Pieces to help with speed

[fuel925]

Hi,
     I'm looking for some Romantic era pieces that will help build my speed. I tend to shy away from pieces that specify "Allegro" "Vivace" "Presto" "Agitato" etc, and gravitate towards "Lento" and "Adagio". This is ok, except my repetoire is severely lacking in quick pieces. I think some Bach and early Beethoven will help, but I would like some Romantic pieces to help me with this. Grades 6-8 standard would be good, thanks for your suggestions!

[nanabush]

Try some of the Chopin preludes... short pieces, alot of them have fast tempo markings, just stay away from number 16 and 19.

[kd]

Try some of the Chopin preludes... short pieces, alot of them have fast tempo markings, just stay away from number 16 and 19

and 8 and 24. Try 10, 11, 18, 22.

Chopin E minor waltz is also good.

[sharon_f]

Not sure what grade they are but two immediately come to mind: "Spinning Song" from Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words and Schumann's "Aufschwung".

[elevateme_returns]

the schumann is grade 8 abrsm

[elevateme_returns]

and 8 and 24. Try 10, 11, 18, 22.

Chopin E minor waltz is also good.

8 isnt so bad if you learn it properly. it fits the hand

[nightingale11]

You already have speed, It is not something you build up. Speed comes with correct practice/studying with pieces. To be able to play fast you need to have a good memory of the piece and a technique(for the piece) that allows it.

and for correct practice have a look here:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5767.msg56133.html#msg56133
(huge collection of links)

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,9159.msg92755.html#msg92755
(m1469s index of the forum)

[nanabush]

Raw technical stuff helps too... do loads of scales/broken chords/ arpeggio configurations.  Seriously, it helps with playing in all keys, your hand will be able to fit itself appropriately if you're playing in Eb major suddenly switching to Eb minor.  SCALES!!!

[steinwaymodeld]

Hi,
     I'm looking for some Romantic era pieces that will help build my speed. I tend to shy away from pieces that specify "Allegro" "Vivace" "Presto" "Agitato" etc, and gravitate towards "Lento" and "Adagio". This is ok, except my repetoire is severely lacking in quick pieces. I think some Bach and early Beethoven will help, but I would like some Romantic pieces to help me with this. Grades 6-8 standard would be good, thanks for your suggestions!

grade 6-8 em...

i think for scale and run schubert impromtu op.90 no.2 would be good
and RH broken chord and re-config of them would be op.90 no.4

u may want to try a chopin waltz, even though i think they are generally harder than the prior two.

[lazlo]

Check out some of the rachmaninoff préludes (i.e. op3 #2) for getting some right hand agility/speed. Also Schubert Impromptu op.90 #2. I know these are both played a lot, but they are a lot of fun, and do help a LOT with right hand speed. As far as left hand speed/agility, I have one word: Bach. And I mean, bach for right hand to. Bach is great for just coordination in general. And when you are coordinated, you can play faster. It sort of depends on your level...

[mycrabface]

Hi,
     I'm looking for some Romantic era pieces that will help build my speed. I tend to shy away from pieces that specify "Allegro" "Vivace" "Presto" "Agitato" etc, and gravitate towards "Lento" and "Adagio". This is ok, except my repetoire is severely lacking in quick pieces. I think some Bach and early Beethoven will help, but I would like some Romantic pieces to help me with this. Grades 6-8 standard would be good, thanks for your suggestions!

Since you like adagio, which is quite slow, you can expand your rep by learning classical pieces, by mozart, beethoven, etc, becaues they're at a moderate tempo, then you can progress to faster pieces like etudes. Maybe try fast waltzes before etudes.

[amelialw]

try chopin's etudes

[richard black]

Alkan Op. 39 (minor key studies) no. 1, 'Comme le vent'. Nail that b****** and there's not much wrong with your right hand speed at any rate! (and then mug up the left hand with the Chopin/Godowsky LH studies :-)

[rach n bach]

Where's comme the one time you need him

[cloches_de_geneve]

Some chopin etudes might be in your range, perhaps the comparatively easy 10/5 or 25/2, just learn the notes and try to get half-tempo first then 2/3.

[amelialw]

hmm, it seems like chopin's etude op.10 no.8 has been neglected nowadays, haven't heard of anyone who really wants to learn it.Im learning it right now and it really helps your hands to move faster.

[pita bread]

Alkan Op. 39 (minor key studies) no. 1, 'Comme le vent'. Nail that b****** and there's not much wrong with your right hand speed at any rate! (and then mug up the left hand with the Chopin/Godowsky LH studies :-)

The ultimate Alkan speed etude for both hands is Op. 76 #3

[cloches_de_geneve]

hmm, it seems like chopin's etude op.10 no.8 has been neglected nowadays, haven't heard of anyone who really wants to learn it.Im learning it right now and it really helps your hands to move faster.

Agreed. 10/8 is a great etude, it has also helped me a lot, but it's not among the easier of the 24, so I would not recommend it unless you are pretty advanced.

[amelialw]

perhaps you might want to try Mendelssohn

[dnephi]

Maybe you should get a Czerny book and work through it.

Dan