The course › Unit 9: Scales and technique
Lesson 49 of 72 · More than five notes without lifting your hand
Until now, your hand stayed in a five-note position. But many melodies, and every scale, go further. The pianist’s solution: the thumb under.
Right hand in C position: play C – D – E with 1-2-3. Then, instead of lifting your hand, slide your thumb under your middle finger to F. Your hand is now in F position, ready to keep going: G (2), A (3)…
C – D – E with 1-2-3, then the thumb passes under the hand for F.
Why this way: A technical move is learned slowly and without mistakes: that’s the idea behind deliberate practice. Play very slowly and watch your hand. Speed will come by itself once the move feels natural.
C – D – E (1-2-3), the thumb passes under your hand for F, then finger 3 crosses back over to come down to E. Very slowly!
Six notes in one smooth move: 1-2-3, thumb under, 1-2-3. Then back down: 3-2-1, finger 3 crosses over, 3-2-1.
Your left hand does the same thing in the other direction: the thumb passes under going down, and finger 3 crosses over the thumb going up.
Put your left thumb on middle C. Go down C – B – A with 1-2-3, then slide your thumb under your hand to G.
Left hand: C – B – A with 1-2-3, then the thumb passes under for G.
Tip: Your thumb slides close to the keys, on its side, without your arm moving: only your hand pivots slightly.
Left hand: 1-2-3 going down, the thumb passes under your hand for G, then finger 3 crosses over to climb back up to A.
A little study for the thumb: going up, it passes under; going down, finger 3 crosses over. An original study: on every climb, your thumb passes under your hand; on every descent, finger 3 crosses over. The computer plays the chords.
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