How to indicate left hand for piano sheet music
The Chopin - Godowsky Revolutionary Etude No 12 is arranged for the left hand only, and we're only informed about this by a note under the title. Please see the excerpt below:
I am currently writing a piece for piano only for the left hand. I have only one staff with the treble clef for piano. Without any additional notes, we would play it with the right hand autonomously.
I would like to know if I, too, should just indicate to play the piece with the left hand only as in the excerpt above—or are there any other (notation) signs to show this?
Thank you.
(2)2 Comments
Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best
bottom staff defaults to left hand unless otherwise notated. as does top to RH.
In principle you could use the Italian marking "M.S. solo" meaning literally "Left hand only". But "Solo" might be read with a different meaning (i.e. "this piece is for one player"), even though that would seem to make little sense in your context. I think you would be better using a full sentence in your native language, either in the title or at the start of the notation, as in the Godowsky example.
I would expect most pianists would want to know that the piece was for left hand alone when reading the title, before they looked at the complete score.
Terms of Use Privacy policy Contact About Cancellation policy © freshhoot.com2025 All Rights reserved.