Playing Debussy's Clair De Lune

Hello Fabrizio. I'm not great at reading sheet music, especially piano, so I had this question... On measure 10 of Clair de Lune, the left hand begins on the first beat with a Gb-Db third held for 6 counts and then goes up to (within the same measure) a chord consisting of (left to right) Db-Gb-Bb-Db which is held for (if I'm reading correctly) 8 counts! So, number one, how can there be more than 9 (quarter-note) counts within the same measure if the time signature is 9/8 (and the measure indicates no time signature change)? The other thing, which is somewhat related is, if somehow I am supposed to play the beginning third of Gb-Db and hold it while playing the other chord I just mentioned, this would require me to use my right hand fingers as well, but that would then make it impossible to play the chord in the right hand that the top staff calls for. So, I hope I was able to communicate what I mean and if you need clarification please let me know and I'll try to explain better. I am just mystified as to how I would play this.

Thanks very much,
GIL

Hello GIL.

I understand your question, and the answer to both is: use the pedal! bar 10 like all the subsequent ones, are correctly 9/8 bars. The only "error" could be the lower chord Gb-Db which should be tied to a dotted quarter to read it clearer, but unfortunately that's how Debussy wrote it

In other words, here is how to play it: you play the first lower chord with your left hand and with the sustain pedal (Gb-Db), then play the next chord always with your left hand (Db-Gb-Bb-Db).

Please, let me know if you need further help, I will be happy to assist you.

Thank you again!

Sincerely,

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Fabrizio Ferrari, CEO
Virtual Sheet Music, Inc.
Classical Sheet Music Downloads®

Fabrizio, that explains it! Thanks very much!

You are very welcome! Glad to help

All the best,

__________________
Fabrizio Ferrari, CEO
Virtual Sheet Music, Inc.
Classical Sheet Music Downloads®