Music Lesson: Icy Fire by Ed Sheeran

Introduction

Let's check out Icy Fire by Ed Sheeran.

• Genre: Pop
• Key: B flat minor
• Time Signature: 4/4

Background on the Song

Ed Sheeran wrote this song specifically for the end credits of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. He chose a lilting Celtic-influenced tune for the song because it fit the character of the film.

Understanding the Key

In the key of B flat minor, especially on the piano, there are five flats. It's not the easiest to play, so you need to have really nice and round fingers to get it all right.

Harmonies in the Intro

In the intro, you immediately hear a Celtic-sounding cadence:

• B flat minor
• G flat major
• A flat major
• Back to B flat minor

The advice given in your sheet music is "con pedale," meaning to pedal throughout the piece. I will show you how to do this later.

Structure of the Song

Intro and Verses

• Piano Intro: 4 bars
• Verse 1: 8 bars
• Re-intro (Bar 13): Mirrors the first two bars of the piece
• Verse 2: 10 bars (unusual length, last two bars recap bars 7 and 8)

This leads directly to a big chorus without a pre-chorus. It kicks straight in!

Key Elements for the Chorus

• Accompaniment: Juicy piano
• Most importantly, make the left hand sound great and change the pedal on every single note to avoid muddy bass notes.
• Chorus (Bars 24-25): Played in forte or mezzo forte, definitely louder than the previous sections.

Technical Considerations

• Focus on the grace notes that come in the right hand.
• You need a strong hand for the A flat on the second finger.
• Practice chords, such as G flat major with an added ninth, to stretch your hand comfortably.

Instrumental Sections

• After the chorus is a beautiful instrumental for 4 bars (Bar 33).
• Another instrumental hook reappears in Bar 36, utilizing the initial Celtic motif.

Third Verse

The third verse returns for another 10 bars and has been harmonized using parallels. If you listen to the original track, you'll hear the strings harmonizing until bar 47.

Conclusion of the Piece

Our grade four piece finishes after verse three; there is no outro, ending straight after bar 47.

Practicing the Piece

Key Practice Tips

• Grace Notes: It's vital to bring out the grace notes and the 32nd notes in the right hand.
• Strengthening Fingers: Practice with strong fingers, especially for the fourth finger, the laziest finger on our hand.

Exercise: Hold the fourth, first, and third fingers, while pressing down the fourth finger to activate its muscle memory.

Technical Advice

• Strong articulation in the right hand is essential when playing in B flat minor.
• Practice the left hand separately to maintain a solid pulse throughout the syncopations.

Counting Exercise:

1. Count on eight to get the pulse right:
   1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4.
   Continue counting until you feel comfortable.

Dynamics

• Start with mezzo piano.
• When the chorus comes in, increase to mezzo forte or forte if you are alone.
• Towards the end, during the recap, employ softer dynamics, perhaps using the left pedal.

Summary of Practice Tips

• Practice the B flat minor scale before starting the piece.
• Familiarize yourself with the initial cadence over the first four chords.
• Take time to practice with strong fingers and good articulation, especially on the 32nd notes and grace notes.
• Ensure clarity in both the right and left hands, which work together through syncopations.

Once you get these elements right, I believe you'll deliver a great performance of this piece!