Triplets

[stormx]

Any mental trick to go back and forth from "1/8 triplets" to "1/8 regular notes" and not losing the tempo?

This is the main difficulty i am facing in LvB Op.49 nš2, first movement.

Thanks

[amanfang]

I use 2 methods, usually together.

1.  Use measured syllable words.  For example, use "straw-ber-ry for the triplets and ap-ple for the eighth notes.  Start by just saying them while tapping a steady beat.

2.  Once you have that down, use a metronome.  Say the words in time with the metronome as you play them.  That helps me (and my students!) a lot.

[shaunarundell]

Boy do I understand what you are asking - I have spent what seems like a 1/3 of my life on Op 49 No 2 (really just a few months).

The intermixing of quavers and triplets is one of the main challenges of this piece. Its also its main attraction. Spend some time listening to Schiff, Arrau, BarenBoim, Gilels or any of the great recordings of this piece and you will hear how they bring out the triplets beat.

Basically you have to count

1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and --- for the quavers and
1 and a 2 and a 3 and 4 and a --- for the triplets

Some tips

1. How fast you play the triplets defines your speed for the rest of the piece
2. Don't rush, take your time with all the ascending and descending scales
3. Master both hands independently - get the rhythm right HS first
4. realize that the individual notes in the 2 quavers are a fair bit slower then the notes in the 3 triplets (much more that they feel) and you just got to work at it until you fell it

Get a even constant rhythm throughout the entire piece - fell the beat inside

But on the plus side, the 2 and 3s are usually in separate bars and they are no 2 against 3 or visa vesa between the left and right hands

shaun