i play too fast :*(

[MISSCHEVIOUS121]

hi
im new to your message board. i have been playing piano since i was about 3. Now im 18. I have taken a break for awhile and am planning on getting back into things but more seriously this time. I dont currently have a teacher but am planning on it when i get the money. However i was in lessons for about 8years. My biggest problem was always that i would play the piece too quickly. it just didnt seem to sound right when it was at the same tempo throughtout the whole song, it seemed like some of the pieces were meant to be played at somewhat of a quicker pace. I was just wondering is that too presumtious of me or do any of you adjust the tempo on certain pieces??? advice would be much appreciated. Thanks .

[rachfan]

There is some reasonable flexibility on tempo markings.  For example, if you compare a symphony performance conducted by four different conductors, chances are the elasped time will differ among them by a few minutes.  Same for four pianists playing a lengthy piece.  The reason is that a tempo is not absolute, meaning that largo falls within an acceptable range, as does andante, allegro, etc.  So you would be within your interpretive rights to lean slightly toward the faster or slower end of the range WITHIN the tempo.  However, you should be generally guided by performance practices.  If most pianists customarily play a piece, say at 60 on the metronome, you cannot logically elect to play it at 86.  These decisions have to be judicious.  Bach is somewhat of an exception, as he didn't specify tempo markings, leaving it up to the performer to decide.  

Also, you ought not be varying tempo (with the exception of rubato effects where you're accelerating only to compensate with a ritardando), unless the composer has explicitly given a new tempo marking at some point in the piece.

Your habit of "always playing too fast" worries me, because it suggests that you'll consign yourself to only half of the piano repertoire--pieces of fast tempi.  I get the impression that you have great difficulty playing the lyrical side of the repertoire well, as that music can never be rushed without destroying the spell.  So, for instance, in playing Brahms Short Pieces, you would be drawn only to the Caprici, while ignoring the Intermezzi.  That could be very limiting for you, unless you can somehow control the impulse to fly through everything.  

[MISSCHEVIOUS121]

You're correct about me limiting myself if i dont work hard to fix this, so i dusted off my metronome last night and started off with a beethoven sonata for practice. thanks for the advice

[rachfan]

You're welcome!