Just wondering if anyone else is playing this -or trying it out to see if they like it? What do you think of it? I think it's the sort of piece that is growing on me (but very slowly )

Is it the Prelude?

Valse noble et sentimentale no. 5...

Just having a listen to the piece now....

It seems like one of those pieces where until one's certain what one's playing is actually what it's meant to sound like, one will think it sounds a bit odd. Once one is satisfied that one is not just making it up, and actually just listens to it without prejudice, it suddenly sounds much better .

Stick it out, you'll be fine .

Ahhh the prelude was on a syllabus a few years back...oops

I'm hoping to look at it soon. I've read through it very slowly, but it's incredibly difficult to read the notes correctly to start with!

I've been playing the Prelude for a few weeks (yes, it's from the dark blue Grade 7 book) and I hope to play it at Egham.

It grows on you doesn't it? (the Prelude)
Sends shivers down your spine when you get it just right.

Yes it's the sort of piece where you question almost every chord initially but after 3 days I'm much clearer about what it should sound like &, now the speed's picked up, it's much easier to hear the melody. I think my hands & brain find it easier than very fast pieces.

I cheated - I listened to it after I'd read through it, and it made a lot more sense! I'm lucky enough to have Pascal Roge playing the complete Ravel piano works, but I wasn't very familiar with the Valses.

I'm getting there with the Prelude, sbhoa. It's taken a while to get the finger-knotting octave section sorted out, especially as I can only play RH octaves with my fingers on the edge of the keys. I just love bars 20-22. So absolutely typically Ravel. I could here those anywhere and spot the composer straight away.

Sorry, I'm getting carried away. I've been in love with Ravel's music for more than 20 years, and I'm still having to pinch myself now I can actually play some of it (even if it's his shortest, easiest piece).