How to play these compound notes legato?

[casparma]

On RH,

b and d, (finger 1 and 3), c# and e (finger 2 and 4), d and f# (finger 3 and 5).


Unlike d major scale, it's easy to play these types of compound notes on C scale without any black keys involved....


but I find I dont connect those compound notes, but I instead I make a very little jump so I my next fingerings fit in the next set of keys during the transition between these compound notes indicated at the top.

Does any one have any suggestion on playing these compound notes in legato at a reasonable speed (like 140 quarter notes per minute) without any break?



thanks

[casparma]

btw, I dont know whether "compound note" is a correct term to describe what I mean...

but, for example, when I say, play "b and d (finger 1 and 3)", I mean to play both notes simultaneously.....


thanks in advance for any response

[cjp_piano]

 Perhaps you need to be further in towards the fallboard where the black keys are already under your fingers so you don't have to "change position" when you get to C# E  or D F#.

Also, roll your wrist up as you go from 1,3 to 2,4 to 3,5.

[teresa_b]

I agree with the wrist coming up especially as you go from the C#-E to the D-F#.

You may also want to practice just legato 1-2-3 on B-C#-E, and then legato 3-4-5 on D-E-F#.  Then slowly play them together legato, then work up to the tempo you want. 

Have fun--
Teresa

[ted]

Physical legato or aural legato ? I haven't seen it discussed explicitly but I think many people confuse these two. Record yourself playing the figures using various techniques and see what differences you actually hear. I find that everything starts to sound smooth at higher speeds anyway. Provided my finger work is clean it often matters little whether I jump or connect physically. Lower speeds, I find, align physical and aural sensations more closely, and therefore require more care.

This is just what I have found over the years; I have never been taught any of these things. However, I found out the hard way that it is possible to beaver away for ages with things like double notes, trying to get physical sensations perfect only to find that the aural result remains largely unaffected and I have spent much time and energy to no good end. 

[casparma]

thanks terresa and cjp_piano for the tip...

However, for playing from 2&4 to 3&5 compound notes, I always strike 3rd (middle) finger first before hitting, instead of both simultaneously.....

Any one can help me here?

[jlh]

Some finger independance excercises may help you. 

Example: 

Put all fingers on the notes you will be playing (all 5 fingers in this case), then, keeping fingers 2, 4 and 5 on the keys, lift up fingers 3 and 5 in a high arc.  Hold the position until you've thought about what you're doing next - that is, using a fast and even motion, thrust the 1 and 3 fingers into the b and d notes. 

Be careful not to move the other fingers and practice this until you play both notes evenly and with ease. 

Do the same with the other combinations of 2/4 and also 3/5. 

If you don't hit the notes at the same time with both fingers, try it again until you do it right.  Always lift the fingers high before striking. 

When you eventually put it together in the context of whatever it is you're trying to do with these notes, you won't lift the fingers nearly as much as in this excercise -- but to promote finger coordination it is important to exaggerate all motions.

[gilad]

try keep your hand relaxed, i know i developed tension when playing the same pattern and it got better with the tips above and a relaxed hand.

[alzado]

This would make more sense to me if I could SEE what you are talking about.

Your verbal description just isn't enough for me to visualize it.

[abell88]

However, for playing from 2&4 to 3&5 compound notes, I always strike 3rd (middle) finger first before hitting, instead of both simultaneously.....

Sometimes angling your hand slightly towards the note that's late will help...in this case, learn your hand to the right a little so finger 5 has a chance to hit at the same time as 3.