Hello piano enthusiasts. I wonder if you could help.

I’m currently working through “The Classic Piano Course” by Carol Barratt. She explains on p. 19 that notes within a phrase-mark should be played legato, but that between phrase-marks the hand should be lifted briefly without changing speed.

Exercises beginning on p. 24 use notes in both the Treble and Base Clefs. There are phrase-marks, but only over the Treble Clef notes.

So my question is, do phrases over the Treble Clef notes also require the Base Clef notes to be played within those phrases? Or do phrase-marks only apply to the Clef over which they are placed?

I thank you in advance for your feedback.

Well I woulsd say that they only apply for the clef they are placed on, but I'm not entirely sure. The reason in my thinking was that some pieces have the right hand playing legato, whilst the right hand is detached, therefore the slurs would not effect the right hand...but then I could be getting confused or something...

Hope that was of any help, and sorry if I'm wrong.

Laura

Thank you Laura, for taking the time to give that helpful feedback. Time is money, and money is power.

I’ve printed your info out and kept it in my piano studies folder.

That’s impressive that you got to piano grade 4 in just 18 months. I’m progressing at one grade per year, but I only practice for thirty minutes each day.

Have fun with your music career. Take care.

Matt