Last year, my kids listened to Mozart’s “Turkish March” in music class at school. I love classical music, and have that piece on CD so we’d listen to it in the car. We also have a piano and a book of Mozart’s more famous pieces, and I glanced through it once but didn’t see “Turkish March” in the index. My son, however, being more astute than I from time to time, did spot something interesting and handed me the book, open to a page titled “Rondo ala Turka” and asked, “Is this the Turkish March?”
I looked at the first few bars, and confirmed that it was indeed the Turkish March. Then my son just stood there, staring at me expectantly.
“You want me to play this?” I asked. He nodded. “It’s going to take me a while,” I said, but I sat down at the piano and started plunking away.
It did not take me long to figure out that I lack the keyboard skills to pull this piece off; I’ve been schooled in music theory and I can read music, but I never took a piano lesson. I can play guitar (and bass), though, so I tried switching instruments. Much better.
It took me a whole summer to learn the piece, and by the time I got through it I became bored with it so I started playing it with a swing beat to make it more interesting (for me, at least). It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t totally suck, so I give you Mozart’s Rondo ala Turka (ala Ricka):
Thursday, March 1, 2012
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13 comments:
Rick, that was awesome! Wow, not sure I could even manage it on the guitar. And how many guitars do you have?
Alex- Thanks! It took a long time to learn.
I have the 6 string acoustic I played in the video (Alvarez is the maker); a 4-string acoustic bass guitar (also Alvarez, video to come later this week, stay tuned (pun not intended)); a 12-string acoustic (never played, needs strings); a 6-string electric; and two electric basses (both 4 string, a Peavey I've had since high school, and a totally awesome Fender Jazz my awesome wife got me for Christmas).
It's always a pleasure to hear live music. Enjoyed the musical interlude, Rick.
I'm not a fan of waltzes, but they sound better on the guitar!
Thanks DG. i like this piece played straight up, but I think it goes well with the jazz/swing feel, too. To be honest, that change also slowed it down a tad and it makes it easier to play.
Damn, Rick. Very cool.
That's some pretty awesome guitar playing! Always wanted to learn how to pluck but all I learned was how to pluck chickens.
Thanks Matt / Nutshell ;-)
I can't pluck a chicken, but I can roast or fry the sucker A-OK!
I have a few CDs of piano music, and this one often gets stuck in my head. Got a really catchy beat. And you have the fingers for a piano player :)
I liked your version. I like string guitar.
.....dhole
Thanks Donna. I can play piano a little, but my fingering technique is terrible and very inefficient for something like this. Plus I lack the right hand / left hand synchronicity, the coordination playing guitar is different (not to mention the hand / wrist are inverted).
SO AWESOME! I am going to let the Pirate watch it tomorrow and then tell him that is the guy who wrote THE MAN IN THE CINDER CLOUDS.
Most excellent. Rock on.
Laurel- I hope he likes it, I know your kids are fond of classical music...
I expect a duo with Max at the piano!
Very cool indeed!
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