Playing Single Bass Notes as Octaves

[alzado]

Generally I will do this only on certain pieces, and only in the bass. 

I am playing a transcription of the operatta "The Merry Widow" at present.    I tend to play the single bass notes as octaves.  I just like the way they sound.  They seem to give more resonance and timbre to the bass.  One must refrain from doing this in individual measures where judgment shows it to be  . . .  too bass-y.

I have added octaves for single notes with some popular music, such as "Full Moon and Empty Arms."

My piano teacher says, "I know you like to do that."  I asked her straight out if it was a "no-no."  "Not necessarily," she said.  "It sounds kind of nice, actually."

I can't remember having done this with classical music.  Oh, wait a minute -- I did it with a simplified arrangement of "Pictures at an Exhibition."

The original score of "Pictures" hardly needs it -- there are almost more big chords than one can reach.

Does anyone else do this?

[xvimbi]

Things like that are very common in (modern interpretations of) Baroque and Classical pieces. You'd be amazed what Schiff does to Mozart sonatas. In the olden days, embellishments like that were expected from the performer. Playing octaves is probably the most "harmless", i.e. least aggressive, way of modifying a piece. You could certainly be a lot wilder.

[ted]

I always play octaves or tenths instead of single notes in ragtime, stride and swing - unless of course a really light sound is needed. The surprising fact is that they are easier and the hand seems better balanced somehow.