Question about Through My Words.

[Jester's Destiny]

Hi, I'm new to the forum, and I was wondering if you guys could help me with something. I've been trying to teach myself to play the piano, so I got Total Keyboard Wizardry and the Dream Theater Keyboard Anthology to aid me in the learning process. Anyway, the Anthology has the sheet music for "Through My Words" which I decided to try to learn, but I've run into a bit of a problem. Everything seems fine until the 11th measure when I am required to play a chord with the left hand containing the notes C,G, and E, the E being above the C's octave. Although I can make this stretch, I find it extremely awkward and uncomfortable. Then, in measure 15, there is a chord containg the notes D,A, and F#, with the F# above the D's octave, and this is a stretch I cannot seem to make. Anyway my question is this: Am I reading this correctly? Do these chords really require the stretches I have mentioned? Like I said, I'm just starting out and trying to teach myself, so mabey there's something I'm not understanding. I hope my question made sense. any help you guys could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

[KTE88]

Hi,

Yup, your are reading it correctly im afraid and it is a big stretch. I can play the C and E comfortably and can play the D and F# although its uncomfortable. If you cant make the stretch, you can play an octave instead - this wont give you the same sound but it still sounds ok.

[King_Ellesar]

hey, welcome to the forum. i havent seen the sheet music, so i'm not sure what the right hand is doing at that moment, but is something keeping you from playing the third above the octave with your right hand thumb? that's how i'd try to do it if i really didnt wanna leave it out and couldnt reach.

[Jester's Destiny]

hey, welcome to the forum. i havent seen the sheet music, so i'm not sure what the right hand is doing at that moment, but is something keeping you from playing the third above the octave with your right hand thumb? that's how i'd try to do it if i really didnt wanna leave it out and couldnt reach.
I thought of that, but the right hand thumb is on a G, and the pinky is assigned to it's octave, while the other fingers play notes in between. Meanwhile the chord sounded by the left hand sustains, so I guess that's out.

[Arda]

Just play them in one octave. I mean play C-E-G-C in an octave instead of C-G-E... Or play D-F#-A-D instead of D-A-F#... You don't need to play %100 same :wink:

[EloHiR ElEnDIl]

:|........

You have big hands all of you...I can only make octaves...and I can't play C4-D5..:| :S

I have little hands I know that....:S

[King_Ellesar]

you know, it may also have to do with what your doing with your hand that is making the reach hard. since your right hand is occupied at that point, maybe you can do something with your left to make it easier to reach that E. since you're starting out, you may not be familliar with some of these techniques.

the first thing i'd suggest trying is to rotate your wrist a little to the left so your thumb can reach the higher E. to get what i mean by rotate, try putting your hands palms down in front of you. keeping your arms, and elbows from moving, make little windshield wiper motions with them keeping palms down. (thats the best way i could think to describe it :P) a lot of people when they start playing tend to think that their hand has to be locked into a front position, but when playing chords, and ones that have stretches like this, it can be hard and painful to attempt them without angling your hand, pivoting at your wrist to one way or another. so, try to pivot your hand at the wrist to the left (if you arent already) which should give a little more comfort in the stretch. if you still dont know what i mean by pivoting/angling your hand, i could show you with a picture if you want later.

if trying that is still a little tough at first with the C G E, instead of going up to the E, try the D (just for practice, not for a supplement) it makes a pretty chord too! once your comfortable with the D, try the E again.

another thing i've seen with people who just start out on the keys is they are afraid to move their fingertips from the bottom edges of the keys. sometimes moving your fingers up towards the tops of the keys can make certain chords, reaches, and scales feel a lot more comfy.

i think the first one will get the trick. i dont have large hands and that works for me :) in my opinion, especially on a song like this, always try (like you are doing) to get it exact.

Just play them in one octave. I mean play C-E-G-C in an octave instead of C-G-E... Or play D-F#-A-D instead of D-A-F#... You don't need to play %100 same :wink:

there is a difference between inversions of chords, and there are reasons certain chords are picked, one of the best being it sounds better. having a very full chord in lower registers may not sound right depending on the song. spreading out the chord like in the chord that is being talked about can make it sound lighter, brighter, and better ;) plus, why not try and learn it exact anyway? if you learn something new in the end, and go a step beyond what you "couldnt" do before, isnt it worth working on?

welcome to the forum! and welcome to keyboardworld.

