December 2000: Arpeggi vs. Rolled Chords - Unit 6 - Rate And Replacement Of Rolled Chords

The execution of broken chords has a few more parameters than those we have already discussed. If the top note of the chord is to meet the beat point (see Unit 2) then the player must decide "how early" to initiate the sequence of notes, and how to "attack" the notes. This will determine how the broken chord will sound. For now let us distinguish the degree of break by the following terms:

· CLIPPED - the shortest (closest) degree of break. These are best accomplished by attacking the notes with both hands simultaneously.

· RIPPLED - a moderate degree of break . These may be executed by attacking either with hands together, or in sequence (left to right). The former will create a tighter ripple, the latter, a broader one.

· ROLLED - a broad (wider) degree of break. These are almost always executed in sequence from bottom to top, or vice versa.

Decision regarding when to use the various types of breaks is very complex. Much depends on the period of time in which the piece was written, its style, tempo, composer's intent, etc.

In general, all harp chords are broken to some degree unless bracketed which indicates that they must be played "flat" (not broken). A roll sign on a chord does not imply that all that without it are to be played flat, it merely indicates a greater degree of roll than normal within that piece.

See you next month.

Stephanie

-You can access Units 1 - 5 of this lesson in The Archives - Webmaster

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