the feel of the music and the sound because it sounds like its only one volume the whole time all in all its good im going to start playing this piece very soon i may post it on youtube but i will be performing it at BPAC a concert hall in New Jersey

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Good Luck with your performace at the BPAC in New Jersey! Wow! - And I really look forward to watching your performance on YouTube:) Best Wishes - Denise

[kelductions]

thank you best wishes to u too

[lepianiste36]

It is pitiful!!! All the errors which you made at the beginning

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks for viewing, and I'm really looking forward to your video version soon:) Denise

[lepianiste36]

Excuse I, I am not English and I use a translator. The translator badly translated. I did not want to say to you it. lepianiste36

[devilsrain729]

I liked this, and this only got 2 stars huh, just remember she can lose the weight but you cant lose the ugly... good luck people, youll need it

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks so much for your kind support & comments! I now do daily exercise to lose some weight on my home exercise bike, and practicing some new tunes for YouTube:) Best Wishes - Denise

[domxib6]

i think it was nice.... for an electric piano, of course. congratulations and keep on playin dear....

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks so much for viewing, and for your active support! Best Wishes - Denise

[zss123456789]

you're fat

[MissDeniseHewitt]

I agree - My New Year's resolution is to diet, and also daily exercise, and to lose at least 10 kgs:) LOL - Anyway - Happy New Year & Best Wishes - Denise

[domxib6]

and you are stupid, so rude and without manners...shame on you...

[thesilverd0e]

sorry, i got cut off. my point is, debussy is an impressionist composer and his works are very expressive and open to interpretation. this shouldn't be strictly played like a sonatina (well you can be expressive in those too but you know what i mean)

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks so much for viewing, and for your comments and suggestions! I'll try and play Debussy with more emotion and expression in the future:) Best Wishes - Denise

[thesilverd0e]

good job learning it on your own, it's a very difficult piece. i've played piano for 16 years and I know. however, after you've mastered the notes, try to work on expression more. add more dynamics and phrasing and definitely play it slower overall.

[jazzmaster1]

Yikes. I hope you don't give lessons.

[maatija]

lol

[hunan96]

i know it's you... oh and i think by the time you get this, you will be gone... :(

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks so much for viewing! Enjoy your day:) Best Wishes - Denise

[I2ubeU2ubeWeall2ube]

you played some parts wrong

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Sorry for the mistakes, but thanks so much for viewing and commenting:) Denise

[benzyl4]

what key is this in?

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks for Viewing! Debussy's 1st Arabesque is in the key of E Major (4 Sharps). Best Wishes - Denise

[weirdpills]

i don't think this is classical music, i think it's more like.... jazz

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Well I enjoy playing Jazz & Blues too! Check-out my Silke Blues and Iceland Blues Videos:) Best Wishes - Denise

[Twelveinchpvpness]

It's not jazz, it's also not classical. The "classical" period refers to the years 1730-1820, though is often used also to categorize music from the baroque and romantic periods or earlier. This was written closer to the end of the romantic period (about 1815-1910), definitely before jazz became much more popular.

[Twelveinchpvpness]

Ragtime began in about the late 19th century, but this piece still predates it. He did, however, break from the style of playing that was popular during the romantic period, which may be why you are confused by the piece.

[rManLOTHAR]

I thought that was just smashing ! !

Wow ! ! Very, very nice.

Your long hours & practice really shows !

Thanks for sharing !

[MissDeniseHewitt]

I'm thrilled that you enjoyed my video so much:) Your comments will motivate me to practice even harder now for my next recordings! Stay tuned;) Best Wishes - Denise

[PianoCriticsKiller]

I think the criticism here is valid, and it's very constructive and you seem to be taking it quite well.

Keep practicing!

:)

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks so much for viewing! I see that, like myself, you have a great affection for Debussy's Piano Music:) Best Wishes - Denise

[ConcertPianist]

Try and make the thirds a little more even... follow the prescribed fingering....

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Many thanks for viewing, and thanks so much for your advice:) - Best Wishes - Denise

[hpfan9]

a lot of wrong notes. some flats or sharps, i think.

