I Need Another Pair Of Eyes?!

[Ruro]

Hey all, I have finally hit this problem, which was bound to happen at SOME point, as at some point there would eventually be a piece that's fast and has both hands doing complex things. I mean, the Chopin Nocturne Op.9 No.2... right hand is doing most the work in the same place, which is probably the only reason why I seem to be handling it alright!!!

Point being, I have composed my own piece, there is ONE bit I cannot seem to get right. I have the left hand performing a scale crossing 2 octaves (or three if you include the extra C), and the right hand is performing a set of chords across 2 octaves, but they are not fast. Also they all strike when one of the left notes is played, so there's no weird time issue here, and not really any rush on the right hand.

NOW, how on Earth is this possible? Sorry, but to get round this problem in the past I have attempted to memorise the motions of the hand, so I don't have to look, but this is just too ugly :/ I don't have 4 eyes (despite my glasses) to watch both hands at the same time... I can do it slowly (about 1/3 the time by shifting eyes quickly), but... I have never been so frustrated in defeat, because I can just tell it isn't speeding up ANYTIME soon! I can play it in sections reasonably well, but this one bit seems like it will take months!?

I can never recall this actually being discussed to be honest, and I read this forum everyday *This is where I get flamed for somehow missing the thread that explains how to do this*
And no offense, but the whole keyboard mapping thing takes alot of time and stuff... I know about that, and simply I don't wanna wait 3 years or something to be able to play my piece

Sorry if that sounds like a rant, I'm just quite annoyed AND like thousands of forum posters keep proving, you just can't help but write it with the mood :/

EDIT: Wait... another thread says slowness is the key... I knew it was pointless making this thread, it's just gonna be the same old advice that everyone dishes you (and is sadly true), I need to spend AAAAAAAGES learning it slowly and building up speed, the joy ¬_¬
Infact ironically, he says it will be come ingrained.... this really isn't technique improvement, if you still need to do the same with every piece that involves complex movements on each hand!? Or if it is, it's friggin minute... minute... SMALL ¬_¬

[bernhard]

Answer no. 1: There are lots of blind pianists. If they can paly without seeing the keyboard, so can you. Train yourself to do it (it doesn't take that long - 2 or 3 days of fruestration and then suddenly you can do it - just go radical: only play the piano blindfolded otherwise the temptation to peep will be overwhelming and add 2 or 3 years to your 2 or 3 days blindfolded).

Answer no. 2: Use periferal vision. You will loose the sharp focus of the foveal vision, but you will gain an agle of 210 degrees (average) plus an uncanny facility to detect movement (which is why effective martial artists only use peripheral vision).

Answer no. 3: That one you can use straightaway: Look at the left hand while giving verbal commands (that is, saying mentallythe names of the notes) to the right hand. Read more about this option here:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2720.msg23353.html#msg23353
(How to practice aim and accuracy – looking at the LH and giving verbal instructions to the RH – Full discussion on left and right brain).



Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Ruro]

Ah Interesting methods.... which I'm sure work

I immediately consider Answer No.2, I know that has worked in the past for other things besides piano, but doesn't seem to work well for this :/ I think I'll try for No.1 first, I thought doing it blindfolded though would create lots of mistakes (to begin with) that could become ingrained, but I guess taking my time would solve that problem (and playing without looking would be SOOO helpful )

I'll try No.3 if that fails though Bernhard, thanks for your help! I'll put it to practise when I get home And thanks for the link!

[bernhard]

You are welcome