Contradextrous
Thursday 10th January
So… the piano-playing is going well. I’m quite amazed how well I’ve picked it up again after so long without touching a keyboard.
However, yesterday, I came across something I’ve never had to do before. Well, actually I came across something a little while back which took me… well, aback… it turned out to be portato - a simple technique which simply requires knowing it exists, and a careful touch.
Anyway, I digress… the thing I came across yesterday is way harder to deal with. I’ve reached page two of Debussy’s Rêverie, and that’s the part where the right hand fills in twinkly bits while the left hand plays the melody. I’ve never had to do that before.
My hands can play the same volume, and my right hand can play louder, but to make the right hand subordinate while the left plays louder… well that really hurts my head.
To be fair, the whole piece is a bit of a left-hand-fest - throughout most of it, the right plays a pretty simple, slow melody while the left is running up and down the keyboard, so I guess I shouldn’t really be surprised.
It’s going to be hard work, but it’ll be worth it. Oh yes… it’ll be worth it.
Incidentally… the bit in question sounds like this.
I’ve been practising the piano too…
I can play merrily we roll along with chords now!
Alistair
10 Jan 08 at 12:05 pm
That’s very good, Alistair. We all have to start somewhere
stu
10 Jan 08 at 12:07 pm
I miss playing the piano. It kept me (relatively) sane throughout my degree. I can only play when I’m at Sam’s house now. One day, I’ll buy a proper piano, and a house with room for one.
Fluffy
10 Jan 08 at 12:18 pm
You could always go round the back of the piano for that bit and play it over the top, with the hands reversed (unless it’s a grand piano, in which case your arms might not be long enough).
SimonG
10 Jan 08 at 12:46 pm
You know, Simon… that’s a great idea.
stu
10 Jan 08 at 1:51 pm
Congenital idiot, though!
lordhutton
10 Jan 08 at 6:24 pm
Yummy. Portatoes.
Rich
11 Jan 08 at 7:05 am
You say port-ah-to, I say port-ay-to… let’s call the whole thing off.
stu
11 Jan 08 at 9:28 am
You’re just building up an excuse to get a new organ, aren’t you?
:p
Omally
23 Jan 08 at 10:54 pm