Mano sinistra

As Printed on a Score

Printed at a note or passage (m.s., M.S.) to have it taken by the left hand — notes on the upper staff, a crossing, or a passage for the left hand alone. It applies to the marked notes, or to a whole passage when printed at its head. French scores use m.g., German l.H.

Abbreviations: m.s., M.S., m. s.

How Composers Use It

Use it when the left hand must take what looks like right-hand material — a treble melody note, a leap over the other hand — so the player sees the intended choreography at a glance. Written in full at the start of a passage, mano sinistra can assign a whole line to the left hand. In mixed-language editions, remember that m.s. is the Italian form only.

Example

Hensel, “Die Mainacht”, from her 6 Lieder, Op. 9, piano, m. 1: “mano sinistra”, printed with “Andante” at the start of the accompaniment.

Related Terms