Introduction
The legend of William Tell is the story of a heroic man who fights back against a bully. A legend is a story about someone who the storyteller thinks lived in a story about their life that teaches a lesson. It usually involves them being a hero in some way. Legends are folktales, so they do have different versions and change here and there, but the lesson usually doesn’t, and that’s the point.
A composer named Gioachino Rossini wrote an opera based on the legend of William Tell. The piece we are playing today is the end part of the overture. The overture is the music that plays before the story begins kind of like in a movie when you see the actors names at the beginning before the story really begins. The overture is the music that plays during that part. Operas have an overture and this is one of them.
The legend of William Tell is a good story and you can watch a short video of it below.
Video
The Story
The Lesson
At The Piano
Full Speed
Slower
Sheet Music
Make sure you watch the video above for a discussion of the sheet music and explanations. Remember to notice when you have to switch and play with a different hand.
Don’t forget to practice it over and over again until you are able to play it allegro! That means fast and spirited.
Let’s see some exciting performances!
Take it slow and remember to break it up into phrases.
Piano
Piano Challenge Version
Ukulele
Guitar
Recorder
Xylophone or 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!