Octaves!

[ThEmUsIcMaNBJ]

What's a good way to practice them?  I'm specifically having problems with the 3rd movement of Beethovens Moonlight Sonata Op.27 no.2....  and meausures 49-52, 143-146...  and especially 175 and 176.  I can play them no problem just at any type of speed anywhere near the right speed is just not happening...  It's not necassarily the close octaves but the big jumps (from the e's the the higher c#'s).....  I can get the ocatave alone it has nothing to do with handspan it's just hitting the big jump without splatting it...?  if you know what I mean...  Not quite getting to those C#'s or whatever.  I've practiced them slow for hours....... I just don't seem to be getting anywhere.......  Any advice?  Practice tips, suggestions?

[frederic]

There is a way which is very efficient.  Play just the bottom note of the octaves with, if it was your left hand, your little finger. Practice all the octaves just like this. This lets your little finger know the jumps without the help of your thumb. Now do the opposite with just the thumb on the top. After you've done that, do your right hand. This does not have to be in your piece, Practice octave argeggios the same way. Also scales.

[davy10tunes]

First of all play it slowly and pay close attention to what you do in between the jump.Make sure your hand stays close to the keys and does not move in an arch shape.
Next play the e octave then slowly move your hand into position covering the c#(but DON'T play it!) all the time be aware of how your hand is moving.Once you've got the correct movement just practice playing the bottom octave and moving into position(covering the next octave without playing it ) with increasing speed.Once you can get to the c# octave quickly with precision, then you can play it.The ultimate aim of playing any jump is to arrive at the notes before you have to play them and not just on time.I also do something very simillar to what frederic has said.Hope this has helped.

David

[jdskee]

I had a similar problem playing the Scriabin Op8No12 etude. What my teacher told me was to think like I had all the time in the world when I had an octave leap in the RH, and it actually works for me. Somehow, the way my brain is wired, when I 'think' I have to be quick it either a) slows me down, or b) sounds tight and terrible because in both cases Ive noticed my muscles tense up due to my thinking that I have to be quick and accurate. Compare this with the LH in that etude that jumps all over the place, it seems, for me, easier to play than the RH, but Im also not focused on it. Note that the etude itself is very difficult anyway!

I hate to say this because I hate to hear it myself, but slow practice really does help. The patterns of movement get etched into your brain when you go slow, and when you bring up tempo, playing becomes partly subconcious and things overall are easier. Another thing I found that helps (again from my current teacher) is to memorize as soon as possible, even if you are still at 40BPM. That way you can turn your eyes to your hands and watch what they are doing. Since you are memorizing at such a slow tempo, more note memory is included than just straight muscle memory which can be a disaster if your muscles forget in the middle of a performance.

The second she said "dont rush just play it, you have plenty of time" it was amazing how much easier that etude was to play, especially at faster tempos, and how much better it sounded, all because I wasnt overly focused on my RH, which in turn allowed me to focus on the piece itself. Maybe this will help you with the Moonlight.