Cuts Across Hands

[Dave Weinstein]

When playing Boys of Blue Hill, I want to cut the first B.

 

So, F A B A F A D would be F A {D}B A F A D.

 

With my layout, I have the D on the press (which is the direction this sequence is being played) adjacent to the B, and on the other hand. If I play it adjacent to the B, the sound is right (just the right duration), but I have to move the finger that was playing the A and have it play the D cut. If I play the D on the right hand, the fingering works better at faster speeds, but the cut just doesn't sound right.

 

Is there advice other than "keep practicing that bit" anyone can offer, to get the synchronization right between the hands for ornaments?

 

--Dave

[JimLucas]

Dave, I had to Search past posts for your custom layout, so I could se what you're talking about. Here's how I would do it, all in the left hand (with some explanation, so if I'm using the wrong layout, you can tell and ignore me):

 

Ring finger on the first F# (1 in from right in inner row)

Index finger on the A (rightmost, inner row)

Middle finger on the d (rightmost, middle row)

Ring finger on the B (beside the d)

Index back on the next A

Middle on the next F#

Index on A

Ring finger on D (to left of F#).

 

I find that using the ring finger on the first F# makes it much easier to bring the middle finger over the d.

 

But you really should practice cross-hand sequences. Since I primarily play the English, I find them quite natural, but with a bit of practice, you should, too. Using fingers on alternate hands can be both faster and smoother, once you learn to coordinate it. And it can certainly simplify some fingerings, especially on quick ornaments.