Debussy Challenge – Week 1 Goal “Pick Your Piece!”

Dominic_Cheli
1 mth ago
85replies

“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!

- Mom, fitness instructor, lover of music
- Michelle_Russell
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
After researching the list for "beginners," I'm even more convinced that I'll be cheering everyone on from the sidelines (which I'm perfectly ok with)! "The Little Shepherd" is on the Tonebase level 5 list, and I know I'm not there yet. I'd rather not learn just part of a piece, so unless my teacher thinks there is something reasonably within my reach, I'll happily watch everyone make beautiful music. It looks like there will be a terrific selection to enjoy.
- Pediatrician
  
  a_weymann
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  your active, attentive listening and your cheering us on from the sidelines will be very much appreciated, Michelle. And we all know that at the rate you have been learning and developing, you will be performing your first Debussy piece very soon!
- Mom, fitness instructor, lover of music
  
  Michelle_Russell
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  Thanks so much, Alex. I enjoy being able to join in with my own recordings, but I recognize that jumping into something at which I have a low probability of being successful will not be good for my confidence. My teacher has been scaffolding things carefully to increase both my piano-specific skills and my feeling of confidence. I know that I can enjoy, learn, and be part of the community without actually playing!
- Cynthia_Crawford
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  Hi Michelle
  
  I know how you feel. Have you tried (or anyone else)" Page D'Album". It is little known and for me it was a great, easier work to start with. I'm not much beyond a beginner either!
- Mom, fitness instructor, lover of music
  
  Michelle_Russell
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  Thanks so much for the recommendation, Cynthia. I looked it up, and it's a bit beyond my current abilities. Perhaps in a couple of years I'll be able to play one of these pieces. It's ok - I've learned to be patient. There are a lot of other fun pieces to learn, and my teacher is introducing me to music I'd never even heard of before.
- Mom, fitness instructor, lover of music
  
  Michelle_Russell
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  In consultation with my teacher, it is agreed that I'm not yet ready for Debussy. We both thought it odd that any pieces were listed for levels 1-3. So instead, for this week, I'll post my favorite recording of the 1st Arabesque.
  
  https://youtu.be/JCTQTp1PdnA?si=i26cgaknfdkd2pBB
- vbashyam
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  Love Maria! Thanks for posting!
- Victoria_Macdonald
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  A bit fast for my taste.
- Mom, fitness instructor, lover of music
  
  Michelle_Russell
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  Which is why it's great to have so many options for listening and interpreting!
- Sachi
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
Clair de Lune: I learned it a year ago. I`ve been practicing again during the Summer. My aim is to improve and share my recording.

If I have time, I would like to sight read La fille aux cheveu de lin.

Thank you for the inspiration Dominic.
- Jack.7
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
I will do Reflets dans L’eau, from the first Images, and maybe later L’isle Joyeuse. Reflets is one I’ve wanted to learn for the past couple of years and never got around to it, and L’isle is one that I have learnt before, but do not think I have performed it to its full potential.
- Cynthia_Crawford
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
I'll try "La fille aux cheveux de lin" -have been working at trying to play it from memory make it hang together better. I love the harmonies and want to do it justice.
- Hanon survivor
- Ken_Locke
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
Claire de Lune for me. Read it once or twice but never learned it. Its rhythms on the page look harder than they sound when played by experts! It's been on my list for a long time, time to get going with it.
- vbashyam
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
I am working on “Bruyères” from book 2 of the Preludes. I really like the pastoral feeling of this piece. Looking forward to exploring the Debussy sound world.
- Patrick_Fleitz
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
I don't have much time to practice, but I know that joining this challenge will force me to find the time! I've always wanted to learn "Voiles" so I will do what I can!
- TT2022
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  I just decided to learn Voiles too!
- Have a growth mindset, no matter what!
  
  Gail_Starr
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  I can’t wait to hear you!
- Lawrence_Fenster
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
La fille aux cheveux de lin
- TT2022
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
Will use this as an opportunity to learn Voiles. I love its mysterious, haunting quality.
- banker, pianist and clarinetist
- Ismail_Douiri
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
I will try Reverie transcribed and transposed for piano and clarinet (with my son on the clarinet)
- Church organist and amateur pianist in my free time. Otherwise a lawyer and sinologist now studying psychology.
- Astrida_Gobina
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
I will learn “Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut” from Images book II.
- Pediatrician
  
  a_weymann
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  now we just need someone to learn “Poissons d’or” and we’ll have the complete set!
- Church organist and amateur pianist in my free time. Otherwise a lawyer and sinologist now studying psychology.
  
  Astrida_Gobina
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  oh! That would be phantastic!
- Have a growth mindset, no matter what!
  
  Gail_Starr
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  I’d love to do it…maybe in 2026?
- Pediatrician
  
  a_weymann
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  go for it! I’m sure Jarred would love to teach it. I’ll find out soon enough; it’s on my plate for this year since I am planning to learn the entire 2ème livre of “Images”.