Advice on offset notes please!

[muleski]

Hi everyone,

I've decided to take a break from learning my main piece.  Not that I haven't been learning anything else, but I've concentrated primarily on one piece pretty much for a whole year and now I've decided to have a break from it (even though it's yet to be completed).  Psychologically, it's been my nemesis all that time, so I feel a break is necessary. 

I've decided to go for Lizst Consolation No.3, which I thought would be something of a contrast to what I've been doing.  I'm actually finding it quite difficult, because of the different timings & offset notes between the left & right hand.  I've already done something similar with Rachmaninov's 'Fragments' (not that I finished learning that either), but it takes me an awful lot longer to learn these types of pieces - I do realise however that I said I've taken a whole year to not completely learn another piece!  What I mean to say is the piece I've spent a year on, has take me that long because 1) it's a very difficult piece & 2) I don't have much time or peace to practise. 

Sorry for the long winded question, which essentially is this:  are there any methodological tips for learning pieces where each hand seemingly has to act independently in terms of timing?

Thanks for reading my waffle!

[awesom_o]

Sorry for the long winded question, which essentially is this:  are there any methodological tips for learning pieces where each hand seemingly has to act independently in terms of timing?

Absolutely!

You must realize that the word 'seemingly' has no place in your question.

To be a good pianist, your hands actually have to act independently of each other. They don't seemingly act independently. They either act independently, or your hand independence is very poor and needs a good deal of work.

The best way to work on your hand independence is to study juggling, and learn to write and draw with both hands.

In the context of practicing the piano, the best thing to work on is playing one hand at a time while relaxing the other hand by your side. Sing the part that the relaxing hand would normally play with a strong, clear voice and accurate intonation. 

Good luck in your studies!

[j_menz]

They're not "offset notes", it's a polyrhythm. That is, the rhythm is different in each hand.  Do a forum search on the term and you'll find plenty of tips.

[muleski]

Thanks for the replies - j_menz, I knew there must be a proper term for them, my theory knowledge is less than even OK I'd say... 

Cheers