reach question in Wedding Day at Troldhaugen

[jamom13]

I am a woman with small hands.  I want to play this piece, but I cannot reach the repeated chord e-flat/ b-flat/f in the bass around measure 40 (and later when it reprises).  Seems too fast to roll, but just leaving out the f is such a shame.  How do you play this if you can't reach it?

[mikeowski]

Well, you mentioned both of your options already. Rolling or leaving the top note out. I don't see why it shouldn't be roll-able, but in the worst case scenario, leaving out the top note shouldn't really do much harm if there's no other way. Also, it's a middle voice, thus less important.
Better you get the measure to sound good with one note missing rather than bad (or not at all lol) with all the notes there.

[perfect_pitch]

I'd say - roll the chord. Personally I'd say it's cheating to just leave notes out.

[invictious]

I'd say - roll the chord. Personally I'd say it's cheating to just leave notes out.

Personally I'd say with that approach you are going to have nothing but a world of pain and frustration with that Petrushka

[mikeowski]

Cheat as much as you want if the outcome is satisfying I say.
That only applies though if rolling is completely out of the picture.

[perfect_pitch]

Personally I'd say with that approach you are going to have nothing but a world of pain and frustration with that Petrushka

Frustration - yes, Pain - no.

And I didn't let the large chords stop me learning it... that's my point. Don't let something like large chords affect the way you play. If it's a little hard - rise to the challenge.

[j_menz]

If you can't reach, roll. IMO, leaving notes out is a very last resort and is neither necessary or desirable in this instance.

If you have small hands, you need to be a better roller, so take the time here to practice it.