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I know this question has been answered before but I swear I can't find it by searching.

In the first LH measures of Come Back to Sorrento (3/4 time) there is a dotted half note then 2 quarter note thirds. Directly above the dotted half note there is a quarter rest. For the life of me I can't figure out how to count this. I also don't get the purpose of the dotted quarter note tied to a quarter rest. dqn = 3 counts, qr = 2 counts. I feel so stooped! I maybe should post this to the teachers forum but it's so much friendlier here.

I know when/if it's explained to me it will be obvious as a cockroach on a wedding cakebut really I'm stumped.

Yes, all it's saying is there are really two voices in the left hand. There is the two F#s in octaves held for the full measure; and starting on beat 2 are the chords played each for a quarter note.

And since, unless you have a third arm you haven't told us about, you can't do that. It really means play the F#s, pedal, play the chords.

Now please go kick yourself.

You're referring to the Alfred Book 3 version, correct?

What Andy said about two voices is correct, it's two voices. You don't have to use the pedal, however. Just hold the dotted half note with your left hand pinky for the count of one (and continue holding) and then play the notes for counts two and three with your other fingers.

To put it another way, the dotted half note is one voice and is held for the count of three. The quarter notes are a second voice--the first count is a rest and the next two counts in the measure use the notes as depicted.

I'll bet that cockroach would add some protein to that carbohydrate-rich wedding cake.

While this could certainly be the title to all of our threads in which we ask questions here, it's hardly necessary

Right, of course, I just finished a piece with two voices in the RH but it was not notated this way. I think you may be looking at a different score than I have because that first broken chord is a Dm. Thanks for the obvious answer Andy

That's the one. Thanks Stubbie, I'll just sit over here in the corner in my dunce cap

I don't know Bob, I felt pretty stooped asking. I hadn't seen the thing notated this way before.

My entire piano playing existence could be labeled with Forgive My Ineptitude.

Hey, Ragdoll, sending some nice weather your way to take your mind off piano stuff.


We have marble-sized hail on the deck and a tornado just to the east, heading into Illinois. Gosh, this is fun.

Yeah, I looked at a score online in F# minor. Guess Alfred's chose a slightly simpler key! Might not have had the octaves.

Did you kick yourself though?

Holding down one finger while playing other notes in the same hand turned out to be major heavy lifting sort of practice for me. It was very difficult at first, but it is getting easier, and it really help to develop finger independence. One tip: you could otherwise be so focused on this fingering trick that you end up tensing up your arm, shoulder, back and everything else. I know I did. Remind yourself you have to relax while practicing it. It's a fun challenge.

I agree with others. Ineptitude is why we are here to begin with. At least that's why I'm here.

EPIC FAIL Stubbie a big ugly twister just barreled through here last night at 70mph. Minor tree and gutter damage for me cowering in the basement. I haven't been out yet to see what's up in the neighborhood. My piano is safe though

Simpler? ok yeah slightly but far from simple (for me).



Yes I did until I lost 5 lbs... Ok that's a lie; it was a mental @$$kickin' but it hurt anyways Thanks again Andy.

4evrBeginR,

Funny, that used to be a bad habit I developed and teacher was on my case about it for months. "Let off that key after it's count is done" I must have heard that dozens of times. Now I have to cultivate it for this technique. Sometimes lessons seem like a constant stream of contradictions don't they? Thanks for your input.

Just wanted to thank all of you again for helping me over this little hump. I have made very good progress with the first 16 measure in the LH of CBT Sorrento. You guys are the best. 16 more to go, then BHT, rinse & repeat. Yay!