I’ll teach you the standard and simplified versions of Chopin’s Waltz in A minor, deconstructed, so you can perform it in a month. Learn the meaning of the music instead of just copying the motions!
Hi! I’m Allysia van Betuw. I am the the creator and host of PianoTV. My videos have been viewed over 7 million times.
For over 15 years, I’ve been teaching piano to people of all ages and levels, from three-year-old beginners to retired adults.
People really like Chopin. I’ve been asked by virtually all of my students over the years to help them learn a piece by Chopin, and as such, I’ve taught some of his pieces countless times. This Waltz in A Minor is no exception. I’ve had so many students want to learn this intermediate-level piece, but I also see these students experience plenty of pitfalls.
There are four lessons in total (1 per week), each with several study videos to help you learn and play this piece. Each week, I'll give you a specific and concrete assignment to make sure you're progressing.
I teach two versions of Chopin's Waltz in this course - a simplified version that I created (suitable for students at level 1 or 2), and the original version (suitable for students around level 6). This way, more people can participate and learn the nuts and bolts of this excellent waltz.
I teach this waltz over the course of one month, in four lessons, the way I would in a regular piano studio. Think of this as having a piano teacher at your side, coaching you through the process of learning and practicing this piece.
Deconstructing the Waltz
1.1 - The Story of Chopin's Waltz
1.2 What is a Waltz?
1.3 Exercise: Listen to Chopin's Waltz
1.4 Introduction to the Waltz on the Keyboard
1.5 Exercise: Chords of the Waltz
1.6 Exercise: Learning the Melody
1.7 Lesson 1 Assignment
Rubato and Putting it All Together
3.1 Rubato
3.2 Exercise: Playing Rubato
3.3 Exercise: Learning the C Section
3.4 Lesson 3 Assignment
Mapping the Piece, Trills and Arpeggios
2.1 Song Form
2.2 Exercise: Trills
2.3 Exercise: B Section Arpeggio
2.4 Working Through the B Section
2.5 Lesson 2 Assignment
Performance
4.1 How to Bring a Piece to Performance Level
4.2 Getting the Waltz Up to Speed
4.3 Lesson 4 Assignment