I'm playing a mozart sonata in g k.283, with octave semiquavers in the first movement.
OK, so I can do most of the octaves, due to hard work and hours of practising,
but I can't get the E-F sharp, since I am only 11. I'm really frustrated!
And yes, frustration is not a musicians friend.

Thanks

Allygirl

I also have ridiculously small hands, and unfortunately there's not really a lot you can do. However, if you're 11, you have the bonus that your hands will probably grow, meaning you will almost certainly be able to play the more stretchy pieces in time right down though, I'd just work on playing scales in octaves, but be careful not to push yourself too hard, particularly when you're tired-you may do more harm than good! Speak to your teacher and ask if they can recommend anything to help you good luck!
Fran

All you can do is practise, practise... and practise. Maybe pay more attention to your scales/arpeggios and practise your ocatves more. A good piece for practising octaves is Mozart's 'Alla Turca' - the B section of the Rondo uses Octaves in the RH, and large spread arpeggio's in the right - since learning this piece, large gaps and leaps have seemed a lot easier for me. Also, like someone else stated, you're still only 11. Your hands will grow to! Good luck and keep up the work Wonderful Mozart piece you're working on there!

I'm learning the Rondo Alla Turca at the moment, and my arm strength has improved. If you can't physically reach the notes, have you tried spreading the chords. I'm 15 and have trouble reaching 9ths, so have to spread chords bigger than that.

Another piece that I'm learning at the moment with lots of octaves in it is 'Reveil dans les bois' by Burgmuller, which is probably about grade 6 standard. This has octaves for pretty much the whole piece in one hand or the other.

Thanks for the advice.
I have the piece, since my big brother played 'Alla Turca' a while back,
but I think I'll have to wait a while, as he used to thump it
and seriously it made me cry!!! He doesn't thump anymore though;
he plays very beautifully.


Allygirl