How to Play Rachmaninoff | Prelude in C Sharp Minor Op.3 No.2 [Tutorial]

Here is my complete tutorial on "how to" learn, practice, and play the Prelude in C sharp minor, Op.3 No.2 by Sergey Rachmaninoff.
In this tutorial, I am explaining the whole piece in 3 sections; The first, middle, and last.
I am showing how to approach the chords with separate and both hands. You will also see how to make clear voicing on different layers with the chords and the middle part.
I also explain the pedaling and phrasing and give you an idea of interpreting this piece.
You can download the sheet music for free in the link below, where you will find my fingerings as well;
antune.me/free-sheet-music/
Are you interested in a one-to-one Online Piano Lesson with Antune?
Visit the link below to check for availability;
www.antune.me/private-online-...
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Contents of this video;
0:00 - Intro
0:17 - 1st phrase - Right hand
3:47 - 1st phrase - Left hand
6:55 - 1st phrase - Both hands
8:16 - 1st phrase - Pedals
12:11 - 1st phrase - Phrasing
17:51 - 2nd phrase
19:19 - Middle section (Agitato) Right hand
22:58 - Middle section (Agitato) Left hand
24:38 - Middle section (Agitato) Both hands
26:30 - Last section (Tempo primo)
30:23 - Coda
31:58 - Playthrough/Whole piece
#rachmaninoff #pianotutorial #rachmaninov

[@Antune]

Which piece from Rachmaninoff you’d like to see a tutorial about?

[@christiannavalentina5034]

How about the Rachmaninoff prelude in G# minor #12, op32? I've been struggling with it for years .

[@Antune]

@@christiannavalentina5034 It is of my favorites! The next one will be op.23 no.5 and after that I’ll do op.32 no.12. Probably around end of March!

[@christiannavalentina5034]

@@Antune Fantastic, I'm looking forward to seeing both!

[@susanamelody7319]

Chopin Polonaise Heroic❤🙂

[@IgnacDvorsky]

Little Red Riding Hood?

[@lubabalomahlombe451]

I've been listening to Rachmaninov for years but never attempted playing any of his works. Learning to play this I'm shocked by how simple and natural it all is once you get past the mechanics.

[@EVP-Voices]

As a self taught pianist I was nervous of approaching this piece, but your instruction has given me the confidence and knowledge of how to break down each phrase. It's certainly challenging to apply the correct pedal technique. Thank you so much for this video, it's giving me hours of enjoyment, and I must say that you play beautifully!

[@bluie2889]

thank you very much! I used to study in a conservatory for almost 6 years, but I left and now I can't afford a professor. I want to be as good as I was and progress, so I'm learning this piece and this video is helping me so much! It is sounding beautiful! I missed so much the wise words of a professional, I really missed it

[@Antune]

Thank you for the kind words! I am happy to hear that my video gives you motivation, and I wish you good luck with your progress. All the best!

[@Jonathan_Moene]

Most underrated channel ever

[@behzadeb]

hello mr i just wanted to say i realy thank you_ u teached me a whole peace in a 40 min for free and i think a teacher would ask for 20 to 40 $ for teaching it .❤

[@gracielacapobianco1347]

Muchas gracias por transmitir tus conocimientos, estuve muchos años dedicada al piano, pero pasaron muchos años y no lo hice más. Así que tus clases, además de ser geniales, me vienen súper bien!!! Muchas gracias!!!❤👏

[@white-ed9uv]

I don't know how this video doesn't have many more views Thank you very much for the recommendations for this beautiful piece Greetings from Peru

[@Valentin-wc9vj]

Ты верно заметил,к сожалению человечество отчуждаеться от прекрасного и вечного что сотворили Великие Мастера, а жаль...Но настоящих ценителей Искусства эта тенденция не касается, к счастью...

[@13boehn]

The score contains a typo in measure 5. The left hand plays a D-octave with an E in the middle; this is supposed to be on D#. The reprise (bar 48) contains the correct D#, which is quite curious. The mistake stems from an inacurracy in the first edition, Henle has an Article about this prelude with comparisons to the autograph: "A wrong ‘D’ goes out into the world - Rachmaninoff’s Prélude in c sharp minor under the magnifying glass".

[@christiannavalentina5034]

Thank you, fantastic tutorial! love the details and your hands and technique are extremely expressive and graceful. This was very helpful. Would you be will to do a tutorial on Chopin Nocturne in Bb min?

[@Antune]

Thank you! I am happy to hear that. I would definitely make a tutorial on Bb minor nocturne, although there is a few other pieces by Chopin that I want to make a tutorial about first. All the best!

[@keremkeskiner7727]

Everything a learner/student would ask for... Thanks a lot... Again... 👌

[@ferhatkayakaramenderes4866]

This guy! Thanks for putting this effort man! Appriciate it! Good luck!

[@Antune]

Thanks man!

