How to play a broken chord.

[ttttrigg3r]

At the beginning of the second line, there is a squiggly line that means play as broken chord that applies to both the treble and bass staff. How should I play those two chords? Do I play notes individually starting from leftmost note to right most note or should I play both hands at the same time and line up the bass notes with the treble notes?

[carl_h]

When there is 1 squiggly line for both clefs, you start on the bottom note all the way the top. When there is 1 squiggly line on each clef, you start them both at the same time.

Grts,

[j_menz]

Occasionally there will also be an arrow beside the squiggly line (does it have a name?) indicating that it is to be played from top to bottom instead.

[louispodesta]

At the beginning of the second line, there is a squiggly line that means play as broken chord that applies to both the treble and bass staff. How should I play those two chords? Do I play notes individually starting from leftmost note to right most note or should I play both hands at the same time and line up the bass notes with the treble notes?

Thank you for your insightful question.  Most pianists are afraid or ashamed to ask.

First, pianists from the pre-Baroque era to the Post Romanticists (R. Levin, Harvard,) regularly rolled their chords (when appropriate) as an expressive device.

Secondly, as stated by my colleague, Dr. Neal Peres Da Costa of the Sydney Conservatorium, the wavy lines in front of a particular chord or chords was designed to effectuate a very wide roll.

Finally, I leave you with a link to the Youtube version of my news story, related to my thesis on this matter.  If you desire a synopsis of the entire story, I can do that in an additional post.

Thanks.

[ttttrigg3r]

Thanks for all the answers.
Louis that video blew my mind. That video made a lot of sense. I wonder if the students of those great composers taught their students and so on and so on, where did those broken chords become block chords all of a sudden? A change in style in one of the decades maybe?

[ttttrigg3r]

Also while I have your attention on broken chords, what do you think of this chord I've circled in the sheet attached. It's the same chord, one played as broken.  The second time it's played as a block chord.  However it's longer than my fingers can reach. I can't hit the C and E at the same time. What do you suggest when I come across a situation like this?

[j_menz]

Roll it.

But make it a much shorter, less leisurely roll than the marked ones.

There's also sometimes the option to redistribute notes between the hands, but (and your gif is remarkably unclear, making this somewhat speculative) it seems that that is not likely to be achievable here.

[quantum]

Also while I have your attention on broken chords, what do you think of this chord I've circled in the sheet attached. It's the same chord, one played as broken.  The second time it's played as a block chord.  However it's longer than my fingers can reach. I can't hit the C and E at the same time. What do you suggest when I come across a situation like this?

The other option to rolling is to break the chord.  Play C-G as if it were a acciaccatura, with the E on the beat.  Whether you choose to roll or break, it is your decision. 

[louispodesta]

Thanks for all the answers.
Louis that video blew my mind. That video made a lot of sense. I wonder if the students of those great composers taught their students and so on and so on, where did those broken chords become block chords all of a sudden? A change in style in one of the decades maybe?

I have tried unsuccessfully to send you a PM.  Please send me one with your email, if you would like to peruse my research on this subject.

It is very detailed and will answer your questions on this most important matter.

Thanks for your kind words.

[louispodesta]

Also while I have your attention on broken chords, what do you think of this chord I've circled in the sheet attached. It's the same chord, one played as broken.  The second time it's played as a block chord.  However it's longer than my fingers can reach. I can't hit the C and E at the same time. What do you suggest when I come across a situation like this?

Play it with the fingering five, three, one, and roll it.  That is what the rest of the world does, if they are being truthful.

The emphasis should be on the soprano melodic line and the not the underlying harmony, which is the actual purpose of the chord.

[pianoplunker]

Also while I have your attention on broken chords, what do you think of this chord I've circled in the sheet attached. It's the same chord, one played as broken.  The second time it's played as a block chord.  However it's longer than my fingers can reach. I can't hit the C and E at the same time. What do you suggest when I come across a situation like this?

I would play the second one as a roll just like the first. It could be a typo that a second roll is not indicated.