Hi,

I have a question which deals with playing legato when slurs or other phrase markings aren`t indicated in a piece of music.

I`m sure most people would agree that the default touch of the piano is legato, if nothing else is indicated. Speaking of that, today I was playing a piece of music which had no slurs or phrase markings indicated, as far ariticulation went.

Each measure, played in the treble cleff, contains a broken triad chord in 2/2 time..the first note is played as a single, and the other two notes are played together at the same time.

Measure 1: C E/G
Measure 2: B D/F
Measure 3: F A/C

The question I`d like to ask it, by default would you glide your hand to legato connect all of these notes? Even if no phrasing is shown?

What I mean is, like in measure 1, you play the C with 1 and the E/G notes together with 3/5. Now, would you keep your fingers on E/G and stretch the thumb to the left to play the B in measure two, and legato connect, or would you just let go of the notes E/G, and just move the hand (as opposed to stretching or gliding) and play the B note in measure 2 with the thumb?

And same goes for how you may or may not approach measure three. Would you keep the fingers on D/F and stretch the thumb to the note F for a legato connection, or would it be better to let the notes D/F go, and move the thumb to the left to play the note F?

If there is no articulation is a piece as far as phrase marks/slurs, would you automatically default and connect all those broken chords legato, or would you probably not legato connect at least from chord to chord? What would be most expedient...what would be the most easier and proper way to handle that?


thanks

If would be really nice if you told me what song that`s from.

If it were baroque: Do whatever you want, but lots of the time, the slurs are in context and you can figure them out yourself.
Classical: Legato.
Romantic: Meccanico. (Either to play it as it`s written so you`re not to blame when people say you suck, or to insult the editor or composer for being too lazy to put slurs on.)
Contemporary: Meccanico.
OMG is it a pop song?: Forget the articulations. Be like Liszt and make it less boring.

if you were made to play the piano you would not ask such dum questions!!!you play it like it sounds best,not like it`s written,
but like it`s meant to be heard.if it fits the score then be happy and play the damn thing.learn the notes ,forget everything else
for the rest is called musicality!!!!!!!!!!

THAT is a scary comment. Ignoring all indication on the page and all.

As far as classical music is concerned, most composers paid a lot of thoughts and attentions on his/her markings in the music. They are crucial in style, sound effect, articulation etc. You name it. Composers aren`t stupid. They can foresee...errr..."forhear" what they are putting down on the page. What "sounds good" are usually given to you right in the music. Some could arguebly be changed for interpretation or practicality purposes.

If you ever work with contemporary composers, they are usually super hardcore about performers doing exactly what`s on the page.

As for legato or not...go listen to a recording, or do some research on the background/style of the music. I`m sure you can come up with an answer for yourself.

Do you learn with a teacher? Have you asked them?

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated!