ABRSM Piano 2019/20 Grade 6 C3 - MusicOnline UK Teaching Notes

Un Amanecer en Santa Marta.
Federico Ruiz.
Grade 6 Piano ABRSM 2019/2020 C3

Teaching Notes.

A first clue to understanding the character of this piece is the collection from which it comes

 "Pieces for children under the age of 100". 

It should be performed playfully, somewhat "scherzando".

Also there are moments when a little rubato would be appropriate and a distinction deserving performance will include dynamic shaping of the melody beyond what is printed on the sheet music.

You also need to pay close attention to the articulation. Remember the general rule, that the last note of any slurred group needs to be lifted. This becomes increasingly complicated from bar 10, where often a short note in one hand is accompanied by a long note in the other. Take for example, the 2nd beat of bar 10 where the upper RH note is released (being the end of a slurred group), but all lower crotchets are held. Then again, in bar 12 - 2nd beat, both upper RH note AND LH bass note are short in contrast to the two middle crotchets of the RH, which should be held.

In the section from bar 18, voice the hands to emphasize the imitation, letting the  tune alternate between the hands. Here also is a typical example of where dynamic shaping can make your performance stand out, dynamics rising and falling with the line of the melody.

Notice the little accent in bar 28.

For the staccato section of bars 36-42, try to avoid any undue accentuation and be aware of the crescendo in the last line.