Debussy’s La fille aux cheveux de lin ("The Girl with the Flaxen Hair") is one of the most beloved piano preludes ever written.

Its simple melody and delicate atmosphere make it instantly recognizable, yet performing it convincingly requires extraordinary sensitivity.

In this lesson segment, Jean-Yves Thibaudet explores how the piece’s beauty emerges from restraint. He demonstrates how tone color, phrasing, and the balance between voices shape Debussy’s harmony and expressive world.

Download the PDF workbook to explore these ideas at the keyboard and deepen your understanding of Debussy’s iconic prelude.

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