Hand independence

Polyrhythms are among the most distinctive features of Romantic piano music. They occur when two different rhythmic groupings are played simultaneously, such as three notes against two, four against three, five against four, or seven against four. On paper, these combinations can look mathematical and intimidating. At the piano, however, the ultimate goal is almost the opposite: a successful polyrhythm should sound natural, flexible and expressive rather than calculated. Frédéric Chopin provides some of the finest examples of this kind of writing. In works such as the Barcarolle in F-sharp major, Op. 60, the nocturnes and the fantasies, rhythmic complexity is [...]