legato thirds?

[Bob]

How do you play super smooth, legato thirds?

Hold down the thumb a little longer?

Use the pedal?  I'm thinking in terms of without the pedal though.

I can't get smoothness in the part where my hand has to change positions.  I remember a teacher saying it was impossible and that you have to hold your thumb down as long as possible.  In that way, it's not a true legato, but it almost sounds that way.

[steinwayguy]

well you need to have the outside notes fingered legato 3-4-5  etc. The thumb requires an "even tone" as described by Cortot and Abbey Whiteside. An even tone gives the illusion of legato playing. I don't think "holding your thumb down longer" would do too much good if you're playing at a quick tempo. If slow, ok, yeah. but still. even tone.

[xvimbi]

In extension to what SteinwayGuy said, it is often enough to play only one note of a chord legato to give the illusion of legato. It is usually the top note. This applies to two-note chords such as thirds or octaves, as well as triads and more complicated chords.