The octaves in Chopin's Scherzo No. 3 aren't a strength problem — they're a release problem. In this short clip, Garrick Ohlsson introduces two ideas that change how the passage sits in the hand immediately.
In this lesson, American pianist Garrick Ohlsson guides you through Chopin’s Scherzo, Op. 39, No. 3 in C-sharp Minor. <br><br>When you practice the introduction, Ohlsson encourages you to explore playing with different degrees of rubato, since pianists have interpreted this section in numerous different ways, and Chopin does not specify tempo markings. <br><br>When you practice the octaves in this piece, Ohlsson suggests using the lateral movement of your thumb to help you to reach wide intervals without needlessly shifting your entire hand position. To find even more comfort, you will learn to cultivate a “relaxation response,” immediately releasing tension in your hand after striking the keyboard. <br><br>You will also learn strategies for practicing Chopin’s challenging left-hand jumps. To avoid locking your hands at either end of a jump, Ohlsson teaches you to imagine each jump as a single, fluid gesture in which your arm is constantly oscillating.
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