three-hand effect

Thalberg's signature illusion in which the melody appears to be played by a third, middle hand while the two actual hands provide accompaniment above and below. Achieved by placing the melody in the thumbs of both hands in the middle register while the right hand plays treble figuration and the left hand bass arpeggios.

The melody thumb notes must be held and slightly over-weighted against the surrounding figuration. Practise the melody alone first until it sings independently, then add the bass and treble layers at half volume. The listener should hear three simultaneous textural layers with the melody always dominant.