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NeoTrajan

(109 posts)
Tue Jul 7, 2026, 07:45 PM Tuesday

Rachmaninoff Prelude #5 in G Minor

In the capable hands of Yuja Wang.

I have the piano score for this and Rach's Prelude #2 in C Sharp Minor: Both are way above my skill level, but they are such impactful pieces of music; even if it takes months or even years, it will be worth it

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Rachmaninoff Prelude #5 in G Minor (Original Post) NeoTrajan Tuesday OP
This is Prelude #2 NeoTrajan Tuesday #1
This message was self-deleted by its author usonian Tuesday #3
She's amazing oberle Tuesday #2
The second is perhaps playable by mere mortals like us. usonian Tuesday #4
I have average hands NeoTrajan Thursday #5
I cheat, sorry. usonian Thursday #6
I've been dealing with that in the same way NeoTrajan Sunday #7

Response to NeoTrajan (Reply #1)

usonian

(27,535 posts)
4. The second is perhaps playable by mere mortals like us.
Tue Jul 7, 2026, 11:05 PM
Tuesday

Why do these artists seem to have fingers twice as long as mine?

Rachmaninoff had giant hands.



(Rachmaninoff.org)

I previously replied to another post here.

So who's perfect?

NeoTrajan

(109 posts)
5. I have average hands
Thu Jul 9, 2026, 02:18 PM
Thursday

I can occasionally span a 9th interval, but only for a few instances

My great challenge is skipping my left hand to play patterns or arpeggios greater than an octave ... I don't have the muscle memory to do this blind

I am getting better with practice, but I still feel out of control when I try to play those pieces

usonian

(27,535 posts)
6. I cheat, sorry.
Thu Jul 9, 2026, 02:30 PM
Thursday

So a note is missing, Oh well.

You would be amazed how nice the opening to the Rachmaninoff second piano concerto sounds when you just chainsaw those arpeggios. (Not that I would do such a thing).

If you have Music Minus One for this piece, turn the orchestra track up.

Some people do order "shrunk" keyboards.

We make do!

Happy piano playing. Your secret is safe with me (and DU and the internet)

Mozart is said to have had small hands. An email request to him for advice has not gotten a reply yet.

NeoTrajan

(109 posts)
7. I've been dealing with that in the same way
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:41 PM
Sunday

I've been practicing the Mozart Lacrimosa transcription (Also known as the Requiem in D Minor, which was unfinished when Mozart died), and which was never written as a piano piece, so the note spreads tend to exceed the octave span ... It's so pretty, the piece is still effective without a few notes here or there, strategically omitted

I'm getting better at the two octave arpeggios, but I take them pretty slow, and I'm still only tackling the first and second major sections of that piece so far, and it's been a challenge....

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