[@johnpickering4579]

very much enjoyed this especially how to play measures 36-43 and make them sound melodic. Also that agitato doesn't mean super fast! Thanks for posting

[@lenovotablet6700]

You don't even know how good of a teacher you are. What a professional teacher. Your approach is very helpful. There is one problem with me, i learned this piece with left hand using 2 fingers and right hand 4 fingers. 😢

[@Antune]

Thank you for the kind words! Sorry to hear you have learned it in that way. I hope the video helps to fix it as soon as possible. All the best!

[@aysglvx]

Very serious and helpful work! I really enjoyed it Thank you.

[@Antune]

Thank you!

[@fraterpine]

Maestro! im so honored to have your lessons TY!!!!

[@lucialuque4263]

Thank you very much!!!! It's a great tutorial, I will practice every detail. Thank you again!!!

[@sneezyIce]

I hope to play this piece one day! Great tutorial, as always :)

[@Antune]

Thank you Chris, and good luck!

[@yohanbosselet520]

Thanks a lot for all your advices, it was very helpful.🙏🏽

[@jonthebob2159]

Just figured out when you jump to the lower melody, play right hand louder than left hand. It makes it sound much more like the video and better overall.

[@kldimond]

Brilliant! And thank you!! Just breathless at the performance, and your dissection of it is a marvel.

[@Antune]

So kind! Thank you.

[@idiliusmidilius]

You're an amazing teacher too, your students are lucky! Thanks for breaking down the piece so clear and easy to understand for beginners like me. 💙

[@caneblu7625]

Wow your video are truly explicative, Great tutorial!!

[@buttercubbb1996]

Thank you very much! This is more than enough! Very much details!

[@corbinaquino]

this is so helpful!!!!! thank you :)

[@vanolla]

Thank you for this very detailed explanation. You have helped me tremendously in learning this piece.

[@ernestoodo2560]

Una joya de tutorial!!!! Felicidades, y gracias por compartir tu ser!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌 Saludos desde México.

[@gingervytis]

Excellent tutorial. I see that I have been trying to change over/under hands far too often. Thank you.

[@ehsanar228]

great tutorial and very very nice camera angle. would u please do tutorial for Rach prelude op. 23 no. 5 in g minor? if it is possible. thanks anyway

[@Antune]

Ehsan AR Thank you! Rach op.23 no.5 is in my to do list. Probably not really soon but I’ll make a tutorial about it after new year. Cheers!

[@Nightsbringer1]

I started learning this piece after ages away from the piano. It looked horrific until you realise the opening phrase in the right hand is an octave with a 5th for most of it, and the left is an octave with a 3rd

[@scottgentry7820]

Excelent instructional video. I appreciate the details and thoroughness. The camera scans the keyboard too rapidly at times. It would help to hold it more still so the details of the fingering and hand position could more easily be perceived. Thank you for your needed contributions.

[@bettyperez6278]

Thank you, very, very nice tutorial, soy de Mérida Yuc. México me parece maravilloso. felicidades, eres un gran maestro. 👌👍👏❤

[@Antune]

Glad you enjoyed it! Many thanks 🙏

[@ryanwatson8847]

Hello! This video is incredibly helpful and exactly what I was looking for! Thanks from Australia😁

[@Antune]

Hello there! I am happy to hear. Thank you!

[@Meilat1890]

Amazing tutorial. Very thorough and methodical. 🙂

[@Antune]

Thanks so much!

[@chyong-linglin6223]

love your tutoring. Thank you!

[@Antune]

Happy to hear, thank you!

[@bettyghidons2991]

Grazie mille. Spegazione molto precisa. Grazie mille!!!👍

[@joeloesch1219]

This is excellent. You are a great teacher. Thank you

[@Antune]

Glad you think so. Thank you!

[@9DarkAngelx]

Thank you so much it really helps a lot!

[@Antune]

Glad it helped! Good luck!

[@bodoque706]

Thank you!!!!!

[@amelianorbert1639]

Amazing tutorial! My only question is if we can get a detailed look at the pedaling throughout the piece? I am having trouble with the pedaling for the accelerated parts.

[@chyong-linglin6223]

謝謝！

[@munaarebi2459]

Fantastic tutorial. The camera man is moving too much in the middle part which is unfortunate for such a wonderful tutorial.

[@Antune]

Sorry about that, thank you!

[@martintobar7966]

Really great tutorial! I like how is dissected the piece in different sections and that you showed how to correctly use the pedal, but I wished you also showed how to use the pedal correctly on the middle section 😔. I don know how to do it correctly

[@nowaafps]

Really helpful, the way you fractioned the song in parts, and broke it down, made the song really easy to understand and learn

[@Antune]

Happy to hear! Good luck

[@CDS-pb4ng]

Simply great‼️thank you so much‼️I was wondering if you could make a tutorial of Rachmaninov's beautiful Elégie op. 3 n1...

[@Antune]

Thank you! It isn’t in my repertoire, but sometime in the future, I would do it for sure!

