tension

[rachmanny]

Hello, ive only had a teacher for an accumulative time of one year but im in level 5 and have been studying myself so the main problem when i play fantasie impromtu(chopin) is tension.
i can do the piece ok but i want to know the key to relaxation and how i can build up to play fast pieces while being totally relaxed in the arm, wrist and shoulders.

thanks, rachmanny     

[jeremyjchilds]

THere is a lot to be said for the way you approach the piano.

It is possibe to actually physically relax yourself before playing. Walk up to the piano as though it was an old friend. Sit down, drop your shoulders, put your fingers onto the little ledge below the keys and move your wrist up and down to feel the movement. It is obvious, but have you simply tried relaxing? (P.S. don't drink coffee if you want to relax...)

To really know, though, I would have to watch you play.

Make sure you are not in over your head, because trying to play too fast too soon is a leading cause of tension...

Maybe you are not ready for the fant imp. (Do you feel the same tension when you play a clementi sonatina?..)

THere are other people here who are experts in this area, so wait untill they show up before drawing any conclusions from my post.

[xvimbi]

THere are other people here who are experts in this area, so wait untill they show up before drawing any conclusions from my post.

We would be waiting forever for those...

Bernhard is soon going to present you with a list of links for you to read. In the meantime, you could search the forum for "tension". There is a lot of material. Don't hesitate to ask if certain aspects you are struggling with haven't been covered.

[pianistimo]

i agree with all posts so far.  and, to add my own two cents, i was watching an old bruce lee film in which he explained his version of 'kung fu' (vs. karate).  you know, in the 70's and 80's the rage for kids to do karate.  well, he said that it was bunk.  you don't want to do 10 moves on a person before you chop.  he debunked it all by proving that you use minimal movement really quick and do it in one fell swoop. 

piano is like that.  like a sport.  you practice and practice relaxing and using minimal movements.  in fact, if you exercise, it is a good way to learn relaxation.  you don't try to do the hardest moves first, but you warm up and gradually get more relaxed as your nerves work quicker and your muscles get used to what you are telling them to do.  if i understand my teacher's advice correctly - it all starts in the neck and back.  if you have good posture you are helping yourself 100%.  if your bench is too low or high, you are starting out with stress in your back.

then, you learn to place your hand and play easier music (as the clementi suggested , or mozart, or whatever) and get used to the feeling of being relaxed.  then, as you try faster music you become closer and closer to the keys (instead of struggling).  move your hands as your fingers move to make the reaches easier for the fingers (instead of stretching so much).  and, watch your elbows.  are they sticking out.  this is bad.  let them drop naturally to your sides.  let your arm follow your hand.  in terms of the bruce lee stuff, i would say that what i have learned is to trust your instincts and not how you think something is supposed to be.  each of bruce lee's students was individual and didn't teach exactly the way he did, but their own versions.  they each took away something different and unique.  your playing should allow you to express yourself and not just a technique.

[thierry13]

Hello, ive only had a teacher for an accumulative time of one year but im in level 5 and have been studying myself so the main problem when i play fantasie impromtu(chopin) is tension.
i can do the piece ok but i want to know the key to relaxation and how i can build up to play fast pieces while being totally relaxed in the arm, wrist and shoulders.

thanks, rachmanny     

You have to get rest points. They are the key. Whenever your hand is not active, may it be a fraction of a second, rest your wrist/arm/fingers. Remove all possible tensions, as fast as possible. This is the main key to piano playing.

[rachmanny]

one more thing. what about octave staccattos? do they have to be played with a tense arm or only the wrist?  and what about when you have to play fast notes while doing these staccattos and doing long distances

rachmanny