Course Syllabus
Polish Folk Instruments and Dance Types
Before even playing the first notes of a mazurka, Jarred shares the instruments that Chopin would have heard in his childhood as a "farm boy" and the dances he would have taken part in. Jarred shows us how these early experiences would culminate in the most deeply personal of Chopin's compositions: his mazurkas.
Characteristic Rhythm and Harmony
Chopin has a very specific rhythmic and harmonic language in his music, especially characterized in his mazurkas. In this lesson, Jarred Dunn demonstrates the wide array of possibilities, and how to play a mazurka with the right "feeling".
As Chopin's most personal music, the mazurkas inhabit a space of deep emotion. Jarred Dunn explains the unique style and expression of these dances.
Early, Middle, Late Periods of Composition
Like many composers, Chopin had multiple periods of composition especially reflected in his mazurkas. Jarred Dunn teaches the 3 periods and their notable characteristics found in the Early, Middle and Late Styles.
Jarred Dunn teaches a lesson on Chopin's Mazurka op.6 no.1, the 1st mazurka to be published and indicative of Chopin's early style using Polish folk rhythms and modes.
Jarred Dunn teaches one of Chopin's most popular mazurkas in this lesson, and how to master the large amount of dynamic variation and rubato found within.
One of Chopin's final compositions, Jarred Dunn teaches this mazurka, illuminating the depth of Chopin's late style and mature musical voice.
In this Mazurka, which Jarred Dunn specifies is great for "small hands" we learn how to pedal and re-distribute the notes among the hands for ease and comfort. In addition, Jarred illuminates the "folk elements", how to play accents, and ornamentation considerations.
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