[CAUT] Speaking of Chopin...

[Fred Sturm]

On Jan 14, 2009, at 6:39 AM, Porritt, David wrote:

> In this discussion of key choices made by composers, we have never  
> yet entertained the idea that some keys are chosen for the simple  
> reason that a particular key falls under the fingers more  
> comfortably than others.  Chopin said that he thought beginners  
> should start playing in the key of B because it falls under the  
> hands so much more comfortably than any other.  On this, I agree  
> with him.  Take one of his pieces written in B and try to play it in  
> B-flat.  It's very awkward.  This had to have some influence on a  
> choice of key.

Yes, and to bolster that notion, when teaching piano lessons Chopin  
taught the B major scale first, because he said it was the most  
natural. It falls best under the fingers.
	Note that many of the ragtime composers wrote almost exclusively in  
keys with lots of flats or sharps - same reason.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm at unm.edu