Tag: Berceuse

In this month’s practice clinic, Graham Fitch answers questions on playing fast and evenly, Alberti basses and practice methods for a Sonata and Bagatelle by Beethoven, Chopin’s Berceuse and a Mazurka.

Practice clinic questions

Beethoven Bagatelle in E-Flat Major, Op. 33 No. 1 – I have a hard time practising the right hand double notes in bars 19-20. Can you give some suggestions on how to practise these two bars and to play them fast and evenly? I also have trouble with the left hand accompaniment at bar 81.

Beethoven Sonata in F Major, Op. 10 No 2 (1st mvt) – I’m having difficulty with the fast Alberti bass from bar 30 onwards (similarly from bar 20 in Op. 49 No. 1). My fingers get stuck in the black keys and it’s hard to find a good fingering for the bass note and to play softly. I have no problem playing the C major equivalent at bar 162 though and find that forearm rotations and moving my wrist up and down the keys helps!

Chopin Mazurka in G Minor, Op. 67, No. 2 – The first and last sections are coming along well, but the middle section (bars 22 to bar 24) is not yet secure. Any suggestions to make this more secure would be most welcome.

Chopin Berceuse in D-Flat Major, Op. 57 – I adore this work but always come adrift in the RH chordal section in bars 35 – 36. I would be very grateful if you could give me some ideas for practising these bars!

Next practice clinic

Our next Practice clinic takes place on 15th March 2023 @ 12:00 GMT. Please sign-up to our mailing list here for updates on future practice clinic dates.

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Online Academy subscribers can submit questions for practice clinics up to two weeks before each session. This can be done using the link provided on the Online Academy dashboard under “subscription benefits” (click here to sign-in and visit your dashboard).

Further information on how our practice clinics work is available here or please click here to find out more about the Online Academy.