Hi, can anybody confirm I am interpreting the meaning of the word Sopra correctly? I am referring to its usage in G3 Piano Allegretto by Turk, Bars 12 & 17 in particular.

Does Sopra simply indicate which hand plays 'on top' and is not to be confused with playing an octave higher? I think this is where I've been getting myself mixed up!!

Therefore if I am correct in my interpretation at Bar 12, the right hand moves swifly over the left hand to play the lower D ..... 2 Ds down?

In Bar 16/17, the left hand will play 'on top' of the right hand - the G & B are in the same octave so the two hands are very close together. Then the left hand continues on to play above the right hand in Bars 18/19 except the G will be an octave higher this time.

I really hope this makes sense to someone out there who can help! Thanks in advance.

It means over - it is telling you to take your left hand over your right and then it will be right over left.

Yes, simply put, as you have, this makes sense... just read the music as it is and at sopra put the appropriate hand over the other hand - nothing to do with octaves.

I think the penny has dropped now! Thanks for your help.

Yes, you're right. I had a student who played this piece in her exam and the crossed hands parts are a bit tricky! But she managed and did well with it in the exam. Nice piece.

Thanks Jenny - reassuring to know I'm interpreting it correctly....at last!!