Welcome to LivingPianos.com. I’m Robert Estrin. How many of you have played that famous C major sonata of Mozart, or always wanted to play it? If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place.
We’re going to take a complete deep dive into how to learn and master this ubiquitous Mozart sonata, starting right from the beginning.
A Section-by-Section Approach
We’re going to start at the very beginning and work through the piece section by section. By the end of this video series, you’ll be able to truly master this wonderful sonata.
Have your score ready. There’s a link in the description (or click here) so you can follow along with the music, and I’ll be here to guide you every step of the way. As we go, I’ll explain sonata allegro form so you can understand the structure, but more importantly, learn how to execute it cleanly and get that sparkle you’ve always wanted in this piece.
Exposition
Sonata form begins with the exposition, where the main themes are introduced. The opening theme is in C major, and from there the music moves into the second subject. It’s helpful to slow down here and focus on just this section so everything is completely clear before moving on.
How to Learn a Piece Like This
How do you actually learn something like this? I always recommend reading through the entire movement a couple of times first, just to get acquainted and understand the overall shape of the music. Then get right down to work in very small sections.
- Learn four measures at a time, or even just two.
- Many people think learning two measures at a time will take forever, but it’s exactly the opposite.
- The smaller the sections, the longer and more productive your practice sessions will be.
Two measures at a time is more than enough to make solid progress without feeling overwhelmed.
Learn the Right Hand First
At the very beginning, take just the right hand. Follow all the markings in the score, including the notes, rhythm, phrasing, expression, and fingering.
Note on Editions: If you’re using an Urtext edition, it contains only what Mozart wrote (no fingering). You may want to reference another edition, such as those available from Virtual Sheet Music or IMSLP.
Play the first two measures several times until they are memorized, checking back and forth with the score. Once it feels comfortable, bring it up to an easy tempo.
Then Learn the Left Hand
Next, learn the left hand. Because it’s built on broken chords, start by learning the chords as solid blocks. This helps you understand the underlying harmony and naturally leads to good fingering. Memorize those chords first, then break them up and play them as written.
The “Phantom Pedal” Technique
While Mozart’s piano didn’t have a modern sustain pedal, too much pedal on a modern grand can blur the texture. Instead, you can use what I call a phantom pedal by holding the first note of each chord. This produces a lovely effect and enables you to use the physical pedal to enhance the melody instead of just smoothing out the chords.
Put the Hands Together
The hardest part of piano playing is putting the hands together. Once each hand is securely memorized, slow the tempo way down and try playing from memory. Be fastidious with the details. You will spend ten times longer fixing anything you didn’t pay attention to initially. Don’t be in a rush to get it “95 percent there”—that last 5 percent takes the longest if you don’t get it right from the start.
Refining Technique: Trills and Scales
Trills Without Stress
In the fourth measure, there is a trill. Trills must be measured, but they don’t have to be fancy. A simple trill using steady 16th notes is perfectly effective. Mozart gives you artistic license here; simplicity can be just as beautiful as elaborate ornamentation.
Scale Passages
For the scale passages, practice them just like scales. I’ve got a detailed scale tutorial video that shows how to practice these with proper technique. Focus on:
- Raised, rounded fingers: Keeps your hand position secure.
- Articulation: Focus on both the attack and the release of each note.
- Wrist movement: Use your wrists for staccatos—avoid using your arms, or it will lack definition.
Understanding Sonata Form
This movement consists of three main parts:
- Exposition: First theme in C major; second theme in G major (the dominant).
- Development: The music moves through various keys. Interestingly, Mozart brings the opening theme back in F major (the subdominant) here, which is a bit of a departure from the “rules.”
- Recapitulation: The second theme returns in C major, resolving everything in the home key.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to take the first repeat of the exposition to help the themes become fully absorbed. With careful practice, this sonata becomes deeply rewarding to play. In the next part of this series, we will move on to the second movement—a true gem of lyrical playing.
Thanks for joining me here at LivingPianos.com, Your Online Piano Resource.