Short 3-4 Trills

[veryangrystorks]

I am playing a Scarlatti sonata (K 481, L 187), and there are numerous short trills throughout.  These trills are marked to be played with fingers 3 and 4.  I will not dispute this-- it seems logical enough.  The problem is how to practice them. 

I have only played one other piece that involved a 3-4 trill, and that trill came pretty naturally (it was a trill between a black and a white key, so it was easier for me).  The trill in the sonata with which I am having problems is between G-natural and F-natural.  It is a four-note trill going "G-F-G-F."  I can't play it with steady rhythm or clarity, and it sounds extremely rushed.

Is there any way to correctly practice short 3-4 trills so that they are clear and precise?

[ehpianist]

I do 3-4 trills as 3-5 whenever possible. Much crisper, especially for scarlatti.

Elena
https://www.pianofourhands.com
 

[jlh]

I'm not familiar with this one just by looking at the catalog numbers.  I do know that some Scarlatti sonatas involve holding a note with the thumb, another with the 5th finger, and playing a 2-3 or 3-4 trill in the middle.

Is this one of those places?  If not, try Elena's fingering and see if it works.

[veryangrystorks]

I tried Elena's 3-5 fingering, and I couldn't do it.  In fact, I tried it several times, just to make sure, and it didn't work for me.  Thanks for the advice, though, Elena.

Jih- This sonata is not "one of those."  A note is struck, released, and then the trill starts.  There are no held notes.

[ahmedito]

3-4 trills come very naturally to me, actually I have a severe problem with 2-3 trills which are supposed to be the easiest. I tend to do 1-2. 1-3, 1-2-3 or 3-4... the 3-5 trill I use to substute 4-5 whenever possible.