Playing one note very rapidly with one hand

[aquariuswb]

In Gottschalk's "The Banjo," the part where the right hand plays the cool melody way high up starts with one note being played rapidly about 4 or 5 times in a row. What is the preferred method for building up this technique? What I mean is, if I wanted to play, say, Middle C multiple times as fast as I could with one hand, how should I go about doing that? Would you suggest a fingering like 2-3-4-5-4-3-2-3-4-5 etc.? or maybe just two fingers? Thanks in advance.

[thierry13]

I would sugget 4-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-4-3-2-1 allways for white keys, 4-3-2 on black keys if you care about not putting a thumb on a black key, if you don't care play it 3-2-1. I suggest allways going in this way playing repeated note : 3-2-1-3-2-1 , and never 1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3.... I find the second way too slow and effective...

[cellodude]

I have not seen the score for 'The Banjo' but I am aware of at least one other way to attack repeated notes quickly.

Use the thumb and either the second or third finger to form a sharp pointed oval shape. The tip of the thumb should press against the fleshy part of the second or third finger. You know how kids like to make shadows of animals with their hands? Well, we're trying to make a bird here and the thumb and finger forms a beak.

The thumb is used to support the finger and doesn't hit the key. The action we're trying to get is like a pecking action. Imagine a woodpecker trying to make a hole in the key. You shouldn't just use your wrist or you'll tire quickly. Use your wrist, forearm and upper arm as well using your shoulder for balance and strength.

I found this in an old, old version of LVB's 32 sonata book. I forget the publisher as the book is not mine. This is the recommended attack for the repeated notes in the Appasionata.

TTFN (Ta Ta For Now),

dennis lee

[willcowskitz]

For 5 notes in a row I would probably use 12323.

For other occurences, well it depends a lot on the structure of the melody. Just make sure you end up on the thumb if the melody continues higher.