Hi,

I wonder if anyone has looked at the Scarlatti Sonata for Grade VI?

I have a very brave pupil who loves this piece and I'm unsure how to advise on the numerous trills which seem inconsistent:

Bar 2 - trill looks appropriate here, starting on the upper note, relevant to the period, but how on earth to fit all those in at the correct tempo is a huge challenge at Grade 6 don't you think!?

Bar 12 - presumably starting trilling on the G because the upper note is the same as the previous note? Why though in the very next bar are we not starting on the upper note?

Bar 17 - with the lower note trills in the right hand should you start on the upper note still?

Many thanks for any suggestions!

I am a student, and tried my hand at A3 too. Really exposes too many of my weak points and hurt my wrists from the stretched trills, so I gave it up and chose another piece more suitable for me instead.

Just wondering, which edition are you holding on to? I am looking at the Selected Piano Exam Pieces 2009-2010 published by ABRSM, and it is very clear that in bar 12, the trill goes: GA GA GA GA... G. In bar 13, it is also written that the trill goes: DE DE DE D. Does your edition state otherwise? But I read that you can always start on the note opposite from what is stated.

For bar 17, I didn't find any specific markings for it, but as I listened to the demo CD, it sounded like the trill STILL started on G. It was like a continuation from bar 16, with only an additional A at the top, and no change to the rest of the notes/ornaments. Adds to the dissonance as well... Very cool effect.

If you look into the Teaching Notes book, you could find more hints on how to tackle this piece. There are advices on bars 2 and 17 too. And you might want to listen to the demo CD for more ideas.

I have now! Beautiful.

My old Longo edition has ancillary notes before each trill indicating whether to start on the primary note or the upper. In some cases it also has suggested fingerings. All the suggestions sound just fine. Here they are:

Start on the upper, with 3rd finger.

It certainly is.

Start on the G. 2313 etc. But Bars 13 and 14 start on the upper (31313143)

Start on the main note again - and similarly in following bar (2313).

When I asked my teacher a similar question about some trills in K466 she said "You have some freedom" (!)