LEGATO thirds

[stormx]

Hi,

I have problems playing LEGATO thirds 
More precisely, i have troubles when passing from RH (2-4) to (3-5) fingers (same problem with LH, of course).

Example:
(2-4) play CE (as a 2 note chord) and then (3-5) play DF, but with a nice LEGATO.
The inverse is troublesome too (that is, from 3-5 to 2-4).

The main problem seems to be that the 2 note chord with fingers 3-5 sounds uneven, because the 3° finger note is played slighty before the other.

I beleive this is a common beginner problem (just 13 months playing). Is it?

Any suggestions, besides keep on practicing?


Thanks in advance for your help

[quantum]

First practice detached thirds with those fingerings, but concentrate on hitting notes simultaneously.  Articulate finger movements and concentrate on a firm finger attack.  It may be helpful to approach the attack by not having fingers touching key surface at first - in other words have fingers slighltly above keys when you begin to approch the attack. 

With regards to legato, both fingers do not need to be legato in order to produce legato thirds.  At minimum you should have one connceting note between the thirds to make it sound legato.  This is useful for more complex third fingerings.  But in the case of 2-4, 3-5 it should be possible to make all fingers move legato. 

[aragonaise]

Two approach to solve this problem. Firstly, your brain is not used to the movement.

practice tapping your fingers away from the piano.
aim for speed, like semiquavers of (C-E), (D-F) in 100bmp.

when tapping so fast, make sure you don't contort your hand and do unnecesary strains. Movement should be slight, but fast.

Secondly, the muscles in your fingers, especially the 4th, are weak. Try holding D and F with 3-5 fingering, then raise your 4th finger as high as possible, then hit the note E. Repeat until you find it comfortable.