Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction: Why Can I Play Piano Hands Together but not Separately?
Do you ever find yourself asking, “Why can I play piano hands together but not separately?” Really, it depends on the type of music you play. Some pieces lend themselves to hands together work, while others will be better suited for learning hands separate. Read more to learn the factors that impact how you learn a new piece of music.
This article uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
The Factors that Affect Playing Piano with Hands Together but not Separately
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Arpeggios:
Crossovers:
“Why can I play piano hands together but not separately?” You have four factors that affect whether a piece will be easier to learn with hands together versus hands separate:
- First, think about whether the piece has arpeggios that span across both hands (example 1 above). With broken chords you play the notes of a chord melodically, rather than all the notes at the same time. When the arpeggios span across both hands, you’ll find it easier to play with hands together.
- Likewise, when you play RH/LH crossovers it’ll be simpler to learn them with hands combined (example 2 above).
- If you have chord fragments when you play hands separate, the chords will sound better and make more sense when you put them together (example 3 below). (When you only have a piece of the chord in one hand, you’ve got a chord fragment.) For example, I have a student who’s been learning an arrangement of New York State of Mind, which uses complex jazz-blues chords. He struggled with playing hands separate. However, it went better when he put the hands together, because it sounded like the song, which also made it easier to play. Here’s a quick tip for this situation. It’ll be best to start with hands separate, but quickly transition to hands together.
- Finally, does your score have the notes, intervals, and chords arranged so the hands don’t play at the same time? If so, it’ll be much simpler to play it with hands together. Since the hands never line up timewise, it’ll almost be like playing a single line (example 4 below).
Complex Chords:
Almost Like Playing a Single Line:
Video: “New York State of Mind” Arrangement
Concluding Thoughts to “Why Can I Play Piano Hands Together but not Separately?”
“Why can I play piano hands together but not separately?” Most likely the piece lends itself to playing with both hands.
To review, you have four factors that contribute to easier hands together playing:
- Arpeggios that span across both hands
- RH/LH crossovers
- Chord fragments
- The notes and intervals don’t get played by both hands at the same time.
It’s important to start new songs with a flexible frame of mind, because the best way to approach them can vary. With practice and persistence, you’ll be able to master each new song.
Related Posts
- How Does Your Brain Learn to Play the Piano with Two Hands?
- Should I Learn to Play the Piano One Hand at a Time or Simultaneously?
© 2023 Geoffrey Keith
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Glossary
- Arpeggio
- Arrangement
- Broken chord
- Chord
- Interval
- LH = left hand
- Line
- Melody
- Note
- RH = right hand
- Score
- Seventh chord
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