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks for Viewing! And I'm sorry about the wrong notes :( I'll keep practicing more slowly, and hopefully it will improve:) Best Wishes - Denise

[porto1432]

Hi MissDenise. I am a piano student myself and I think your playing is good, but I think your graceful responses to the criticism are awesome! May I know what your piano education background is? Are you having formal training? Your sight reading seems very good, any tips in that area? Thanks for posting.

[MissDeniseHewitt]

I had piano & music theory lessons for 7 years - from 8 years to 15 years old. Since then I've been completely self taught, and I've trained myself for sight reading since I get so little time for formal practice due to work and travel committments. With sight reading I spend time first practicing the hard sections before putting the whole composition together:) Best Wishes - Denise

[theblondeparade]

you are certainly very good, but milesforwin is right, slow it up, it's such a beautiful piece, you can really pull and play around with the tempo and dynamics because that is what Debussy was all about. Please, purchase a proper piano, I think you are playing on a keyboard and in order to get the real feeling you need a piano! [ the triplets really do need slowing up ]

but otherwise, well done, this is not an easy piece.

[milesforwin]

Eek. Needs some work. Quite a bit. Slow it wayyyy down, learn all the correct notes and rhythms, then speed it up slowly. A better piano would probably help a bit too.

[Brettik014]

HRUZA!!! FUJ FUJ!!! :(

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Well I'm sorry you didn't enjoy my video :( But thanks for viewing! - Best Wishes - Denise

[GuitarPerson1989]

Beautiful. Very nice playing Denise - Keep up the good work :)

[fernandowisky]

I really enjoyed it...

isn´t a easy song...

thank you for sharing...

[QG3]

Arabesque is the French word for ornament. It doesn't really have anything to do with 'Arabia' as such, and, in music, doesn't have any connotations with eastern modes.

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks for viewing, and for this clarification! Now I can understand why there is nothing oriental about this wonderful romantic composition:) Best Wishes - Denise

[LePhrygien]

Lol, ornament in french is " ornement " ... you are completly wrong lol ! But what you say after is right ;)

[mimivic12]

argh ur pioano is out of tune!

[YGYGYGYGYGYGYGYGYGYG]

I think you play too many pieces without playing just a few well. You play so many that you don't have time to practice them all long enough to master them. You have great potential. Just please try to spend more time on each piece.

Constructive criticism.

(^o^)

(> <)

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Many thanks for your constructive comment! I really enjoy wide diversity in music from Bach to Modern Jazz, so I like to play many compositions in my limited time for serious practice:) Denise

[aallsskk11002299]

I'm sorry to say that you need to practice this piece a lot more because it is very sloppy. You also dont use dynamics and the phrasing of your piece is completely wrong

[SonicBlunt]

ur a pretty good piano player, no doubt...... but thats surely not arabesque! im from greece and i know what oriental music sounds like because greek music is a kind of arabesque...

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks so much for viewing and commenting! I'm not sure whether Debussy's Arabesques are totally faithful to the Oriental Originals? - Best Wishes - Denise

[asturnena]

Edward Culleeeen *.*

el amaba Claire de Lune

[Ahotbabi234]

edward cullen iss sooo sexyy

[Ahotbabi234]

edward cullen loves thisssss

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks for viewing, and I'm delighted that you found my performance entertaining :) Best Wishes - Denise

[XxMSr0xHaRdxX]

too sloppy, i would try practicing slow. Try maybe using a regular piano? I agree with sakurakinomoto742 - you have to be accurate w/ the notes and the dynamics. I would really work hard on this piece before posting it, though. Nice work though, for someone who is self-taught! =)

[sakurakinomoto742]

I'd probably rehearse more before posting on here.

Be careful about being accurate with the notes, as well as dynamics. This is a delicate piece that is really hard to play on a electronic piano.

Good try, though.

[ihrtmusic12334]

Too Sloppy. Terrible Rhythm. Are you self taught? But good try!

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Yes! I've been self-taught now for around 40 years! Now I'm focusing on learning some new Bach Organ Fugues and also Bach's wonderful Chorale Preludes :-) Denise

[CaptainTaylor]

very pretty, good job

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks so much for viewing and commenting so positively:) Denise

[austinsaiiz]

ur a dude rnt u

[MissDeniseHewitt]

I'm transgendered - Please read my YouTube profile! This is quite different from "dressing in drag" or being a dude:) Denise

[MissDeniseHewitt]

I'm transgendered as stated in my YouTube profile:)

[ArchieWW]

Very nicely played - a pleasure to listen to. You are braver than I to attempt such a piece and I think you did really well. I think it would sound even better on a nice piano rather than on the electric keyboard. I look forward to listening to you perform in the Albert Hall!

