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How to play escales in Chopin's nocturne?

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2016 11:17 pm
by burgmuller
Hi everyone
I'm studying the Nocturne n 20 op posth. by Chopin. I'm having problems with de fast escale that goes almost at the end of the nocturne.
The problem is not much the speed as the way it should sound. I'm changin rithms, playing 2, 4, 6 notes... The pass of the thumb and so, but still not working, unfortunately. It's as if my fingers didnt know the meaning of the scale, like if they were lost. Any suggestions, please? thank you in advance!

Re: How to play escales in Chopin nocturne?

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 12:26 am
by fredbucket
I'm no expert, of course, but I play the first as 3-5-5-5(=18), the third as 3-3-3-2(11) and the fourth as 3-4-3-3(13).

The tricky one is the second, which I play somewhat ad-lib with the left hand ahead (mathematically) of the scale.

Just for fun, I'm including a recording I made some years ago.
Chopin - Nocturne in C# minor Op Post.mp3
The fingering? Standard E-major scale as much as possible.

Regards
Fred

Re: How to play escales in Chopin nocturne?

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 1:33 pm
by burgmuller
Beautiful Fred, thank you very much.
The thing is the mechanic of the arm, I think that part is the one I dont understand. Do you think that only practising escales I can reach the speed needed?

Re: How to play escales in Chopin nocturne?

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 10:17 pm
by fredbucket
Certainly practising the scale will help, but best done in the context of the piece. There are others in this forum who are much better qualified than I am on these topics, but I always try to keep the arm still (vertically) as it moves (horizontally).

I hope this helps.

Regards
Fred

Re: How to play escales in Chopin nocturne?

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 7:16 pm
by burgmuller
Do you mean the wrist higher than the fingers?

Re: How to play escales in Chopin nocturne?

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 10:36 pm
by fredbucket
Whichever feels comfortable and natural for you.

Regards
Fred

Re: How to play escales in Chopin nocturne?

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:49 pm
by burgmuller
Ok, Thank you very much, Fredbucket
Regards