Clueless regarding notation.

[jeronkey]

I'm currently attempting to learn the arrangement of Flight of the Bumblebee by Oborin. This part of the piece has me a little bit stumped. Can anyone clear up the notation that I've circled in red for me?

The bit that looks like " [ " is circled three times. What exactly does this symbol mean?

As to the "5 1" I've circled, I'm aware this has to do with what fingers I'm meant to be using. 1 should be thumb and 5 pinky on my right hand, right? Now. "5" should be on the E. What are they wanting me to hit with my thumb?



Sincere apologies for my lack of knowledge!

Regards
Jeronkey

[outin]

The symbol you've circled means you take the two notes with the same hand. I this case the upper note on the lower clef with right hand thumb. If I understood your question right?

[jeronkey]

Thank you SO much!

I'm pretty sure you correctly understood it.

If I may ask, though.. according to this list the [ symbol may also notate an arpeggio? Is this outdated notation? Or does it just depend on how it is marked on the music? (Do a search on that linked page for the word arpeggio. It should find the right part of the article.)

Could anyone clarify that?

At least now I know enough to continue with the piece. Thank you once again!

[outin]

If I may ask, though.. according to this list the [ symbol may also notate an arpeggio? Is this outdated notation? Or does it just depend on how it is marked on the music? (Do a search on that linked page for the word arpeggio. It should find the right part of the article.)

Could anyone clarify that?

It is not uncommon that notation marks mean different things in different music (especially from different era). You just need to use the context to find the right interpretation.

[outin]

It puzzled me a bit though... this piece is really difficult (grade 8 or something) so on that level I would assume you would have encountered these symbols many times?

[jeronkey]

Hehehe, I actually haven't.

I started piano lessons around 2008. My dad was good friends with a piano teacher and I started going once a week to him. I started at the very basics, and he didn't really teach me a whole lot of theory, although we did cover some of the stuff.

Due to school studies and other stuff (laziness, although I honestly did have quite a bit of studies. ), I slacked off.. and sadly last year my piano teacher died a little bit after suffering a stroke. The last few pieces he gave me were stuff like Rondo Alla Turca, Flight of the Bumblebee and Murder She Wrote. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, and I must admit I miss his guidance quite a bit.. being a bit clueless, it is hard to know where to begin. I figured he did give me the piece, so I might as well try it!

I think he partially gave it to humour me, as I had mentioned it to him the week before and how insane I thought it was after having watched someone (Maksim?) play it on youtube.

Thanks for the answer in regards to the different meanings of the symbol. I'll try to get used to interpreting them.

[outin]

OK...Just don't injure yourself with this one... I wouldn't dare trying

[jeronkey]

lol

There is a BIG different between playing something "slowly" and playing it "fast" , thankfully!

I'll be happy if I can at least play it through slowly. The start isn't too bad, besides the bits of the notation that got me. I think the speed will come eventually.. even if it takes a few years.

Do you have any tips for what I should be practising, working on, or any sources I could turn to, out of interest? Yup, I'm going off-topic here, so if I should start a new topic for this question. I will.

[outin]

There is a BIG different between playing something "slowly" and playing it "fast" , thankfully!

There is
I guess you've seen Yuja Wang's version:

Do you have any tips for what I should be practising, working on, or any sources I could turn to, out of interest? Yup, I'm going off-topic here, so if I should start a new topic for this question. I will.

Have you browsed through the sheet music section of this site? You can't print the sheets unless you pay, but you can search music with difficulty level and check difficulty gradings of pieces you like. Most of the sheet music is are also available free in imslp.org.

What pieces to play depends on what you like I guess