Prokofiev Sonata no.2 Scherzo

[ilikepie]

Straight to the point, I'm having problems with increasing the speed to performance level... Any advices? I can play it relatively perfect in a slower tempo, but... when I reach a certain tempo, I sorta lose everything, especially in measure 9-16...  Worse thing is, the competition is tomorrow, and I don't feel like I'm gonna make it. What should I do along with slow practice?

[m]

The first thing to do is not to panic (I feel you do), but with very cold head to analyze WHY it does not work. It is hard to say without seeing what you are doing there, but my guess is you are playing it "digging" into chords too much, and on forte.
What's happening, your fingers get "stuck" in the keys, hands become as a "stone" and it is very hard to play this way.

Lighten up the chords and relax your fingers/wrist and don't afraid anything.
That's about the best you can do a day before the competition.


Good luck.

[ilikepie]

I guess I have been digging in too much into the chords. I've tried to make the right hand chords lighter while emphasizing the left hand "melody", It sounds much better but still not perfect.. I guess only practice is in order. Thanks And, I've decided to play it at a slightly slower but more manageable tempo.

[m]

I've decided to play it at a slightly slower but more manageable tempo.

Great idea! Remember that slower, but very stable tempo in fact, acoustically sounds faster and much more controlled.

Good luck!

[imbetter]

i LOVE this sonata. I've been practicing scriabin sonata no5 recently and ive fallen into the same type of problem, ive been digging into cords. when i find a solution ill tell you