Well, I've finally got round to having a go properly at the Novelettes in Bbm and Em. I don't know if you remember but I played the first one for my A Levels way back when.

In the Em, does anyone have a recommended way of playing the Em and C chords when they're broken up and the theme is in the left hand? I find that my hand goes all stiff and they're far too loud.

Also, I know it says baigné de pédale, but how often do you change your pedal? To be honest, I've just been doing it by ear.

In the Bbm, I cannot for the life of me make the rising 6ths in the 4th (?) to last bar sound anything like it should!

Any advice about anything to do with these two pieces would be appreciated. Thanks!

Re Bbm: Can you be more specific? Make sure the LH plays flats and the RH white notes and accent the LH too (as marked) I assume you mean 6 and 5 bars from the end (page 8 of my Chester edition bought in 1974).

What do you think it should sound like - are you comparing it to a recording?