Dynamics

[RiskyP]

Ok this is going to be a wierd one... I am self-taught largely and I have never 'really' learned the differences between dynamics. I know the markings and what they mean, but I have only heard most of the pieces that I play on recordings. The thing is, the first movement of the moonlight sonata starts pianissimo and on almost all recordings it sounds very quiet. But at a real piano, when I try to play very softly without using the soft-pedal (I don't like how it changes the tone) a lot of the times, the hammers don't even reach teh strings or I simply can't play THAT soft (even with the soft-pedal).

My question is: could it be that my idea of pianissimo is flawed because recordings are not like real pianos... or do I just suck at playing pianissimo - any tips for playing softly with good tone?!    

[NetherMagic]

RiskyP I'm not an expert at this but maybe your keys are very stiff/light so its hard playing pianissimo?  Or since you're self taught, you might not know different ways and technique to playing the piano to get the style you want

Well i'll just tell you how I play pianissimo since everyone's style is different.  When I need to play a very soft part, I usually instead of the standard way of getting your fingers into an arch and hitting it on the tip of your finger right underneath your nails, I sometimes tend to straighten them out a bit but not too much, and then I tend to play it as if my fingers are sliding off the keyboard, works for me if its slow and quiet.  

If it's fast, you have to play "light" as in don't put your finger entirely down when playing but just enough to play a sound, as if you're tip toeing your fingers very lightly and only playing a tip of the note.

Well I'm not sure if my descriptions are very clear but I hope you understand them.

If you are lacking the technique to do it, just try playing one key to the softest.  If you can do that, then I'm guessing chances are that your technique needs to be refined more.  Otherwise if you can't even play it soft when focusing on one key, iunno, something wrong with your piano?  Get a regulation check-up?

newayz, good luck on your self study

[RiskyP]

Yes, that is precisely the way I play moonlight, with relativey very falt fingers and so they are kind of gliding off the keys (as you said). It is as soft as I can get it - I see the hammmers moving in front of me and if I go any softer they don't touch anymore - but my problem is: am I really playing pianissimo?! I mean, I have never heard these peices performed in front of me by a teacher or performer. And on recordings they sound much much softer... (except for horowitz's rendition).

I think I am playing it the right way... but you never know unless you record yourself and I don't have the option to do that.

You're right, I don't have the required technique to control my dynamics well enough - that is, not at fast tempos (pretty good at slow ones). Anyway, I will start learning the second movement now and eventually the third... that'll be the day!  

[NetherMagic]

RiskyP if you cant compare your playing to the recording by yourself, you can always see if you have any friends that know relatively more about music (make sure its classical music) than the general majority and then ask them to come with you and play for them, then let them listen to the recording.

my 2 cents  

[RiskyP]

I was thinking just that... BUT, this will be my very first performance in front of others... especially if i perform for my friends who are at a much more advanced level - I am damn nervous about screwing up.

[NetherMagic]

haha yeah i know EXACTLY how you feel (check my post "Performing Difficulties" )

newayz the more perforamnces you go through the more exp and better you'll get at it.  and try to be confident.

[Hmoll]

When you play softly you still have to play all the way to the bottom of the keys, the same as when you play loudly. The difference is the speed at which you are approaching the keys is much slower. Your technique should be relaxed, transferring weight from the shoulders to the fingers, but applying that weight slower than you would if you are playing a loud passage.
Your fingers should neither be in an extreme curve or flat. They should be in a relaxed curve as if you are holding a ball.  Trying to play without sinking to the bottom of the keys will result in a shallow and uneven sound. You will have much more control over dynamics and the ability to bring out the melody, if you play with relaxed weight from the shoulders all the way to the bottom of the keys. Also, your overall sound will be much better - not superficial.

Also, don't try to compare your dynamics with a recording. You will never know how loud the player actually played in the studio.

[88keys]

RiskyP, perhaps your CD player (or the recording itself) is set to a volume softer than a real piano?

An easy way to check this, is to compare the very loud passages from the disc to your own piano:

Assuming the CD has the entire Moonlight Sonata on it, listen to the final fortissimo chords of the 3rd movement (Presto agitato). Then bang the same chords on your piano (be sure to make them staccato, as they are played in the recording).

If your piano can produce a chord much louder than the recorded chords ending the 3rd movement, then there is nothing wrong with your pianissimo playing: You are simply listening to the CD on a volume lower than a real piano.