Crossing hands

[aaron_ginn]

About crossing hands: how do you know when it's appropriate or necessary?  Is there some visual cue in the score that should alert you to the need to cross hands?  I don't think I've played any pieces where a crossover is either necessary or desirable, but I don't know that it would ever even cross my mind to do so even if it was necessary.  Can anyone recommend an intermediate piece (grade 5 or 6) that demonstrates the need to cross hands?  Thanks.

[quantum]

There would usually be an indication in the score.  If there isn't, try playing it both ways non-crossed and crossed - one solution will be easier and it is wise to chose that one. 

In some pieces such as the Gigue of Bach Partita No.1 the crossing is obviously intended. 

Sometimes it is just easier to execute passages with crossed hands. 

[wotgoplunk]

Are you using ABRSM or RCM? I can think of a few Grieg. His Nocturne (Gr.5 ABRSM/9 RCM) uses a little bit of cross hand, as well as National Song, though that is more hands over top of each other. (Gr.3/6).  Le Petit Negre by Debussy uses a little (Gr.7/7). There is a Sonatina  by Clementi that uses it extensively, but I can't find the Opus No. , it is Gr. 4 RCM so may be too easy for you.

[pianistimo]

also, beethoven's sonata opus 79 in G major!  you will see in measure 59 the treble clef written in the bass clef.  that's an obvious crossover.  debussy/liszt/chopin/ravel can be sneakier.

[counterpoint]

Bach Gigue from Partita No.1

[pianowelsh]

I make students play chromatics scales with crossed hands in their first year of piano - to nail their fingering.  they are not allowed to watch their hands either!! - Im evil

[quantum]

I make students play chromatics scales with crossed hands in their first year of piano - to nail their fingering.  they are not allowed to watch their hands either!! - Im evil

You mean 1 note per hand per cross? Or divided into groupings with several notes per hand before the cross? 

[ganymed]

As far as I can remember Bach Sinfonia No 15 in B minor has hand-crossing where its absolutely necessary, but during Bach's time the Cembali had 2 manuals which made it easier to play.

[pianowelsh]

I mean up and down 2-3 octaves with the right hand playing an octave lower than the LH. I do a trill exercise based on an octave where by they alternate hands up and down the keyboard...eventually without watching their hands!!!

[rc]

I was just flipping through last night and remembered two good pieces for hand crossing:

Haydn Sonata in Eb, HobXVI:49 (L.59):  Adagio cantabile - has some hand crossing bars 57-66

Beethoven Sonata in C, Op.2 no3:  Adagio - right away in this one, hand crossing section starts at bar 11 and appears pretty much throughout.  This one might be tough, but I think with some patience would be possible.

If you're just exploring some examples of hand crossing, I don't think the piano gods would get angry if you learn some of these sections and leave the rest of the piece for later...