Fast repeated notes

Repeating the same note very fast (Scarlatti, Liszt's La Campanella, Ravel's Alborada del gracioso, Schubert's Erlking) is impossible with a single finger beyond a certain tempo. The solution is to change finger on every repetition.

Fingerings

• 4-3-2-1: for groups of four, "scratching" towards yourself.
• 3-2-1: for triplets, the most common.
• 2-1 or 3-1: for slower or lighter repetitions.

The gesture resembles a cat scratching: each finger pulls slightly towards the palm as it leaves the key, making room for the next. The hand moves back very slightly during the group, then resets.

M:4/4
L:1/16
Q:1/4=60
K:C
!4!c!3!c!2!c!1!c !4!c!3!c!2!c!1!c c4 c4 |]

M:2/4
L:1/8
Q:1/4=60
K:C
(3!3!e!2!e!1!e (3!3!e!2!e!1!e | (3!3!d!2!d!1!d (3!3!d!2!d!1!d | c4 |]

The role of the instrument

The double escapement of grand pianos (invented by Sébastien Érard in 1821) lets a note be replayed before the key has fully risen. On an upright piano the key must rise further: fast repetition is harder and the touch must be even lighter.

Exercise

1. Slowly, each finger plays clearly, to the bottom of the key.
2. Then let the key rise only halfway: find the point where the note can be replayed.
3. Speed up in metronome steps (see the metronome ladder).