How to glissando a 4-note chord? F to D? And fall offs too.

[Bob]

So in the music, it indicates I'm supposed to gliss with my right hand from a 4-note F Major chord down to a 4-note D Major chord, an octave between the outer notes.  I don't think it really matters what the voicing is.  Same situation each way.

The style is Brazilian samba.  Oooo... 

So how do you do that?  Not with the whole hand, all four notes.  Maybe just the top note?  Maybe just the thumb-pinky octave?


I have not mastered the octave glissando on white keys.  I'm guessing this is a related situation.


Also related -- If it was just a fall off, would it be the same technique?  4-note chord with a fall-off to nowhere.  What's the technique?  How do you do that exactly?  Where to end up with a glissando fall off that goes nowhere.  Not a long one, just a regular fall off.

  

I suppose I should start experimenting more with glissing.

[quantum]

Think of the gliss as a painting, the notes at the beginning and end are the frame.  If it is only single note gliss choose a note from the chord which most likely provides a leading role and start the gliss with it.  Ending on the final chord is more important than achieving all notes in the gliss.  The effect will still be there.

Practice with single note gliss.  Eg: C to C.  you should clearly hear articulated C's at the start and finish. 

[Bob]

Ok.  I messed around with glissando's today.

Ouch.

Ouch on the thumb and ouch on the pinky.  I'm using the nail but still... ouch.  I could feel things pulling in my hands from the digit that made contact with the keyboard.  Maybe I have weak fingers for glissandi?

I attempted to gliss with the thumb going down, with the pinky going up and vice-versa, going up/down an octave, on the white keys. 

Any more ideas?

[quantum]

Maybe try lightening your weight on the gliss.   Skim the keys lightly.  Also try to to have some amount of elasticity in your fingers so they somewhat cushion the impact. 

[pianistimo]

Gloves?  BTW, Bob - I love this question.

[quantum]

Gloves? 

First thing that popped into my mind was "Klavierstucke"

[Bob]

Gloves? BTW, Bob - I love this question.

Mmm.   (Bob does not know how to take that.)


(Bob realizes he's referring to himself in third person again.)


I didn't practice glissing today.  (hangs head in shame)  I need my hands in good shape.  The last time I seriously went after glissando's I remember thinking I was probably putting too much weight into it, not getting the nail on the key quite right.  Not mention swiss-chessing my hands on the piano.  Blood.  Yuck. 

I suppose I should go back to just gliss'ing with the thumbs and get that down.  Then the pinky by itself.  Then both together.  That sounds like a lot, but maybe.