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Topic: Small hands, large chords (Read 2329 times)

piano_61

PS Silver Member
Newbie
Posts: 3

Small hands, large chords

on: August 30, 2012, 10:23:08 AM

I am working to grade 8 ABRSM which I hope to take within a year. Some of the pieces have large chords - well over an octave which I have to break in order to play. What is the general feeling about doing this? I have been told in the past that candidates should chose pieces within their scope but this seems a little unfair and limiting to players without huge hands!

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jugular

PS Silver Member
Jr. Member
Posts: 47

Re: Small hands, large chords

Reply #1 on: August 30, 2012, 05:23:38 PM

Depending on the context of the piece, most big chords with large intervals between notes can simply be played as a glissando. If it's something like Rach's Prelude Op 23. #5, which is constant big chords being played at a relatively fast tempo, then you'll have to really work on stretching your fingers to hit the chords.