Octaves are SO easy when you know HOW to practice them!

Watch the full video here: https:

[kibarra]

I have very small hands and octave playing has been the bane of my existence. In college, my teacher taught me to grip the keys and release. It's the only suggestion from a teacher that has ever worked for me. Playing octaves is far easier for me today because of this solution.

[michelleyb.]

Why does the video cut off right before he answers the question? No fair!

[Starritt_Piano]

I always thought of an octave motion like having wings of a dove, so both the palm and wrist moves as one unit so there isn’t any thought about direct movement from the wrist even if it’s so subtle. If you feel the wrist overworking against all the other components it’s difficult, but on instruments like fortepiano you could get away with it. If you have trust in the elbow the wrist will move at its own accord as it puts the whole apparatus into motion. Octaves in the palm work so much more effectively because all the other fingers can arch freely from the knuckle support provided by inside the palm. If you want legato more melodic octaves the wrist action is more specific providing physical contoring and phrasing.

[sowmyarani]

I have watched your videos. They have helped me improve my hand gestures and overall piano playing. Please keep posting more such videos. Thanks a ton! 🙂

[LazlosPlane]

You practice any technical issue according to the demands of the piece you are learn, and the passage of octaves therein.

[jaelob]

I just finished practicing Liszt Hugarian Rhapsody 6....I found using the 4 finger (instead of 5) on repeated white keys help to distribute the stress. Not sure if it's good technique, but it helped me get through it. I guess because 4 is stronger than 5.

[DavidMiller-bpet]

Welcome back, C. Lots of really good comments and cross talk from followers/subscribers, anticipating more incoming.

I figured out shortly after following that to subscribe offers me all his videos, covering all important aspects of technique. He has a full one on 8vas. Going through all vids again, for the second or third time, almost up to his lesson on octaves.

Great contributions guys. This is one of the best uses of Craig's platform, interactive, guided by his deeper understanding of various form issues. Whether a "trick" or not, C understands that the best use of his stuff is via subscription, for his benefit in some way, but mostly for subscribers/followers.

SUBSCRIBE! Nothing to lose and a lot to gain thereby.

[randomusername]

Thanks Piano Lab for yet another helpful video 🙂

[lllllllllllllllllllllIII]

It’s literally the only thing that won’t click for me everything else is soo easy once I figure out what I’m doing wrong I’ll get it btw I’m self taught and I play by ear pretty easy

[christinalatouche]

The octaves that are kicking me right now are fast broken octaves, especially in the LH. Are there any tips for making them more free? It seems that the faster I go the more tense I become.

[charlestutterman]

Still this video offered no solution. Try again

[estherreinders]

Why describe negative teaching but offer no solutions. Waste of time!