Smoothness, legato, multiple slurs, moonlight sonata
I am writing a piece that uses triplet arpeggios similar to moonlight sonata. Is there a shortcut to putting a slur on each triplet? The three notes are not the same for each beat, so I can't copy/paste or use R for repeat. Also, the piano doesn't seem very legato, even after using the slur. How could I keep it from sounding like a "Piano 101" student playing it? Finally, is there a way to give expression to the play-back using nuances in tempo, volume, and touch?
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Moonlight Sonata triplet sample.pdf | 31.29 KB |
Comments
Not sure how you're entering the slurs, but the best way usually is to select the three notes and press "S". And often you would;dn't bother to do it for the whole piece, just the first measure or so then write "simile".
As for playback, it is what it is, but you might want to add pedal.
In reply to Not sure how you're entering… by Marc Sabatella
Thanks for the quick response.
That's how I was doing the slurs, but I wanted it to affect the playback, and I was doing each triplet. I'll take the tutorial on pedal usage.
In reply to Thanks for the quick… by 4oclockguy
Notation software just isn't a very good for musical playback. Not its job. Besides good playback is different for each of us. That said there are some things you can do. If you need a score for real players, make that first with whatever markings you need. For playback, there is a plugin that will help rit. accel. playback. Dynamics and hairpins help with expression, also. Bump up the reverb a tad. And, as Marc said, PED. If playback is that important, you will have to take some time to make it happen. Even so, again as Marc said, it is what it is.
In reply to Notation software just isn't… by bobjp
Playback is getting better and better as gaping lacunae get filled by popular demand. Slurs actually affect playback for all kinds of MS pianos. Look at Classicman's version of the Liszt B Minor Sonata: one can go quite far, but, as you yourself say, "you will have to take some time to make it happen."
In reply to Notation software just isn't… by bobjp
Thanks for the tips.
In reply to Thanks for the quick… by 4oclockguy
Realistically, slur markings are mostly superfluous for pianists. That is, they do kind of show a desired phrasing, but a good pianist will play legato by default with or without a slur. So it's not really correct to expect a slur marking to make a big noticeable difference in how a pianist plays a passage. As opposed to a wind instruments, where it makes a huge difference due to to different uses of the tongue, or to a somewhat lesser extent, stringed instruments where it can possibly suggest a specific bowing.
If you are expecting a non-subtle difference, you are almost certainly thinking of pedal, not slurs.
In reply to Realistically, slur markings… by Marc Sabatella
I disagree. First, in not all styles and eras is the assumption of universal/default legato appropriate (it is certainly not appropriate on non-piano keyboards, such as organ). Secondly, slurs mark phrases whose boundaries must be articulated. Thirdly, MuseScore disagrees with you, giving 95% cutoff on piano with no opt-out UNLESS legato is specified by slur, and the difference is quite audible.
In reply to I disagree. First, in not… by [DELETED] 1831606
OK, it's true that in some styles the default might not be legato. But it's the default in most styles, so maybe I could call the "default default" :-).
Anyhow, I'm not saying there would definitely be no difference, and I know that MuseScore does attempt to fake it using the 95% value. But, as the OP is noticing, the effect is quite subtle. As it should be - again, for most music most of the time, phrases with no slur are played legato, and the slur really makes only the very subtlest of difference. Which is why I suspect he is really thinking of pedal if he's expecting a major difference.
In reply to OK, it's true that in some… by Marc Sabatella
(: I will not have you saying wicked, libelous things about slurs! No slur slurs permitted here! :)