Speaking of glissandi...what in your opinion is the best way for a 10 year old to play a glissando. It's a white key descending glissando. She says it hurts her nail bed to do it with the back of her LH. I suggested taking a note card and using that, but she doesn't like the sound it makes and it takes too long to grab the card.

She's composing a piece and wants to use this glissando but can't find a comfortable way to play it. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Has she tried using her R.H. fingers 2 and 3 on the nail beds? I guess you could use the backs of the fingers. I haven't had a student yet who enjoys a glissando...LOL...I guess it takes time to be comfortable with it.

Yes, she did try those fingers and said it hurt. I'm so glad to hear it confirmed that you haven't had a student yet who enjoys glissandos! I thought it was just me. I guess the skin toughening that happens as we age is a good thing!

With fingers 2-3-4 tilted at a 45 degree angle. If it hurts for them to have the nail side on the keys, then let them try it with the flesh side - oh, and press the damper pedal.
They love the sound and it should never hurt to play the piano. If it hurts, something isn't being done correctly.

I have my students practice by playing the first and last note, sliding over the keys on the way without making a sound. I suggest they only actually play the whole glissando once a day - and no more. Occassionally I will have someone who does it more often, but most are relieved not to have to do it so often.

That's a great idea. Thanks for the tips!

Sorry, but I just can't imagine a glissando on the flesh part of the fingers working very well. I do think it can be done several ways. Like other aspects of technique there are a few right ways and some wrong ways to perform it. Sometimes I have them brace their thumb and sliding on the "side" of the thumb and index finger - nothing to get stuck on a key there, but the inside fleshy part has too much possibility of digging in to one note and stopping a smooth slide.

Two things help the student to find the way to play a glissando without hurting - the correct pressure and the correct angle of the fingers. When both are in sync it does not hurt. Most students hold the fingers too much at a 90 degree angle, when it should be like Vivace suggested, about 45 degrees. Or, they dig in way too hard. I try to make them think of how they go down a slide - just woosh! Try to get them to focus on sliding down the surface of the keys, focus on the effect of the sliding sound, not digging in to each note on the way down.

Well, she nixed the idea of a glissando since it was too difficult in her opinion. But, she came away with a different bridge back to her A section, so she's happy.

Thanks for the discussion about the technique for a glissando. It's been helpful!