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Lesson 72 | Parallel Intervals & The Ostinato Motor

Master the vertical alignment of parallel 10ths while disciplining the right hand to maintain a delicate, balanced accompaniment on the open strings.

The Scores

Studio Insights

The Ostinato Balance

This piece features a persistent "motor" on the open 3rd string. Because open strings naturally resonate more freely than fretted notes, they can easily overpower the melody. To achieve a sophisticated sound, you must consciously pluck the 3rd string with a lighter touch. Keeping this accompaniment soft allows the parallel melodies in the bass and soprano to remain the primary source of the music.

The Synchronicity Standard

The left hand moves primarily in parallel 10ths, requiring two fingers to land on different strings simultaneously. To avoid a "staggered" or messy sound, aim for absolute synchronicity: both fingers must apply pressure at the exact same micro-second. This practice ensures a clean, smooth left hand action that defines a masterful performance.

Strategic Hover Preparation

Efficiency in these shifting intervals is won through preparation. In this lesson, fingers 2 and 4 are frequently moving to new positions; use "Hovering" to position them directly over their next frets before they are needed. By reducing the distance your fingers travel, you eliminate mechanical friction and maintain a seamless flow throughout the piece.

The Play along

I've found that at the begining of the learning journey it can be very helpful to have a recording to follow along. Remember that you can easily change YouTube video playback speed on any device by clicking the settings gear icon, selecting Playback speed, and choosing a different speed from the menu, or even setting a custom speed.

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