Debussy Challenge – Week 1 Goal “Pick Your Piece!”
“Pick Your Piece!”
This week is all about choosing your Debussy repertoire. Whether you're just starting your journey into Debussy’s world or you've played some of his works before, the goal is to pick a piece that inspires you—and challenges you just enough.
We’ve curated a list to help you decide:
🎹 Beginner-Friendly Selections (Level 1–3):
Perfect for players exploring Debussy for the first time. Focus on color, shape, and mood.
“The Little Shepherd” – from Children’s Corner
“The Snow is Dancing” – from Children’s Corner
“La fille aux cheveux de lin” (The Girl with the Flaxen Hair) – from Préludes, Book 1
🎼 Intermediate Selections (Level 4–6):
For players ready to dive deeper into voicing, pedaling, and expression.
“Clair de Lune” – from Suite Bergamasque
“Reverie” – Dreamy, flowing, and deeply expressive
“Arabesque No. 1” – A tone-painting in flowing motion
Your Week 1 task:
Pick your piece
Comment below what you’ve chosen (and why, if you'd like!)
If you’re unsure, ask for recommendations—we’re here to help
We’ll begin practicing next week—this one is just about inspiration and intention.
Let the dreamlike journey begin!
85 replies
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I've chosen the Cakewalk.
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La fille aux cheveux de lin
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I have chosen ,Danse Bohémienne‘
🙋♀️
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Hello! I would like to try a few works, but I will start with the Danse (Tarantelle Styrienne).
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I had been planning to learn the Second Book of “Images” this upcoming academic year, so this will be the perfect opportunity to make a start on it by learning the first of those three pieces, “Cloches à travers les feuilles”.
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I’m choosing Reverie and excited for the deep dive!
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I’m going to work on "Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum”. I love Arabesque No. 1 but I’ve played it on harp for years so want to try something new!
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I’m starting “La Dance de Puck” and hope to add on “La Fille” if I have time.
BTW, i just noticed something curious…why are the titles of the pieces written at the END (bottom right side) of the pieces?
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I'm learning "Des pas sur la neige", the sixth prelude from Debussy's first book . Hypnotic, haunting... I'm very impressed by the sense of time that this music conveys. Debussy wrote: Ce rythme doit avoir la valeur sonore d'un fond de paysage triste et glacé (The rhythm should evoke the sound of a bleak and frozen landscape in the background).
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I will have a go at Clair de Lune, I haven’t properly learned any Debussy before. Looking forward to the challenge! 😀
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I've chosen Lent, mélancolique et doux from Images oubliées. This has always been one of my favorites for its beautiful melody mixing sweet and sad. I'm excited to finally learn it!
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I’ve chosen The Little Shepard, for how it wonderfully evokes a hazy light filled image of the Shepard calling his flock.
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I’ll work on the 2nd Arabesque.
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I've chosen the Debussy sonata for piano and cello because I find this piece soulful. There was supposed to be three of these duos with piano, but he never got to the other two before he died. I love that the piano and the cello are so intertwined in this piece and the difficulty is mutual. I have a cellist friend who isn't even aware of the piece, but willing to learn it and play together.
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I'm going to try Pour le piano, probably just the 1st piece of the set. I half learned it over a decade ago, and I've always wanted to finish it (and then finish the whole set, really).
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I'm choosing Arabesque 1...I've sight read it two or three times, but never buckled down to learn it. Would also love to learn the Menuet from the Suite Bergamesque, but I need help with that.
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I am working on the Menuet from Suite Bergamasque.