Playing Staccato

[princessdecadence]

Been having problem with playing staccato properly.  I use to think that I'm doing it correctly but when I'm playing fast and light type of staccato like in some parts of Chopin Nocturne (op. 9 no. 2) my fingers tend to stumble over one another and end up playing either wrong notes or repeating the same note twice at some point.  I am used to playing the first staccato bath (bar 25) legato - which is technically wrong but it sounds much better when I'm playing.

Any suggestions?

[fuel925]

If you think a particular section of music sounds better legato, rather than staccato, then by all means play it legato. Remember YOU are the interpreter.

[bearzinthehood]

If it's written staccato then it means play it staccato.  It can't be any clearer than that.

[princessdecadence]

If you think a particular section of music sounds better legato, rather than staccato, then by all means play it legato. Remember YOU are the interpreter.

I always like the way it sounds legato so I'll keep on doing that unless I'm doing that as an exam piece. 

@Bearz - I will have to learn how to play it staccato most definitely just to be correct.

But no one really answers my question nor have given me tips on how to play staccato correctly which is what I'm seeking

[fuel925]

If it's written staccato then it means play it staccato.  It can't be any clearer than that.

Have you never heard of interpretation? Freedom for the performer? Listen to 3 different recordings of the same piece and you will find they are all different, due to the performers interpretation.

[fuel925]

Been having problem with playing staccato properly.  I use to think that I'm doing it correctly but when I'm playing fast and light type of staccato like in some parts of Chopin Nocturne (op. 9 no. 2) my fingers tend to stumble over one another and end up playing either wrong notes or repeating the same note twice at some point.  I am used to playing the first staccato bath (bar 25) legato - which is technically wrong but it sounds much better when I'm playing.

Any suggestions?

In answer to your question, maybe you need to go back to basics with those particular sections. Slow the problem sections right down, playing HS, and first learn to play staccato without mistakes. Then you can bring it up to speed and you should find there is a marked improvement. Also check your fingering, find something that is more comfortable, something that will help your fingers fall into place with minimal stumbling.

[bearzinthehood]

Have you never heard of interpretation? Freedom for the performer? Listen to 3 different recordings of the same piece and you will find they are all different, due to the performers interpretation.

Interpretation doesn't give you freedom to change the score.  You interpret the score, not butcher it with random changes.

[cfortunato]

[[Interpretation doesn't give you freedom to change the score.]]

Well, maybe.  But remember that editors do, and they do all the time and drastically.

Another edition of the same piece may not show it staccato, and I am often amazed at how freely editors are in "correcting" composers.  Placing crescendo, and pianos and sforzandos where there are none in the originals.

So, if editors can do it - why can't you?

[quantum]

Maybe try making a smaller more decicive movment with your staccato.  I find this happens to me too if I am thinking too much about the staccato aspect of playing. 

Play staccato but use firm fingers and hover them above the keys you intend to play.  You are probably tripping over your fingers because they are making too much unnecessary movement. 

[bearzinthehood]

[[Interpretation doesn't give you freedom to change the score.]]
So, if editors can do it - why can't you?

I never said editors should be able to do whatever they want.  IMO the job of the editor is to look at all of the available sources and accurately portray what he believes to be the composer's intent.  Here the composer clearly intended staccato.  You can play it legato if you want, but I wouldn't call it interpretation.  I would call it changing the score.

[danyal]

Interpretation doesn't give you freedom to change the score.  You interpret the score, not butcher it with random changes.

Not playing a staccato is hardly butchering the piece. An example of a butchered piece: I played Chopin nocturne op 72 no 1, from sheet music I found on a site I am not going to name. I had it perfect. I got to my friends house, played it to her, and she asked me what the hell I was doing. The editors had changed, and added, NOTES! Not just one, or two, but all through the piece! Obviously editors are not all they're cracked up to be, huh? There is a fine line between interpretation and changing the score, yes, and imo, a staccato is very much part of the interpretation's side.

IMO the job of the editor is to look at all of the available sources and accurately portray what he believes to be the composer's intent.

Thats EXACTLY what the performers job is too!! But let me guess... the editors are trained professionals with degrees? And all the rest of us mere pianists know nothing I suppose...

[bearzinthehood]

Thats EXACTLY what the performers job is too!! But let me guess... the editors are trained professionals with degrees? And all the rest of us mere pianists are just morons who know nothing I suppose...

You clearly misread my post.  I didn't say editors had special prerogative, in fact I said the exact opposite...

Look, you can play whatever passage you want differently from what is clearly indicated by the composer.  But if you play it in front of me I will assert, correctly, that you changed the score (assuming that I'm familiar with the passage).

[ludwig]

ahmmm..hehe back to staccato

in the syllabus I'm teaching, scales are required to be played with staccato both fast and slow. I have heaps of students coming to me with different kinds of staccatos and thus realised that there isn't a set way of how to do staccato, but ALOT of ways to play them.

there are three parts where you can move when you create staccato, fingers, wrists and arms, and the combinations of the movements can also create different effects. If you use only finger staccato with no wrist or arm movement then you create a clean, more precise and static staccato. If you use wrists with a bit of finger movement then a lighter sound is produced, more..bouncy i suppose. If you use the arm movement only you create a heavy, thudding staccato, very useful when you have octave loud, forced, marcato double octaves in staccato. However, I suppose the only rule of staccato movement is not to use all three movements at the same time, this could leave to strain and a stressed sound, not very natural. Of course there are other combinations, you just have to experiment to get the sound you want for a specific passage or piece. goodluck =)

[princessdecadence]

Thank you kindly Ludwig, your reply was very helpful.  I find it much easier to play the finger staccato, the wrists is also fine but the arms staccato didn't produce a good sound.  I'll have a few tries of all 3 types on the passage and I'll see which one will suit me best.  (I have a feeling it's going to be the fingers)