La La Land – City of Stars - Justin Hurwitz

Several challenges arise while performing "City of Stars," which may present difficulties for pianists of varying skill levels:

• Hand Coordination: The interplay between the right-hand melody and left-hand accompaniment can be tricky. In measures 14-16, where the rhythm diverges, players may find it difficult to maintain synchronization.

• Dynamic Control: The piece requires careful attention to dynamics, especially in capturing the soft nuances. Measures including passing notes and grace notes can dilute melodic clarity if not played with proper control, especially in the transitions throughout the piece.

To master "City of Stars," pianists should focus on the following areas:

A. Breaking Down the Sections

• Use of a Metronome: When tackling measures with rhythmic complexity, such as 14-15, practice with a metronome to maintain a steady tempo while focusing on the left hand's steady quarter notes against the right hand's syncopation.

B. Dynamic Exercises

• Dynamic Contrast: Practicing specifically for dynamic control can be beneficial. Create exercises where you exaggerate the soft and loud passages, particularly in measures 18-20 where articulation and dynamic change occurs frequently.

C. Repeated Listenings

• Listening to Recordings: Listening to professional recordings will help visualize phrasing and dynamics. Pay attention to how different performers interpret specific passages, particularly the transitions where tension builds, allowing you to incorporate those stylistic choices into your playing.

By concentrating on these techniques and employing focused practice strategies, pianists will enhance their proficiency and execution of "City of Stars," embracing its charm and emotion with confidence.

Detailed Analysis of "City of Stars" from La La Land

"City of Stars," composed by Justin Hurwitz, is a charming piece set in F Major and characterized by its smooth melodic lines and rich harmonic structure.

• Form and Structure: The score follows a lyrical structure that ebbs and flows, capturing the essence of the film's romantic narrative. The beginning sections are framed with a simple yet effective interplay between melody and harmony, creating a soothing atmosphere that resonates well with the audience.

• Harmonic Progression: The chord progression prominently features the I (F Major), IV (B♭ Major), and V (C Major) chords, alongside moments that introduce VI (D minor) and II (G minor) chords, enhancing the emotional depth of the melody. For instance, bars 4-5 use a beautiful progression involving the IV and I chords, which is repeated throughout the piece, providing a thematic consistency.

• Melodic Elements: The main melody, primarily played by the right hand, showcases a blend of stepwise motion and occasional leaps, seen in measures 6-8 where the melody moves from D5 to E5 and then gracefully ascends back to C5. This fluidity captures the whimsical nature of the piece.

• Rhythmic Patterns: The 4/4 time signature combined with a moderate tempo (95 BPM) allows for expressive phrasing. The score makes effective use of various rhythmic figures, including dotted notes and syncopation, especially notable in measures 14-15, where the right hand rhythmically contrasts with the steady pulse of the left hand.

City of Stars

• Artist
  Justin Hurwitz
• Number of imitations:
  187
• Genre
  Justin Hurwitz
• Key
  F Major
• Tempo
  95
• Pages
  3
• Notation
  Justin Hurwitz
• Compose
  Justin Hurwitz
• Introduction
  City of Stars' - Justin Hurwitz, This music is undefined, arr. by Justin Hurwitz, Suitable for all students to learn