Rêverie
About this arrangement
Debussy wrote Rêverie in 1890 and it was first published by Choudens in 1891. He later told his publisher it was a thing of no importance, written quickly as a favour, and that it was bad.
Learn the left-hand patterns alone until they flow without effort, then keep them softer than the melody. Use the loop on phrases where the harmony shifts.
Start with short loops.
Use the section list as a practice map. Start at 50% tempo, loop one section, then return to the full piece once the hand shape feels stable.
Choose Right or Left to focus on one hand. Wait for note checks the highlighted notes as you play them on the screen or a connected MIDI keyboard.
Before you practice.
01 How hard is Debussy's Rêverie?
It's intermediate. The tempo is gentle, but you need a smooth left hand, careful pedalling and a melody that stands out.
02 How long is Rêverie?
Our edition has 101 bars in 4/4.
03 What should I practise first?
The left hand alone, slowly, until the accompaniment is even. Then add the melody at 50% and listen for balance.
04 What did Debussy think of Rêverie?
Not much. In 1905 he wrote to his publisher's wife that it was written quickly as a favour and, in two words, 'it's bad'. Pianists have kept playing it anyway.
