How to play escales in Chopin's nocturne?

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burgmuller
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How to play escales in Chopin's nocturne?

Post 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!
Last edited by burgmuller on Mon Dec 26, 2016 1:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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fredbucket
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Re: How to play escales in Chopin nocturne?

Post 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
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burgmuller
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Re: How to play escales in Chopin nocturne?

Post 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?
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Re: How to play escales in Chopin nocturne?

Post 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.

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Fred
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Re: How to play escales in Chopin nocturne?

Post by burgmuller »

Do you mean the wrist higher than the fingers?
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Re: How to play escales in Chopin nocturne?

Post by fredbucket »

Whichever feels comfortable and natural for you.

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Re: How to play escales in Chopin nocturne?

Post by burgmuller »

Ok, Thank you very much, Fredbucket
Regards
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