Perhaps times have changed?

[willmillar27]

Hello,

Those veteran members may have read a post similar to this some time ago, but I was unaware of how to load up an image. Now I can I wonder if anyone knows the correct name/term and or technique for the following excerpt.

Sorry for the poor quality photograph!!

Will

[jre58591]

i believe it is called interlocking chords. not entirely sure though.

[ramseytheii]

Is this a trick question, or do you not know the answer yourself?  Is there really one such name?  perhaps one can just call it alternating hands, or alternating chords, or as the Germans say, Blitzakkorden.  This is a favorite technique of Rachmaninoff's and he uses it in many, many pieces.

Walter Ramsey

[jre58591]

btw, that looks like the end of rach's paganini rhapsody. is it?

also, is there really a technical name for this? its bothered me for some time also.

[m]

Martellato

[jre58591]

Martellato

doesnt martellato just mean hammered out? you can have a passage not like this that is martellato.

[willmillar27]

Hello Everybody,

I wasn't expecting so many responses so soon!

No, It's not a trick question, and yes it is the penultimate 12 and 13 bars of Paganini Rhapsody.

I find it very difficult to maintain speed and accuracy as well as equality between the chords. You see Pletnev or Hough do it so quickly and effortlessly that it winds me up!!

Any suggestions?

Many Thanks

Will

[counterpoint]

You could practise it in different variations (play chords of RH and LH together, play with different accents - in triplets for example, or in punctuated rhythm)

And as ever: practise slowly, with relaxed muscles, moving only the forearms slightly up and down.

[iumonito]

Hello Everybody,

I wasn't expecting so many responses so soon!

No, It's not a trick question, and yes it is the penultimate 12 and 13 bars of Paganini Rhapsody.

I find it very difficult to maintain speed and accuracy as well as equality between the chords. You see Pletnev or Hough do it so quickly and effortlessly that it winds me up!!

Any suggestions?

Many Thanks

Will

They do it so effortlessly, I think, for the following reason.  Follow the reasoning in your practice and it should be easy for you too.

1)  From one chord to the next, thier hands shape the chord automatically.
2)  The melodic line in which the chords move is very clear to them.  La fa mi do, si la fa mi, etc.
3) they do not get further away from the keyboard than strictly necessary, although volume may require some distance.
4) they keep their balance without thinking about it.

[ramseytheii]

You have an advantage, because you have recordings which tell you exactly how it should sound, and not only that but you can hear it!

So you can practice this passage in Stages, that is, first play just two chords and play them over and over again until you get the brilliance and evenness that you want.  Then add another two chords, and do the same.  Repeat until you have mastered the passage.

The important thing here is to visualize playing the chords before you actually do, and also, before you start, give yourself an upbeat, so your body is in the rhythm and relaxed.  You can relax a lot easier, be relieved, if you know you only have to play two chords.

Walter Ramsey

[willmillar27]

Thanks everyone,

That's great advice, I'll practice when I'm next off work.

Anymore suggestions very welcome

Many Thanks

Will