Playing evenly

[henrah]

I have found that I can't play very evenly. If you listen to the slow third section in my own composition I posted in the audition room, you'll hear me miss a couple of notes in the LH from playing too quietly.

However, I have found that when I play pieces that involve a lot of dynamic change, or when my interpretation involves quite frequent dynamic change, I can play quite well. I find it very easy to achieve a smooth crescendo or diminuendo, but hard to keep an even level.


I think I might start some Bach to work on my evenness (eveness? even-ness??),
Henrah

[rc]

...Are you talking about evenness of dynamics?

I can't think of much off the top of my head that doesn't sound better with continually flowing dynamics, than even dynamics.

But I am familiar with your problem of sometimes missing notes from trying to play too softly. The best solution I found was to practice as softly as possible, using your ear and hands to find the softest touch you can get away with, and from that base of control it's easy to add more force. After a week or two of practicing nearly everything incredibly soft, you will develop some excellent dynamic control.

What I found was more difficult to control were the shifting hand positions, like in an arpeggio, sometimes a thumb or finger will come down very quickly and make a clunky loud note. Playing softly will make these stand out even more, and is a good way to remedy that.

...and for gods sake don't make the piano sound like a harpsichord! Bach sounds great with flowing dynamics.

[steve jones]

Do some Bach. I used to be same, couldnt play evenly in term of timing and dynamics. The Bach Inventions demand this in some quite tricky passage work (in two and three parts). If you can sort these out, your problems should be gone.

SJ

[henrah]

Ok, cheers for the advice guys!

Much appreciated,
Henrah