How to Span Large Intervals on a Piano

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Realize that your hands may actually be too small for large distances.

   Some people's hands will never span more than an octave.
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   Step 2: Stretch your hands often.

   Put your pinky (or thumb, depending on which hand) on C and stretch it as far as you can.
   
   Hold this position, but don't hurt yourself.
   
   The most important thing is to feel the stretch; you don't have to go far past that.
   
   Using lotion and having regular hand massages can help your hands become more flexible. , You will usually have to span using your left hand, but occasionally, your right hand will have a large distance to cover.
   
   Play pieces that have both.
   
   Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata is a good piece to use for this purpose.
   
   It includes ninths for the right hand and many octaves for the left hand.
   
   Chopin's Prelude No. 20 in C minor has octaves for both hands all the way through. , Play a C octave harmonic scale going up and back down.
   
   Try to increase speed and try to keep your fingers spread. , Play a C with a ninth (D) harmonic scale going up and back down, again keeping the span. ,,
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   Step 3: Play pieces in which octaves

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   Step 4: ninths

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   Step 5: and tenths occur.

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   Step 6: Practice Octaves.

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   Step 7: Practice Ninths.

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   Step 8: Do the same with tenths or higher depending on what you need and the size of your hands.

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   Step 9: Continue using these steps for as long as it takes to span the distance you need or want.

Detailed Guide

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