rapidly repeating the same note

[timothy42b]

I have just now run into this problem in one of my lesson pieces.

For the first time, my ability is limited by my lack of dexterity instead of my lack of coordination.  <grin> 

I've done a search, without much luck.

Do you have any advice for playing the same note very quickly?  Does the hand move laterally while the fingers alternate, or does it rock back and forth?  Do you practise various patterns - 321, 432, etc.?  And in groupings of two notes, three, four, etc.?  Should fingers curl more, or be more flat? 

Thanks for any suggestions. 

[xvimbi]

You listed a few possibilities. I suggest you try them and convince yourself whether they are useful or not. For example, see for yourself how easy it is to move your fingers up and down rapidly when they are flat versus when they are curled.

With respect to involving the hand, you will probably find that movements in and out of the keyboard, lateral movements, rotations in the wrist, up and down bouncing as well as forearm rotation all play a role, but you will have to find for yourself how much of each component is right for you. This also depends on the desired frequency. You may also find that having the hand not parallel to the keys, but at an angle, works better, because the fingertips are then already naturally closer to the key in question. You also don't have to strike the key at exactly the same spot with every finger.

Start slowly and with complete control and a minimum amount of tension and increase the frequency gradually. Make sure you can count the notes; in a real piece, they have to be rhythmically correct anyway.

Sorry to give you a general answer, but I think there is no single solution that will work for everyone.