Adnan Saygun Etude on Aksak Rhythm No 1 (VIDEO ADDED)

[can]

This is from a turkish composer Adnan Saygun "Etudes on Aksak Rhythms No 1" Its rhythm is 7/8 which gives its name "aksak". It is a very difficult etude (for me) and I know it is not complete and I have very much to do especially on octaves. I'm preparing it for a competition. I am studying it for one and a half month and I still have one month more. I really need your comments. Its rhythm can be a bit strange for you (it is based on a turkish folk song), so please also comment on what do you think about the etude.

[retrouvailles]

Nice to see some of his music here! I'm familiar with some of Saygun's piano music (including some pieces with aksak rhythms) and his piano concertos, but I haven't heard this piece of his before. I think it sounds quite good for a month's work. I think I know his language well enough, however, to say that some parts in the middle sound like they could use a bit more work in terms of clarity. Good luck!

[rachfan]

Hi can,

For such a month and a half's worth of work, you've brought this piece a long way.  This is the first time I've ever heard this etude.  It's certainly a brilliant and effective piece.  You bring much rhythmic drive and excitement to the music.  Where it's mostly percussive, you also treat the pedal selectively with care for the most part.  In the middle section you might want to be even more judicious with the pedal, given the passing and neighboring tones in the passage work there.  That should improve clarity.  On the scalar octaves, you may be shaking them out of the wrist which is good for staccato. But the flow of execution is not quite secure and polished yet. If you're playing them all with fingering 1-5, consider also using 1-4 and even 1-3 for the black notes.  We usually think of these fingerings in the context of connecting octave legato phrases, but they can also be very efficient in handling percussive nonlegato or staccato octaves as well.  On the descending octaves, in the right hand you might want to voice them with the thumb, and on the ascending ones with 5th (and 4th and 3rd if used). Good work.  You display much musicianship here.  Keep practicing!

    

[can]

thank you rachfan and retrouvailles for the comments. I already use 1-4 and sometimes 1-3 in the octaves. But it is still very difficult. I have to work more. Today I shot a video playing this etude. Thank you again for your encouraging comments.

[rachfan]

Hi can,

In the video, the octaves have improved, so keep at it.  If you still have difficulty, try these steps: 1) practice them slowly in altered rhythms, also very legato.  Using a different rhythm and touch better engraves the patterns more distinctly on the brain.  2) Play the RH ones in the LH.  Then play the LH ones in the RH, hands alone.  (This training of the opposite hand playing the passage imprints the learning on the brain and in the process teaches the proper hand how to do it better. And 3) do a drill of playing the octaves with your eyes closed.  If you can achieve that, then when you play with your eyes open, it will be much easier.  I hope this helps.