judi

Double Notes, de Falla and Dohnányi

In this month’s Practice Clinic, Graham Fitch answered questions on works by de Falla and Dohnányi. Topics discussed included achieving lightness, using rotation in arpeggios and double notes.

de Falla and Dohnányi

Practice clinic questions

Manuel de Falla Seranata Andaluza  (in Pianist Magazine Issue 124, bars 1-16) – I am having trouble keeping it light enough. Also, I have a very small hand and the left hand arpeggios are not very fluid. Could you suggest some practice strategies to address these issues?

Using rotations in two octave arpeggios – How does one play a two octave arpeggio using the single and double rotation without stretching of the fingers? I find this technique a little awkward; especially when negotiating the next octave.

Use of double sharps vs natural signs – Why is F double sharp used in the Moonlight Sonata (third movement, bar 8)?

Dohnányi Rhapsody No. 3 in C major, Op. 11 – I have just started this work and am struggling with the opening section, particularly how to nail the first few bars and to play the second theme lightly and with character. Also, from bar 35 I find my right hand seizing up with the double notes and I just can’t coordinate.

Next practice clinic

Our next practice clinic takes place on Wednesday 18th May on our Facebook page at 12:00 BST (11:00 GMT). Please sign-up to our mailing list here for updates on future practice clinic dates.

Watch previous clinics

Recordings of past practice clinics are posted up on our Facebook page and YouTube channel shortly after each event. You can also view our full archive of previous events via these links!

How they work?

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

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.

judi

Schumann, Mozart, Muscle Memory & Double Notes

Our latest Practice Clinic recording features answers to questions on tackling double notes, pedalling, building muscle memory and tempo in works by Schumann, Mozart and Brahms.

Schumann Von fremden Ländern und Menschen

Practice clinic questions

Schumann Von fremden Ländern und Menschen from Kinderszenen, Op. 15 No. 3 – How should one pedal Bar 8 – should I pedal only once, at the beginning when playing B, and carry on OR pedal twice (i.e when G is played with the left hand) as part of the accompaniment? Also how should one combine the ritardando with the fermata in Bars 13 – 14?

Mozart Nine Variations on a Minuet by Duport, K573 Variation IV – Can you please advise on methods to improve rapid runs of 3rds and 6ths (double notes)?

Developing Muscle Memory – I have seen how you have demonstrated how your muscle memory is developed to the point that you can play a piece without consciously being aware of the notes. This can leave you entirely free to put 100% effort into playing musically and artistically. Sadly it is very rare that my muscle memory is so well developed, only those very few pieces which over the years I have played over and over and over (and over!!!) again. With such pieces, the music can really flow freely and is so much more expressive. Can you give any advice on how to speed up the building of muscle memory to attain the degree you have demonstrated?

Brahms Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118 No.2 – Could you please demonstrate the best bars to put in some changes in tempo / rubato in this piece?

Further resources & links

The following are links to resources mentioned in this practice clinic:

Next practice clinic & new format

Going forward, our practice clinics are no longer taking place on Facebook live but are rather pre-recorded and published alongside our regular blog posts. Our next clinic will be published in November. Please sign-up to our mailing list here for updates on future practice clinic dates and to receive links to the recordings when they become available.

Watch previous clinics

Recordings of past practice clinics are posted up on our blog, Facebook page and YouTube channel once recorded and you can also view our full archive of previous events via these platforms.

How they work?

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

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.