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The short answer
Tambourin, Suite in E minor, RCT 2 is a piece by Jean-Philippe Rameau from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 6, an estimate.
- tambourin
- Baroque
- Key of E minor
- joyful
History
This Tambourin belonged to Rameau's 1724 keyboard collection before entering the world of stage dance. Richman places its later reuse beside the Musette in the dance section of Les Fêtes d'Hébé in 1739. It is distinct from the Tambourins in Rameau's 1741 chamber concerts.
Sources
What to listen for
A pickup launches an ornamented melody
The upper line begins above repeated low support. Hear its longer direction through the smaller ornaments.
Fuller chords bring the figure below
The pickup cell moves into the lower texture as upper figures broaden. Follow its role across the changing layers.
Long low support carries moving upper phrases
Upper melodic figures continue above a tied low E. Hear the written sustained strand without assuming pedal use.
Familiar responses reach a shorter close
The last moving cells settle into opening-related replies and a half-note ending. Hear that release as part of the longer phrase.
How to practise it
Four single attacks become a fuller arrival; held low group under changing pitches.
- Connect the rising-and-returning four-note approach to the fuller arrival without speeding up the short approach or landing late.
- Listen to the low group continuing beneath the later higher attack, and rehearse sustaining that low sound while the shorter line moves.
How hard is it
Brisk dance gestures require rhythmic drive, crisp articulation and secure hand coordination without letting repeated patterns become tense.
About this piece
- Licence
- Public Domain
- Source
- mutopiaproject.org
More by Jean-Philippe Rameau
- Les Tendres PlaintesLevel 5, estimatedWith Maestro
- Les Sauvages, Suite in G, RCT 6Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
- La Poule, Suite in G, RCT 6Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