[Jester's Destiny]

you know, it may also have to do with what your doing with your hand that is making the reach hard. since your right hand is occupied at that point, maybe you can do something with your left to make it easier to reach that E. since you're starting out, you may not be familliar with some of these techniques.

the first thing i'd suggest trying is to rotate your wrist a little to the left so your thumb can reach the higher E. to get what i mean by rotate, try putting your hands palms down in front of you. keeping your arms, and elbows from moving, make little windshield wiper motions with them keeping palms down. (thats the best way i could think to describe it :P) a lot of people when they start playing tend to think that their hand has to be locked into a front position, but when playing chords, and ones that have stretches like this, it can be hard and painful to attempt them without angling your hand, pivoting at your wrist to one way or another. so, try to pivot your hand at the wrist to the left (if you arent already) which should give a little more comfort in the stretch. if you still dont know what i mean by pivoting/angling your hand, i could show you with a picture if you want later.

if trying that is still a little tough at first with the C G E, instead of going up to the E, try the D (just for practice, not for a supplement) it makes a pretty chord too! once your comfortable with the D, try the E again.

another thing i've seen with people who just start out on the keys is they are afraid to move their fingertips from the bottom edges of the keys. sometimes moving your fingers up towards the tops of the keys can make certain chords, reaches, and scales feel a lot more comfy.

i think the first one will get the trick. i dont have large hands and that works for me :) in my opinion, especially on a song like this, always try (like you are doing) to get it exact.

Thanks for the advice. I tried pivoting my hand like you said, and while it gave me a bit more reach, it was still quite a stretch. The C G E chord is hard but I am able to reach it, however the D A F# is just too much of a reach for me. It might be benificial for you to post a picture, as you suggested. This might help me understand the "pivoting" motion a little better.

Thanks again.

[Staccato]

I have big hands so for me it´s not a problem.. are you just playing the piano or do you have a syntheseizer? Cause then some programming might fix it.. another way is to leave out the darkest D and play F# A D F#.. haven´tried if it sounds ok. Another way which a fomer pianoteacher showed me(she had really small hands) was to first hit the D, and by the use of sustain pedal then play the other three notes and if you have praticed it good, then it almost sounds the same.. but then you have to be ready to put your hand in the second position directly.. or you could try to get a 6th finger?:P

[King_Ellesar]

you wanted pictures. you got em! check out my sexy left hand in action...

My basic C chord 5 3 1 position (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0662.jpg)

C chord with octave on top. I play it 5 2 1 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0663.jpg)

D is on top now. fingers are 5 2 1 again. Notice an angle to the left of my hand. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0664.jpg)

And finally, the high E. Fingers are 5 2 1, and there is some angleage of the hand (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0665.jpg)

and these are the ones on the D chord. Similar stuff. Same fingers, but different notes.

One (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0666.jpg)
Two (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0667.jpg)
Three (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0668.jpg)

i dont know if you can tell from that, but i dont have perfect technique. but that is how i get the job done for those chords. i think a key here to these chords may be just in the fingering. on the big stretches, using 5 2 1 instead of 5 3 1 is a ton easier. i dont know what fingers you were using, but try like in the photos, it might be easier than what you were doin. good luck :)

[Jester's Destiny]

you wanted pictures. you got em! check out my sexy left hand in action...

My basic C chord 5 3 1 position (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0662.jpg)

C chord with octave on top. I play it 5 2 1 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0663.jpg)

D is on top now. fingers are 5 2 1 again. Notice an angle to the left of my hand. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0664.jpg)

And finally, the high E. Fingers are 5 2 1, and there is some angleage of the hand (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0665.jpg)

and these are the ones on the D chord. Similar stuff. Same fingers, but different notes.

One (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0666.jpg)
Two (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0667.jpg)
Three (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v394/King_Ellesar/100_0668.jpg)

i dont know if you can tell from that, but i dont have perfect technique. but that is how i get the job done for those chords. i think a key here to these chords may be just in the fingering. on the big stretches, using 5 2 1 instead of 5 3 1 is a ton easier. i dont know what fingers you were using, but try like in the photos, it might be easier than what you were doin. good luck :)

Thanks. the pictures seemed to help. I can reach the D chord now, although my hand is stretched about as far as it can go! Anyway, I'm better at It than I was yesterday, and I'd say thats a good sign. I'll continue to work at it daily, and hopefully it will become easier with time.

Thanks again.