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Expert: - 1/18/2009


Question
Chopin's Nocturne Opus 9 no 1 bar 2 has 11 notes against 6.

I play the first and second notes together then never again. The 4th note in the base comes after 5.5 spaces in the treble.I think this sounds good. Do I have to play these runs as triplets or is my way acceptable.

Thanks

Louisa


Answer
I'd like to wring Chopin's neck for writing so vaguely!  We're all scratching our heads of how to 10019 over 15....

Yes, I think your solution is just fine.  I usually divide up notes, match a note of the more-numerous figuration with a note of the other one.  Generally, I put the "extra notes" in the last group to give the idea of "gaining momentum, rolling down a precipice."

For example, suppose you have 14 notes in one hand (let's say it's the RH, since Chopin usually does it this one) and 3 in the other.  I'll put 4 RH notes with each LH note = 12 notes.  I'll add the 2 leftovers to be played with the 3rd (last) LH note.  This gives me the  distribution of 3 - 3 - 3 - 5.

I also could do 3 - 3 - 4 - 4.

Throw in a little rubato to smush things around, and you're set!

For your situation, you might try 3 - 3 - 3 - 2 (or some other distribution), but I think you will prefer your own idea.

mb

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