Fast Octaves

[princessmoose]

How can octaves be played faster, I just can't play them that fast at all. My fingers end up playing 7ths or someting.

[Steve Hopwood]

This is a bit of an advanced technique - well post grade 8 and then some.

The description is simple. You maintain the span of an octave with your hand, then lead in whatever direction you want to go with minimal movement of your wrist - the less the better.

The faster you want to play, the less movement you make from the wrist. The louder you want to play, the more your forearm comes into play. Eventually, you arrive at the point where there is a trade-off between speed and volume.

Steve

[digby]

And you'll still end up hitting the odd 7th here and there for a few years ;D

One of the most important things to build into the technique as you are working on it initially is to make sure your arm is completely relaxed. otherwise it hurts and you won't get the speed.

[princessmoose]

Ok, thanks .