How To Play Octaves On The Piano
Piano Octaves
Do you struggle with octaves? Well, you’re not alone!
In this video, you will learn how to play octaves on the piano with proper form so you gain speed & accuracy (they will feel easier to play also). I’ll demonstrate 2 different techniques that you can practice at home.
Even if you have SMALL HANDS, you can play octaves well by following my tips and guidance!
COMMON TECHNIQUE PROBLEMS
When I begin working with a new student, I ask them to play a scale in octaves.
I always see a combination of stiff wrists and tense hands.
What should be happening is the opposite, a combination of loose wrists and relaxed hands!
PIANO OCTAVES TECHNIQUE #1: LIMP HAND
Raise your hands above the keys (about 6 inches) and keep them completely relaxed. Then drop your hands onto the keys while fanning your fingers out to the octave. Your wrists should stay high. Lift your hands back into the starting position, above the keys. Relax your hands and let them go limp before playing the next octave.
Practice this technique slowly for a while, hands separate, with a C Major scale. Eventually, you’ll be able to apply this technique when you play hands together.
This “limp hand” technique is great for pieces with fast octaves like Chopin’s Scherzo in C Sharp Minor, Op 39.
PIANO OCTAVES TECHNIQUE #2: WRIST SNAP
Another important way to practice piano octaves is with a wrist snap technique. Touch the octave and then immediately snap up, off the keys with your wrists leading the motion. This technique is actually the opposite of the “limp hand” technique (dropping onto the keys). But, it still requires loose wrists and relaxed hands.
This wrist snap technique is great for pieces with slow, powerful/grand octaves like the opening bars of Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16
BONUS TIP: SPEED
When you have octaves on black keys, it’s often a good idea to use your 4th fingers instead of 5th fingers because they are longer. Some pianists also use their 3rd fingers for more octave facility. In most cases, you will be able to play octaves faster by using your 3rd and 4th fingers instead of your pinkies on the black keys.
PATIENCE & PRACTICE IS KEY!
When you initially try these new techniques, your accuracy and speed won’t be great. But with practice and patience, you WILL see improvement! The main tip to remember is to keep your hands and wrists relaxed.
WATCH ME DEMONSTRATE
I hope you’ll watch my video about how to play octaves on the piano so you can watch me demonstrate these important techniques.
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By Steinway Artist, Professor Lenora Ford Brown of Brillante Piano Duo
