How to Play Sonata on the Piano

Use sheet music to play a piano sonata.

A sonata is a musical composition that consists of three or four movements. The first movement usually has an allegro tempo, and is of moderate speed. The second movement typically has a slow tempo. The third movement is faster and shorter than the other movements. The fourth movement has an allegro tempo, or a faster tempo, and is usually longer than the third movement, but shorter than the first movement. Many, but not all, piano sonatas possess this structure. In order to play a sonata on the piano, determine the type of sonata you want to play, examine the key signature and tempo of the movements, practice each movement individually, and then play the entire sonata.

Things You'll Need

• Sonata
• Metronome

Instructions

1. Pick a piano sonata that you want to play. Know the composers of the piano sonata and choose one that appeals to you. For example, you may decide that you want to play the Beethoven piano sonata "Opus 106 in B flat major." You can find various piano sonatas online or in a music store.

2. Practice each movement individually. When playing a sonata on the piano, you should make sure that each movement has the proper sound and note transition. You may need to play each movement individually more than once before playing the entire sonata.

3. Examine the key structure and tempo of each of the movements. In order to play a sonata on the piano, you have to make sure that you are playing the correct notes and that you are playing the notes at the right speed. For example, the beginning of the first movement of the Beethoven piano sonata "Opus 106 in B flat major" has a key signature with a B flat and an E flat. The tempo of the movement is allegro.

4. Analyze the dynamics of the movements. When playing sonatas on the piano, dynamics are important to the style of the piece. For example, the beginning of the first movement of the Beethoven piano sonata "Opus 106 in B flat major" is fortissimo. Therefore, you would play these opening notes loudly.

5. Analyze the articulation of the notes. In order to play a sonata on the piano, you must have the proper articulation. The first, third, and fourth movements tend to have more staccato notes than the second movement, where the notes are generally legato. For example, the chords that are at the beginning of the first movement of the Beethoven piano sonata "Opus 106 in B flat major" have dots over them, which means that they are staccato, or played shortly.

6. Analyze the pedal markings within the movements. The pedals on the piano help to produce the desired sound. The pedal on the right elongates the sound, while the pedal on the left mutes the sound. Normally, you use the right pedal for the pedal markings in the piece. However, if a section of the music is repeated, but at a softer dynamic, then you can use the right pedal.

7. Practice each of the movements with the metronome. You should use the metronome in order to maintain the proper rhythm when playing a sonata. If you find that you cannot follow the speed of the metronome, then pick a slower setting, and practice at this speed until you can play the movement successfully. Then, increase the speed until you reach the appropriate tempo.

8. Play the entire piano sonata. After you perfect each of the movements, you should play them all together. First, play the entire sonata with the metronome. Then play the sonata without the metronome.

References

• Think Quest: The Classical Era---Instrumental Music
• All About Beethoven: The Grand Sonata in B Flat Major Op. 106