+++
author = ["authors/jenna.md"]
categories = "Humour"
date = "2014-08-29T08:00:00-04:00"
lastmod = "2015-04-27T18:01:00-04:00"
primary_image = "https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1545409169/media/webhook-uploads/1429219797843/Screen%20Shot%202015-04-16%20at%205.29.26%20PM.png"
publishDate = "2014-08-29T08:00:00-04:00"
short_description = "Let me share what I think is a common source of frustration for pianists learning operas. You&#039;re playing along (sight-reading like a pro), maybe missing a few notes here and there, but getting the general sound of the show, and you get to that really famous part in that opera. Like, &quot;Ride of the Valkyries&quot;/&quot;Largo al factotum&quot;/&quot;Toreador Song&quot; famous. "
slug = "i-love-this-partoh-"
title = "I love this part...oh &amp;#$*"
+++

Let me share what I think is a common source of frustration for pianists learning operas. You're playing along (sight-reading like a pro), maybe missing a few notes here and there, but getting the general sound of the show, and you get to that _really famous_ part in that opera. Like, "Ride of the Valkyries"/"Largo al factotum"/"Toreador Song" famous. For example, I got caught in the augmented-triad trap _and_ the modes-not-scales trap recently with that tricky beauty, _Madama Butterfly_. And you realize it's sort of harder to play than you expected (especially the Valkyries bit, eep). You're in a wonky key (why didn't you know it was in that key?), and there are more notes than you remember hearing. Or it's jumpy, and you keep missing the bass note. (*cough* _anvilchorus_) And this is generally the _status quo_ when you're sight-reading through a new piece. But it's _so frustrating_ when it's a famous bit. Am I right? [That scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZzTv0Sb4Zg) in _Il barbiere di Siviglia_, anyone?
"Ride of the Valkyries" for scale:

<figure data-type="image">{{% md %}}![](https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1545409169/media/webhook-uploads/1429213917601/Screen%20Shot%202015-04-16%20at%203.51.12%20PM.png)

Pianists, what famous parts from operas get your fingers in a twist? Let us know in the comments below!
