Clair de Lune (digital download)
Clair de Lune (Debussy/arr. Keeling) - for flute or electric flute (digital download)
SHEET MUSIC PDF - DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
This arrangement of Clair de Lune is preferably performed with the electric flute. If you are not performing with an electric flute, a reverberant performance space is recommended in order to imitate the delay effect. Either way, this piece is meant to be performed with rubato, spaciousness, and freedom.
If performing with electric flute, two effects pedals are required: delay and auto- harmonizer.
- DELAY: the delay effect is left on throughout, with the exception of mm. 63-65.
- Delay time (time between echoes): c. 3 sec.
- Echo level: 65%
- Feedback (echoes repeat for): c. 6 sec.
- AUTO-HARMONIZER: should be set to produce the lower third, in the key of D-flat major.
The use of these two pedals create the illusion of a pianist playing the piece, instead of a solo monophonic instrument. The delay effects allows the harmonies to sustain, while the auto-harmonizer imitates Debussy’s signature compositional style of parallel thirds.
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This arrangement is dedicated to my mom, Dana Gensler, and my grandmother, Grand Jenny Leigh.
My mom is a pianist and my first music teacher. As a child, I remember waking up to her piano playing on the weekends; my dad recorded her playing Beethoven sonatas before I was born (I still have the cassette tape!). She taught me so much about expressiveness in music, and I am so grateful for her everlasting support of me as a musician.
My grandmother (my mom's mother) was also a pianist. Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune was her signature piece, and she would often play it at family gatherings. This is a very special piece in my family.
To both of these incredible women musicians – thank you for passing on the gift of Music.
