7

In the opening bars of this c-sharp minor nocturne, we have the famous descending scales that are played twice, first in piano then in pianissimo. Here's a snapshot (source) of the part in question: enter image description here

Question: The lower curved line connecting the two c sharps of the right hand, (i.e. between the 2nd and 3rd chords of right hand, similarly between 4th and 5th chords), does this line correspond to a slur in which case the two chords are played in a legato or does it correspond to a tie, in which case the c sharp note is only played in the starting chord but held down during the following chord?

  • Finally, what is the general rule in distinguishing between slurs and ties?
Improve this question
2
  • An interesting question - on the 4th and 5th chords, does the E (R.H.) get played once or twice?
    – Tim
    Jul 17, 2015 at 17:39
  • 1
    @Tim twice, as there's no direct tie line between them. The double e is actually quite audible, when you listen to the piece, e.g. here.
    – Ellie
    Jul 17, 2015 at 18:13

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
12

A curved line that connects two successive notes that are the same pitch is a tie. If they are different pitches, it is a slur.

In this example, the C sharps in the bottom voices in the right hand are tied, and the other voices are played legato according to the slurs.

Improve this answer
0
4

As an addendum to @musarithmia's answer:

The Henle edition contains two versions of this Nocturne: one from a copyist's manuscript, and one from Chopin's autograph (which the editor suggests was a draft version.)1 In both cases, the tied C#s (that don't cross the bar line) are indicated not as tied notes but rather as dotted quarter-notes.

Here are the first measures from the "Kolberg" copyist's manuscript, which shows the dotted-quarter notation.

Chopin B.49 (KK IVa no. 16), Kolberg copy, mm. 1–4
(Image source: Online Chopin Variorum Edition

1 Frédéric Chopin. "Nocturnes". ed. Ewald Zimmerman. 1980(?). G. Henle Verlag. See esp. pp. v and 130-31.

Improve this answer
2
  • It seems that ties are used to avoid off-beas tied notes.. Both notations are played the same way.
    – ttw
    Oct 29, 2022 at 20:37
  • @ttw Indeed, the point of this answer is that we know they're ties and not slurs because they could have been written this way instead.
    – Luke Sawczak
    Oct 30, 2022 at 11:04

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.