Introduction
Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf is one of the most famous pieces of music in the world. Most of you have probably heard the music from it, even if you don’t realize you have.When Prokofiev wrote this peace, he was trying to write a symphonic fairytale for children. He even used it as a way to teach about the different instruments in the orchestra. Not only is it an exciting story, each character is represented by an instrument in the orchestra.
Today, we are focusing only on the “Cat Theme” which is the music that plays when the cat is part of the story.
Video
The Lesson
As you look at the sheet music for this piece, you will notice that it looks really sloppy and hard to follow. We start on the left-hand and then switch to the right hand for one note and then back the left-hand and it keeps going like that for the first six measures. The trick is to think of the melody as one flowing line. Also, make sure you break it into small pieces.
There are some new markings on this piece as well. The little dots on top of the notes are staccato marks, which means the sound of the notes should be separate from each other. There’s also two notes that are sharp in this song. There is an F sharp and the 2nd measure and the 6th measure. They’re both played by the same finger, and you will notice if you forget the sharp. Go back and fix it if it doesn’t sound right.
There are some new markings on this piece as well. The little dots on top of the notes are staccato marks, which means the sound of the notes should be separate from each other. There’s also two notes that are sharp in this song. There is an F sharp and the 2nd measure and the 6th measure. They’re both played by the same finger, and you will notice if you forget the sharp. Go back and fix it if it doesn’t sound right.
Here is a video with a demonstration of what staccato (and legato — they sorta go together) means.
At The Piano
Full Speed
Slower
Sheet Music
Piano
Piano Challenge Version
Ukulele
Guitar
Recorder
On-Screen Piano
Don’t Forget!
You can look up the ukulele chords and guitar chords and get help with reading tablature,
playing the recorder or rhythm (percussion) instruments right here on my website!