Welcome to LivingPianos.com—I’m Robert Estrin. If you’re ready to master broken octaves and play them effortlessly, you’re in the right place! By the end of this article, you’ll be able to play broken octaves all day long without getting tired—yes, it’s absolutely possible. Let’s dive into the secret of making this happen.
The Challenge of Broken Octaves
Let’s start with an example. A great piece to highlight broken octaves is the third movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. There’s a long section in the third movement filled with broken octaves that can seem like a daunting task. The question is, how do you play these over and over without tiring out your hands and fingers?
You might think the answer lies in using your fingers more, but that would be a mistake. If you try to play it with just your fingers, you’re bound to tire out quickly. So, what’s the secret?
The Secret to Playing Broken Octaves
The technique involves positioning the hand in an arch. The strength of the arch helps distribute the force between the thumb and pinky, which are vastly different in strength. This natural positioning balances the two fingers, making it easier to play the octaves without straining.
The thumb is by far your strongest finger, while the pinky is one of the weakest. The arch helps balance this difference. But there’s more to it than just the arch. The real magic comes from rotating your wrist, not from moving your fingers. This wrist rotation allows you to play the broken octaves smoothly and evenly with minimal effort.
Why This Technique Works
By rotating your wrist instead of relying on finger movement, you eliminate the strain that comes from using your fingers to control each note. It becomes a fluid motion, and with practice, you’ll be able to play broken octaves for much longer without feeling tired. This wrist rotation is the secret I’m sharing with you today. When you use this method, you’ll find that playing broken octaves becomes effortless.
Try It for Yourself
Give it a try at the piano. And watch the accompanying video so you can see it in action. Don’t use your fingers—just rely on the natural movement of your wrist and hand. It may feel different at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll notice how much easier it is to play broken octaves with this technique.
I hope you enjoyed this tip. I love bringing you new ideas to help elevate your piano playing. I’ve been making videos for a long time—ever since the early days of interactive music in the beginning of the 21st century—and I’m excited to continue sharing piano wisdom with you. If you’d like more tips like this, be sure to check out the Living Pianos Mastermind Club!