Stiff Keys

[tompilk]

What can I do to help me play on a piano at school? Its a kawai and the keys feel soo tough to press it's like the action has been soaked in glue!
I can play this piece for a concert tomorrow, at home, but i tried at school today and it is impossible to play fast and intricate passages! Either any technique advice or help qwould be greatly appreciated!
Or maybe I shoudl say im playing something else...
 (im playing a portion of Alkan's Op 39 No. 2)
Thanks,
tom

[tompilk]

urgent!
The only alternative would be to play pathetique movt 3 - but that would probably throw up the same stiffness problems! I'm in a quandry!
Tom

[quantum]

Older model Kawais are known for such stiffness problems.  I remember playing an R (something) 7 foot in university.  Felt stiff as a rock, but had gorgeous tone.  Newer models I've tried seem to have less stiffness problems, probably due to the introduction of the M3 action. 

You may not be able to play with lots of dynamic contrasts.  Just tone down the loud parts, and use light finger action.  Careful not to strain the wrists trying to get tone out of a heavy piano.  Go with light finger work.  You may need to revise your piece so the loudest thing you play is mp and adjust all other dynamics relative to that loud point. 

[lostinidlewonder]

I had a very similar problem when I played for a school concert years ago. The piano I played on (I can't remember its make, something obscure) had such a heavy action that to play even a scale was an effort! I decided to play mainly chordal pieces i.e: Chopin's Funeral March and Scriabin's C# Minor Etude Op2 No 1. Beethoven's Patheique 3rd movement is full of single note runs so you are setting urself up there I reckon.

[alzado]

When a person plays a lot -- like, 1-1/2 hrs or more a day -- week in and week out -- it seems like all that playing strengthens your hands.

I've played a lot for years.  I'm sure I could play that piano.  I would just use more strength and force.

But -- I probably would NOT like it.   I don't blame you for your unhappiness with it.

Did you talk to the school music teacher?  What did she say about it?

[gyzzzmo]

If you dont find it comfortable enough to play that piece on that piano, then play another one. You'll feel like crap if you played it badly and if you start complaining about the piano afterwards, people will think youre a cheap and bad piano-player because youre blaming the piano.

[tompilk]

Hi all,
I went along and practised it from the end of school until the concert (3.30pm to 7.00pm) and had half an hour rest and I'd gained enough confidence to play it. I still had my doubts when I went up but I did it and did my best. It turned out to be a success and the fast sections were not bad at all! I'm sure the practise did me lots and lots of good! I'm just extremely lucky that i had a chance to do this. If I couldn't practise I would have chickened out and played some slow Chopin preludes probably.
I'm getting a dictaphone as soon as it comes through Xmas post, so I'll post a recording on my own piano when it comes.
Thanks all,
Tom

Oh and I talked to my piano teacher and he agreed that the piano is stiff. He said the Yamaha upright in the lunch hall is a better piano...