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks so much for viewing, and for your kind comments! Yes! I'd just love to play in the Albert Hall sometime:) Best Wishes - Denise

[silentxXxregrets]

Ah..I just finished this for juries a couple of weeks ago. Now I have to polish it for my solo *tear tear*

Um...this is a sort of weird question but...why didn't you just go to a piano and record it there? There are plenty of music school and even normal schools with decent pianos. I don't know if I really like the idea of an impressionistic piece like this on a keyboard.

[pianochick1]

Are those long fingernails I see? If so, how do you play with those nails? I have to cut mine almost to the skin! This is one of my pieces that I'm learning right now,a work in progress. Your playing this piece has lots of potential. It sounds really nice, just need to keep practicing. Once all the trouble spots are worked out, it will sound very nice.

[bananamusician]

You need some serious training. Soooo many wrong notes and the tempo is very unstable. You should always practice slowly and make sure you get the right notes.

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Now I'm starting "slow practice" again - Thanks for viewing:) Best Wishes - Denise

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Now I'm practicing more slowly again:) Denise

[ragnarkisten]

so do tell me, you're not by any chance related to that brilliant pianist, Angela Hewitt?

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Sorry - But we're not related! I just wish I was:)

[DrummerInExile]

too fast at the start, didnt have the "feel" that is should, nice. if you know any body who plays vibes (vibraphone), ask them to play this on it, sounds absolutely glorious, but it is pretty hard (lots of damping!), nice.

[squirrel221]

hmmm you are off to a good start. i think you are going too fast though. it should be a little more subtle than speedy. keep practicing and you'll master this wonderful peice.

[Chaffinch4]

Is that a digital piano? If it is I'm impressed with its sound!  Oh, enjoyed your piece - thanks.

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Yes! - It is a Technics Electronic Piano, and I'm delighted that you enjoyed my version of Debussy:)

[LMorgan1234]

Just a quick question--On an Electronic Piano, is there a way to control the volume--like on a piano you can strike the key harder. Is that true of your electronic piano? Just curious. Thanks!

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Yes - to some extent the same is true on an Electronic Piano. However, I think that "real" pianos have far more touch sensitivity in my experience for composers such as Debussy:)

[pianistafj]

I wouldn't worry about overly-specific criticism. First off, you're making a huge mistake thinking a keyboard is at all suitable for Debussy. Do you even have a pedal for that thing? And why is a digital keyboard out of tune?!? Anyway, please take the time to learn all the notes diligently as well as exressive markings. Make another video when its in better working order. Then, other's comments will be much more helpful.

[lohengrin96]

Keep it up - I think you would benefit by practising at half - tempo (it works for me). Once you can get around the notes then bring it up to speed and add in more dynamics. Best of luck.

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Thanks for viewing and commenting :) I also enjoy the music of Wagner and saw Lohengrin at Covent Garden :)

[pianist478]

The beauty of this piece is that you can put in alot of "emotional touches" on the piano. The whole piece needs to be phrased like a story, beggining, middle, and end. From the performance, it seems that you haven't grasped supple hand, wrist, finger control yet, therefore dynamics are poorly conveyed. You are also using too much pedals to substitute fluid wrist movement causing a massive blur in areas.

[Sticco988]

Omfg, you suck

[TheTradge]

Some of this feels really rushed, and you need try and work on the notes because there's a lot of slip ups. A good idea is to try and find some recordings of this piece, and have a listen to some more expressive and accurate performances of this. But there's definately a lot of problems in this, far too many wrong notes.

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Many thanks! - I'll keep working on this beautiful composition by Debussy - It's so romantic! - Denise :)

[TheTradge]

Not a problem, happy to offer my guidance =]

[Chopinesque]

look over notes...try running through in one consistent tempo before making changes. Keep up the good work!

[bloblob]

I play this piece also! You need to add more emotion and more contrasting dynamics. Your tempo also changes too drastically in some places