Interpretation: Cross Hands 1 and 2
Updated: Jun 8, 2021
Cross Hands 1
This piece was composed to practice the alteration between staccato and legato. Before playing this piece a student should be able to produce staccato and legato to a level 1 standard.
Requirements
Link for replacement sheet music.
Link to PDF note cards
Link to PDF rhythm cards
Keyboard with full size keys, digital piano, studio piano or an acoustic piano (Link: Explanation).
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Learning Objectives
The learning objective sets the reasons for learning this piece. It does not cover all reasons, only the most important ones.
Interpretation Skills
Play 3 beats in a bar
Play hands together
To count the beat when playing
Fluency Skills
To play C5, E5, G5
To play C3, E3, G3
To play on the beat without pauses
To play a cross over
Experiment with sound to see which note fits and which notes do not fit.
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Demonstration Video
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Complete Practice Method
Play the passages with one finger.
Play the passages with the correct finger pattern.
Place the Sostenuto pedal down and play the whole passage ascending or descending. (Link: Piano pedals)
How fast or slow can you play it?
How does the speed effect the sound?
Experiment with final sounds and half way sounds to see which fits the context.
Cross Hands 2
Repeat the above method listening to the sound it creates. Try the sounds in one set of notes, multiple sets and over the keyboard.
Combine sounds try pairs of sets
When you have explored the sounds write in the spaces how the sound makes you feel.