On page 21, how am I supposed to play bar 13 of Just Friends? My hand isn't big enough! Or do I voice it another way?

Thanks

Can you "roll" the chord?

Going strictly from memory (I learned Just Friends strictly from Mark Levine's book) I don't recall any large intervals for one hand at that early stage. Isn't it just roots in the left hand and 3rd/7th shells in the right plus the melody note? I will have to dig out my book and review later....

Hi Othello, could you explain a little bit more?

h20buff - yes please! It's a bit hard to describe without using notation..

cheers

I have my book in front of me. Counting from the pickup of bar 1, I see the E-7 chord in bar 13. Low E in the left hand. The right hand has low G, D, and E melody note. The melody goes up to F#, G, B. I understand your question because the G and D are whole notes. Unless you can reach a tenth, it would be impossible to hold those down as the melody goes up. So, you just need to use the pedal. Those whole notes will keep sounding as you play the higher melody notes.

Let me know if I solved your problem.

Barb

Hi,

I would play the last Quarternote with the 2. finger and, as Barb allready said, use the pedal to get a binding to the A7 chord.

Look here ---> www.cisum.info/justfriends.pdf

Wow thanks that was really helpful guys!!

(especially the pic :D)

Andy -- The phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words" really applies here.

Very helpful post, Cudo

Yeah. Seems like your question was already answered. But here's my gist anyway:

When you "roll" your chord, you just roll your wrist to play a legato through all the chord notes with the pedal down. That's about the only way I can play a tenth.. So I am in a same boat as you!

This piece is a bit awquard to play in some places.. I thought the first chapter(s) were supposed to be the easy part of the book!

The thing with Levine's book is that you don't have to play all the exercises note by note. My experience is that once you learn voicings that work with you and your hand size, develop your own repertoire and adapt.