DEVON HILL

Master the Sonata The Sonata form became popular in the Classical period and is perhaps most famous because of Beethoven. Though, many gifted and well-known composers have penned sonatas, learning to play one is very often a staple of any piano education. Sonatas take careful practice and fine articulation to play well, but once mastered, they are a joy both to listen to and play. Sonatas vry as to how many forms they have, but the traditional sonata, Allegro Form, has three different variations. These are: the exposition, the development, and the recapitulation. Composers think of these different sections as a way to tell a story through music—even without words. Briefly, the exposition introduces the piece’s theme, and is usually played at a moderate tempo. The development progresses and expands the theme. Usually, this part is slower and has some key changes. The recapitulation, finally ties everything together and concludes. It is usually played quickly and is the showier part of the music. Practice and master each movement separately before you combine them. It is essential to keep precise timing. Practicing with a metronome at first, will help you be consistent. Oftentimes, the left hand keeps the beat.