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Schumann The Happy Farmer: piano tutorial

A farmer coming home happily from work: the melody is in the left hand, and that's the fun of it.

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About the piece

It belongs to the Album for the Young Op. 68, 43 pieces Schumann wrote in 1848 for his daughters and for every young pianist. The original title is “The Happy Farmer Returning from Work”.

The left hand sings the melody while the right accompanies with short chords; in the second part the melody also moves to the right hand.

How to practise it

  1. Learn the left-hand melody alone, singing and legato.
  2. The right-hand chords are light and detached, on the weak beats.
  3. Balance: the left hand must be louder than the right, the opposite of usual.
  4. Lively tempo, but not rushed.

Free sheet music

The Happy Farmer – 1

First page. Complete sheet music (PDF) on the Mutopia Project (CC BY-SA 2.5, edition by Philippe Hézaine); in the Piano Learning app you read it two pages side by side while you play.

Frequently asked questions

Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes, it is one of the most common pieces in the second year of study.

What is the Album for the Young?

A collection of short teaching pieces of increasing difficulty, written by Schumann in 1848.

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