The Slithering Thumb - Tips for Legato Octaves and Octave Glissandos

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  • čas přidán 14. 07. 2024
  • This is a seldom discussed concept and strategy that greatly assists with playing octaves more legato when absolutely necessary. These tips can also help for octave glissandos in a different style than is usually seen. I hope these can help if you come across these rather rare situations!
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Komentáře • 27

  • @dampiano29
    @dampiano29 Před 2 lety +6

    I don't play enough Beethoven. It's easy to forget his genius when you only submerge yourself in Chopin and Liszt (my favourites). Beethoven, Bach, Mozart all have validity, even essence in piano playing 🎹❤️

  • @Nope_jpg
    @Nope_jpg Před 2 lety +5

    I know people have 'opinions' about Schnabel's fingerings, however his treatment of the legato chords (throughout this entire sonata) are quite ingenious in how they allow the player to forego the peddle entirely. They only seem awkward at first glance, and I definitely would recommend checking them out. (imslp has it!)
    I have smaller hands, and I've discovered in instances where I must use peddle (in the octave section), that I'm able to sneak in a quarter/half press of the peddle on a 32nd subdivision of the beat. In other words, immediately after the staccato 16th in the bass. As long as the top of the octave is perfectly connected, it will sound like a perfect legato and the pedal will be imperceptible.
    Also, also, I'm aware of the slithering thumb technique as being something taught on organ. Pretty interesting.

  • @joycelin5017
    @joycelin5017 Před 2 lety +10

    Hi Josh, as you mentioned, Kristian Zimmermann uses the "slide" technique to play the octave in the 1st movement of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 . I was amazed how he did that!

  • @pritchy007
    @pritchy007 Před 2 lety +1

    I am pleased to see the use of sliding the thumb in the piano. We have to do this action all the time when playing the legato on the organ

  • @mkeating52
    @mkeating52 Před 2 lety +2

    I’m working on Waldstein now and I’ll try that out a bit - super interesting. The comment about Babayan’s foot placement on the pedal will definitely have me thinking about how I do that, too

  • @richardcasey4439
    @richardcasey4439 Před 2 lety +2

    I know this piece well and will try this very interesting technique. Never thought of using the thumb like this.

  • @alessiosinagra365
    @alessiosinagra365 Před 2 lety +2

    Super usefull! Thank you Josh!

  • @lerippletoe6893
    @lerippletoe6893 Před 2 lety

    This technique is a very useful tip, thanks

  • @clarabrown1661
    @clarabrown1661 Před 2 lety

    I greatly appreciate the video! I just learned this piece last spring, and had to overcome many of the same issues.

  • @JG_1998
    @JG_1998 Před 2 lety +5

    the octave glissando going down the keyboard isn't bad at all. but an octave glissando going up the keyboard in the right hand is brutal (like in hamelins HR2 cadenza). Gotta have serious pinky strength, and can't do it too many times in a row.

  • @princepsmickey934
    @princepsmickey934 Před 2 lety +1

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who does breathing exercises when they practice lmao

  • @sonasp1961
    @sonasp1961 Před 2 lety

    Hi Josh, thank you for all the videos you upload. Do you offer online lessons by any chance ?

  • @tubule22857
    @tubule22857 Před 2 lety

    Zimerman’s sliding octave glissando technique
    czcams.com/video/VgLQwHR5BFo/video.html
    Pollini’s octave glissando
    czcams.com/video/EjejqLXVwI4/video.html

  • @tommeyer3871
    @tommeyer3871 Před 2 lety +4

    Very interesting topic and helpful tips. "slithering thumb" is a perfect description for the movement the thumb seems to be making there :D
    I reckon this would be way harder to execute if your thumb had to slither from a depressed white key to a black key? And is it just me or is it harder to do the same thing on ascending octaves?

  • @RUT812
    @RUT812 Před rokem

    My hands are small, so I would be using the pedal to achieve the necessary legato. That slithering thumb is not anything I could ever achieve, as I have to play on the edge of the keys just to reach an octave.

  • @77sincere94
    @77sincere94 Před 2 lety

    Josh I have an extreme important question I need to tell you by email but I don’t know if you have time at the moment, please let me know also God bless in Jesus Name for the video.every single one of your vids I haven’t watched yet but are very interesting and important

    • @leonardmartin6048
      @leonardmartin6048 Před 2 lety

      Just write him, lol. It takes way more time for him to respond to this message and then to your mail.

  • @maramnimri
    @maramnimri Před 2 lety +4

    Hi Josh. I’m 39 years old. Is it too late for me to learn to play Piano ?

    • @alperenyelkovan5525
      @alperenyelkovan5525 Před 2 lety +10

      Well I’m not Josh but I’d like to say: It’s never too late! Go for it!

    • @goldillux
      @goldillux Před 2 lety +9

      Never. Keep slaying, queen.

    • @tommeyer3871
      @tommeyer3871 Před 2 lety +10

      Too late to make becoming a concert pianist a viable career option perhaps. But if you want to learn it for yourself or maybe a group of friends, it's never too late. You still have decades of time for improving and such a large repertoire that wants to be played :D

    • @jewellevy
      @jewellevy Před 2 lety +4

      Once you set foot on your musical path the excitement never stops! Learning, moving forward and progressing offers constant rewards. Enjoy where you are on the path at every point.

    • @joshwrightpiano
      @joshwrightpiano  Před 2 lety +8

      Not at all :) I actually have a video with that question as the title