[@mehparebayramogullar8705]

Great🧿🍀👍❤

[@Antune]

Thank you!

[@tomasperson6462]

Парень, это круто!

[@Antune]

Спасибо!

[@peterbrenton410]

Very helpful. Thank you. One question -why not wait longer in the penultimate bar after the bass c sharp before the final 3:chords ? There is a 2 beat rest here in place of 1 beat rests on the previous bars .I prefer the longer wait here as the composer has suggested

[@petertarsio7168]

Do one on Opus 23 No. 5 Rachmaninoff Prelude as well! 😊

[@kandidomartinez3675]

Wow , este tutorial es muy bueno !!! Mis mano son muy pequeñas pero no me daré por vencido 😂 .

[@MrPABLOplay]

I would love to see your tutorial for Italian Polka (Gryzanov arr.)!

[@Antune]

I like the Italian Polka very much, it will be in my to do list! ;)

[@MrPABLOplay]

@@Antune Tkanks :)

[@KwaS1425]

Any thoughts on why the staccatos in the LH never seem to be observed in performance?

[@nikolas8266]

Hey Antune, thank you for providing sheet music with fingering for this piece. It is really helpful. Though I find the e sharps on the last "triplet" for the left hand on bars 37 and 39 for the left hand kind of weird. I think they sound better when they are just an e, like they are in bars 35 and 40. What do you think?

[@Antune]

That's my bad! The last triplets must be indeed E natural. I've made a mistake with the writing. Thanks for letting me know!

[@hadariguy]

Thank you so much for this tutorial, you made it clear and precise. At bar number 7 (left hand) 5:24 is it d or d sharp? Your video version shoes D however your downloadable version shows D sharp, which one is the right one?

[@Antune]

Thank you! It is D sharp. I've made a mistake in the video.

[@HiHello-rs1ey]

I have 2 suggestions Liszt polish song no2 and paganini etudes from liszt ! If you don’t want to do them it’s ok : )

[@petertarsio7168]

Also talk about slow practice and its value.

[@aneirozambrano]

it's a big topic of discussion, but I think the correct note in bar 6 is D sharp in both hands, in this score it's written naturally but it's not. who else can have an opinion on the matter.

[@philfogg75]

Sure your students are very lucky and happy with you… 👏🎊❤️

[@Antune]

You are so kind!

[@thepianotramp]

Thanks so much for this video. Could you tell me what is the tempo used for the "agitato" second part? I barely succeed to play at 100 :(

[@Antune]

You are very welcome! I am afraid there is no clear answer to this because the tempo will be different for anyone. I recommend focusing more on the character and striving to make it feel "agitato." Good luck!

[@thegaypianist9028]

I am curious how you get your set up like that? Any way I can get a tour of it? The lighting is so beautiful with the fade out and darkness. Also what Gopro or camera are you using?

[@Antune]

I used a GoPro 7 with a regular Led lamp on top. Glad you like it!

[@thegaypianist9028]

@@Antune Any chance i can get a virtual tour of ur studio? Lol. Its amazing and id love to know more about the production of your videos they are amazing

[@Antune]

@@thegaypianist9028 Many thanks! Currently, I don't have a permanent studio. However, I will share more information or make a tour video as soon as I have one!

[@thegaypianist9028]

@@Antune May I ask if the walls are black or do you have some sort of sheets to block out the sunlight?

[@MzkAutumn]

Great video!!!! Please add more! I would like to hear some about Bach's Inventions or Prelude&Fugue! Regards,from Romania!

[@Antune]

Many thanks! I have made three tutorials on Bach inventions and more to come! All the best.

[@MzkAutumn]

@@Antunethank you!! I will check it!

[@recklesswhisper]

Oh yeah! ^..^~~

[@petertarsio7168]

Let's have one on the G minor Prelude of Rachmaninoff the famous March like piece. 👍

[@Antune]

Here it is; kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIWZpqZ7it2Kl9U

[@BFHPET]

20:28 i dont get why there is 2 g clefs whit hands need to play which

[@mama-avito]

22:12

[@alexandrecupez2828]

I can't see this class, my labyrinthitis has attacked.

[@blueworld-iv4im]

Why did you move your camera so much?

[@rkcannon]

Why is the fingering that way? It seems easier to me to not overlap fingers, and you are then playing the same notes with each hand an octave apart.

[@Antune]

For better voicing control, we need to play as it’s written. By not overlapping the fingers, you would change the chords' structure, and despite playing them easily, you might struggle to emphasize or soften the right voices.

[@FrankJefferyRealEstate]

This is great, but the camera moving about has me dizzy.

[@oksanadolga6394]

I wish I could watch it, but the shaking of the camera made me dizzy too and just blew my mind…((( too bad can’t watch it…

[@user-ox1cn9pn3k]

The thing I am annoyed most by this piece is the damn E# harmonics that the low C# 's produce. It sounds like a picardy third and takes me out of the mood every single time.