What is two-note slur? How to play?

The beginner piano students learn two-note slur quiet early stage of learning.

1) Why is two-note slur important?

Two-note slur is the smallest fragment in the way of playing legato. Many students think that achievement of the two-note slur is to have a smooth sound. However, the final achievement through two-note slur is that Student can get the idea on relaxation of the wrist and movement of the upper arm.

Richard Beauchamp; was Head of Keyboard and Chamber Music in St.Mary’s Music School said

"In fact, not only do slurs help to make the music dance, breathe and ‘speak,’ they are also an opportunity to get something right early on that will later enable the student to play some of the most ‘difficult’ music by Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and Liszt." 

2) How students can practice the slur technique?

Seymour Bernstein, a piano virtuoso and great piano padagogue demonstrates the two-note slur practice.

[The description is based on the Seymour Bernstein’s lecture on Chopin’s prelude in E minor op.28 no.4]

First of all, place your finger without pressing the key. Before hitting the key, students need to feel the surface of the key and make sure their hands in normal position.

Now, students have a swing stroke. Many students have trouble to get a right timing to succeed the two-note slur. Many students play the note first and raise the arm, making two movements in place of one. Another issue is that students sometimes raise the wrist before pressing the second note. Unfortunately, that is not a way to do two-note slur.

Movements; dropping the wrist and pressing the key should be placed in one motion.

It is like when you throw the ball, you needs to relax the wrist while having stubborn finger to hold the ball. It has th same principle. Students also be able to see the wrist moving along the upper-arm. The wrist undulation is happen because upper arm rolls forward and back again.

The very next note is the result of the movement. It is like movement of energy through one finger to another finger. Don’t forget to roll up to left or right for transmission the energy smoothly.