Learning large chords

[tommichie321]

Im currently learning Debussy's 'The Sunken Cathedral'. Most of the piece is okay to play, but the big chords are giving me grief, as I have relatively small hands. I know I can Arpeggiate them a little bit, but has anyone got any other tips on getting to grips with them?

Also, the flottant et sourd passage (I think it starts around b. 72): any advice on fingering? 5 3 2 1, or 5 2 1 1, using the thumb for both the C and D? This eliminates the huge stretch between 5 and 3, but means I have to play 3 notes in a row with the thumb?

Any thoughts?
Cheers

[brogers70]

I don't know if this will be helpful, but my teacher suggested this. As soon as you lift your hand away from one large chord, position your fingers as you will need them for the next one. That means, do not lift your hand from the chord, move your arm to the new position where the next chord is, and then position your fingers and play. Instead, think of the position of the fingers required for the next chord and get them in that position immediately as you lift off from the previous chord. This both makes for more efficient movement and forces you to think ahead. Good luck, it's a beautiful piece, isn't it?

[quantum]

As soon as you lift your hand away from one large chord, position your fingers as you will need them for the next one. That means, do not lift your hand from the chord, move your arm to the new position where the next chord is, and then position your fingers and play. Instead, think of the position of the fingers required for the next chord and get them in that position immediately as you lift off from the previous chord. This both makes for more efficient movement and forces you to think ahead.

Excellent advice.  I would also suggest the same.

[tommichie321]

Thanks very much, I'll give that a try

It really is beautiful! One of my favourite pieces.

Thanks again