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Topic: Scherzo 3 - Chopin (Read 5168 times)

musicalita_23

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Scherzo 3 - Chopin

on: December 18, 2009, 03:14:35 AM

Okay so I just started working this piece (which I'm in love with by the way

)
The first big chord after the octave quadruplets, my hand is slightly too small to get the top notes in the L-H with my thumb. I was debating whether to play the bottom note first, then shift to the rest of the chord or play the bottom two notes then the rest of the chord, or what. I tried stretching exercises, which I had been doing for a week or so, but then I pulled a nerve, so that didn't work. My hand is better now though, but I still can't get that chord down properly.
Any suggestions?

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slow_concert_pianist

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Re: Scherzo 3 - Chopin

Reply #1 on: January 13, 2010, 04:53:55 AM

Use your thumb to play the upper 2 parts in the LH. You need to exercise the thumb maintain the strength to "grab" the chords. It will happen naturally. Don't 'overplay' it while you do not have the necessary finger strength.

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Currently rehearsing:

Chopin Ballades (all)
Rachmaninov prelude in Bb Op 23 No 2
Mozart A minor sonata K310
Prokofiev 2nd sonata
Bach WTCII no 6
Busoni tr Bach toccata in D minor

furtwaengler

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Re: Scherzo 3 - Chopin

Reply #2 on: January 13, 2010, 05:55:50 AM

Quote from: slow_concert_pianist on January 13, 2010, 04:53:55 AM

Use your thumb to play the upper 2 parts in the LH. You need to exercise the thumb maintain the strength to "grab" the chords. It will happen naturally. Don't 'overplay' it while you do not have the necessary finger strength.

If you read musicalita_23's message you'd know this is the very thing which was attempted and has been deemed physically impossible. I too have small hands, and it varies from piano to piano whether or not I can reach the notes. In a pinch I myself have made a sad compromise by leaving the top note off. If it was noticed nobody said anything, and indeed it did not come up in the thread where I posted a recording, though listening closely, it is indeed missed. https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=35692.0

Rudolf Serkin had an expression, "Every technical problem has a musical answer." Thus it may be better to go for an alternative solution much like Mikhail Pletnev's here:

Sorry it took a month for Pianostreet to respond.

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pianowolfi

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Re: Scherzo 3 - Chopin

Reply #3 on: January 13, 2010, 07:25:30 AM

Indeed, Pletnev's solution is good. I have read that Chopin himself actually couldn't reach that chord and rolled it.
I play both top notes with the thumb.

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birba

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Re: Scherzo 3 - Chopin

Reply #4 on: January 13, 2010, 09:51:25 AM

i would like to know how you can play a d sharp and b natural simultaneously with the thumb

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birba

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Posts: 3725

Re: Scherzo 3 - Chopin

Reply #5 on: January 13, 2010, 09:55:18 AM

i knew i was missing something. f sharp and d sharp. to be played with the thumb simultaneously. and believe it or not, i've played this piece...

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slow_concert_pianist

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Posts: 223

Re: Scherzo 3 - Chopin

Reply #6 on: January 15, 2010, 02:18:35 AM

Pletnev does it precisely as I do!! As I said you need a strong thumb to present the required even tone.

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Currently rehearsing:

Chopin Ballades (all)
Rachmaninov prelude in Bb Op 23 No 2
Mozart A minor sonata K310
Prokofiev 2nd sonata
Bach WTCII no 6
Busoni tr Bach toccata in D minor

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