Description
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1788; arranged by Nicole Elyse DiPaolo in 2019. This piece is also known as "Sonatina" in various anthologies (notably the Suzuki piano books, where it appears at the end of Book 3, already quite condensed from the original piano trio finale).
Specifically arranged for the early-stage piano student who is just beginning to play hands together, and for teachers who don't wish to prolong the "hands alone" stage, this unique adaptation keeps the hands in rhythmic unison and symmetrical contrary motion, optimizing ease of playing when first beginning to engage the "both hands motor area" of the brain. Throughout the piece, the student uses the same finger at the same time in both hands, and the fingers are matched to both-white or both-black keys, respectively. Strongly auditory and kinesthetic learners who don't require visual feedback may successfully learn this piece via rote instruction, too.
Additionally, the transposition to G-flat major allows the student to take advantage of the black keys' inherent posture- and accuracy-enhancing qualities, which are vital in those early lessons when correct technique habits need to be installed. All this using a one-semitone transposition! (I like to think that Mozart wouldn't mind.)
Finally, particularly for the adult student who's keen to dive into the classical repertoire: this is a genuine, well-known piece of chamber music by a certified "Powdered-Wig-Wearing Dead Guy" as we jokingly call them in my studio. Even finicky audience members will enjoy this piece, which will not sound like something a first-year piano student might play: some of the world's most elite piano trios have also recorded this work.