How to read three-staff (Sorabji) scores?

[mephisto]

Hello.

I just tried to play around with Sorabji's "Pastiche on the Hindu Merchant's Song - Rimsky-Korsakow". My biggest problem is that I have no idea wich hand is to supposed to play on wich staff. The top staff is most likely for the right hand, and the bottom-staff is most likely for the left. But what about the middle staff. Am I just supposed to try that out for my self? Or is there any rules?

Thanks in advance.


Ps: This is not just about Sorabji, but about all composers who write music on more than two staves without pointing out wich arm should go where.

[Kassaa]

Your nose.

[mephisto]

Am I supposed to smell it!?

[jakev2.0]

Use your arms Pollini-style.  It's Sorabji - no-one will notice.

[mephisto]

Actually unlike compositions by the  likes of Scriabin and Debussy, this piece is tonal.

[rob47]

meph

when a composer more than two staves is not to make it more difficult for you but to facilitate the reading and learning process right? think if opus c. was written on one staff...it would be near impossible to learn in a lifetime. Yes you have to decide which hand plays what just like other difficult pieces. I think you should look at

1. where you're hands are coming from and where they would need to go

2. I think which ever melodic/rythmic/etc. idea is most important to you would be your guide in finding out the best way to coherently execute your chosen idea. possibly.

ask on tha sdc i will possibly be able to express myself better. 

[rob47]

possibly that is a load of pedantic babble also I'm not shor

[jakev2.0]

HAHHA da Kawasaki masterpiece. 

[mikey6]

Liszt used to define which hand played which by the direction of the stems - up=Rh, down=LH.  I don't know if any body else follows this rule though.

[nicco]

Use whatever suits you and causes the minst mulig technical difficulties.

[mephisto]

Thanks. I will probably not be able to play this particular piece, but I just wanted to try it out.

So whatever causes minst mulig tekniske vanskeligheter would be the best for meg.

[lostinidlewonder]

From the Sorabji I have played I find that his editions do not take time to make it easy on the pianist to determine which hand does what. But the music is clearly defined, that is the bodies of sound that are being used, that is clearly seperated. If you are at the standard of Sorabji you should have a good sense of your own hand and know the most effortless path through his music. If you posted an extract of what is troubling you then I am sure some ideas will be suggested.

[minor9th]

meph

when a composer more than two staves is not to make it more difficult for you but to facilitate the reading and learning process right? think if opus c. was written on one staff...it would be near impossible to learn in a lifetime. Yes you have to decide which hand plays what just like other difficult pieces. I think you should look at

1. where you're hands are coming from and where they would need to go

2. I think which ever melodic/rythmic/etc. idea is most important to you would be your guide in finding out the best way to coherently execute your chosen idea. possibly.

ask on tha sdc i will possibly be able to express myself better. 

Yikes...what piece is this???

[jre58591]

that is a piece by rob kawasaki, a very well respected composer.

[rob47]

that is a piece by rob kawasaki, a very well respected respect-d composer.

i corrected it.  ahhaha jre also a well respected connoisseur of wikidness yourself

[jre58591]

hahaha respect da rob.

meph, maybee post a sample of what youre having trouble with. perhaps we can help you better.