Octave Rotation

For Octaves and passages containing double-notes (double-thirds, sixths, etc.), the required motion is, that the rotatory conditions be remade each time, individually, for each double-note effect. In the meantime do not forget the required exertions of the two fingers concerned, that is to use the fingers in conjunction with the hand. Double-third passages, rotationally, are often a cross between octave and single note playing. In some places the rotational effect has merely to be repeated, whereas in others a single finger acts as a pivot, and the rule as to single notes, rotationally, then supervenes. Difficulty in octave passage playing is most frequently traceable to not properly initiating the rotatory condition each time.
Remake the required set of conditions each time for each octave, which is to rotate towards the thumb for the octave interval. Give sufficient rotatory exertion each time towards the thumb to enable the motion to sound the interval. In addition, be sure to provide for each successive octave, individually, the exertion each time of the thumb and fifth finger during key-descent.

Note: The hand cannot be formed for the octave passage, as the old teachers incorrectly thought and hence caused students to incorrectly execute the passage. To attempt any setting or "fixation" of the fingers, would only result in stiff fingers and hands, unable to do their work, and a stiff forearm unable to fulfill its required motion. Nowadays, however, every student can and should be directly taught this "great secret" of gliding along the surface of the keyboard, and for each octave remaking a momentary rotational exertion towards the keyboard to help the momentary finger-and-hand exertions.

We realize, then, that not only is there no "finger technique" without hand- and arm assistance, in some form or other, but also, that the forearm rotatory help must always be provided for every note played, whatever the form of touch used. Or, we might go even further, and define "Finger" passagework as consisting of:
"Individually applied forearm-rotation impulses transmitted to the keyboard through the exertion of the finger and hand for each note, that is:

1. Forearm-rotational and
2. hand and finger impulses

must be accurately timed for each key-descent, and optionally helped by the other arm elements when required.
So-called "Finger-work" is never finger-exertion only, but always implies finger-exertions either invisibly or visibly backed by forearm rotative stresses and hand-exertions, along with the other arm elements, when and where required.