In our first practice clinic of the year, Graham Fitch answers questions on crossing the hands, making fingering automatic, practising ornaments and more in a fiendish Prokofiev Sonata movement, a Bach Invention, Grieg’s Wedding Day in Troldhaugen and Scarlatti.
Practice clinic questions
Prokofiev Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 14 No. 2 (2nd mvt) – I am working on the Scherzo from this sonata and would like some advice on how best to practise and play the crossing of hands when the hands are either close together or further apart in bars 1 – 15. I’d also appreciate some fingering suggestions for the right hand when it is crossed with the left in these bars. Furthermore, I’d also find some ideas on how to play the staccato notes to convey the character of this piece useful.
Bach Invention No. 13 in A Minor, BWV 784 – I am getting tied up in knots with the fingering while learning thius piece. There are so many possibilities that I get confused with which one I’m doing. I would be very grateful if you could give me some pointers on how to choose fingeruings and practise them in order to make the fingering automtic.
Grieg Wedding Day at Troldhaugen (Op.65 No.6 from Lyric Pieces) – I am really struggling with the spot at bar 49. My LH gets really tight and I can’t play at full speed at the very loud dynamic. I’m also looking for suggestions on how to make the middle section a bit more interesting as I currently find it a bit dull!
Scarlatti Sonata in D Major, K443 – I would like some help on how to practise the ornaments throughout the piece e.g. Bars 2 to 6, 49 to 53 and 103 to 107 as well as a few others. I am having trouble keeping them even, light and in time.
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Further information on how our practice clinics work is available here or please click here to find out more about the Online Academy.