COURSE SUPPLEMENT

CHOREOGRAPHING OCTAVES
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KEYBOARD CHOREOGRAPHY: LESSON 5

SEYMOUR BERNSTEIN – INSTRUCTOR

“An octave is actually a mold”.

Many pianists have began to play octaves using

the fifth finger. For lyrical playing, this isn't the
most musical option, however in much quicker
passages, like Rubinstein's 'Heroic Polonaise',
this is far more convenient.

There are three ways that pianists hold the middle fingers while playing octaves:
the fingers can all be together, 3 and 4 are together, while 2 is separated, or
finger 2 can be curved downward. Find the position that best suits your own
hand. If your hands are small, connecting your fingers isn't the best option.
Instead, spread out your fingers to maximize the stretch. Whatever you do, don't
change position of the middle fingers as you play, or your octaves will be sloppy.

If your shoulders go up during octaves, the mechanism is disturbed. Keep them

down, and keep your spirits up! After years of playing with high shoulders,
Bernstein discovered that he can be more passionate with his shoulders down. Be
aware of your shoulder tension at every moment in your life. Whether you're
stressed for an exam or watching a horror movie, keep them down and relaxed.

Watch the lesson at tonebase.co Bernstein 1