La Ci Darem La Mano – Mr. G's Music Stuff

Introduction

Don Giovanni

The songs in an opera are not given names like other songs. They are called by the words in the first line. That is how today’s song, La Ci Darem La Mano, got it’s name. It is a song from an Opera called Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The words are in Italian. A lot of operas are written in Italian because of the sound of the vowels.

Don Giovanni is the main character in the opera. He is the type of person that will say or promise anything to get what he wants, but never keeps his promise. La Ci Darem La Mano is a duet, which means there are two singers. In it Don Giovanni is trying to get a woman named Zerlina to go for a walk with him and hold his hand, but she knows that he is not a nice person, so she doesn’t want to go at first. Eventually, he convinces her to go.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a musical genius. His music is not only beautiful, but he also had some really creative ideas that he used to make his music extra interesting and artistic. As you listen to this piece, notice that Mozart is illustrating the conversation using the singer’s vocal melodies. At first, Don Giovanni sings alone. Then Zerlina answers him and they sing back and forth to each other. When she agrees to go for a walk, they sing at together. It shows that the two characters have come together.

Watch below and look for the things I described.

Video

The Lesson

At The Piano

Slower

Full Speed

Sheet Music

There are a few challenges in playing this piece, but they are challenges that you have faced before, so don’t worry.

One challenge is the notes with no finger numbers, so make sure you don’t skip any. Use your ears and your brain to make sure it sounds right.

Another challenge is how you have to switch back and forth between hands a lot, so don’t let it break up the phrases. Focus on making it smooth.

Take it slow and remember to break it up into phrases.

Don’t try the challenge version until you’ve mastered the standard version.

Sheet Music

Piano

Piano Challenge Version

Ukulele

Guitar

Recorder

Xylophone or On-Screen Piano

Don’t Forget!

You can look up the ukulele chords and guitar chords and get help with reading tablature,
playing the recorder or rhythm (percussion) instruments right here on my website!

Listening

What do musicians do during coronavirus lockdown in Italy? They sing duets in their apartments!

This is a special little treat. Frank Sinatra was a famous popular singer and he sang La Ci Darem La Mano in a movie with an actress named Kathryn Grayson.

Introduction

Video

The Lesson

At The Piano

Sheet Music

Sheet Music

Piano

Piano Challenge Version

Ukulele

Guitar

Recorder

Xylophone or On-Screen Piano

Don’t Forget!

Listening

What do musicians do during coronavirus lockdown in Italy? They sing duets in their apartments!

🔊 Read It To Me bb3.onclick = function(){ if(responsiveVoice.isPlaying()){ responsiveVoice.cancel(); }else{ responsiveVoice.speak("What do musicians do during coronavirus lockdown in Italy? They sing duets in their apartments!", "US English Male"); } };

This is a special little treat. Frank Sinatra was a famous popular singer and he sang La Ci Darem La Mano in a movie with an actress named Kathryn Grayson.

Even the Muppets did their own version!

🔊 Read It To Me bb5.onclick = function(){ if(responsiveVoice.isPlaying()){ responsiveVoice.cancel(); }else{ responsiveVoice.speak("Even the Muppets did their own version!", "US English Male"); } };