question from my student

[wenat]

My student is struggling with the D major section of Beethoven's Rondo in A (WoO49) with the thirds and has to slow down the tempo a lot.  I've already told her it's OK....but she also wants some other professional opinions as well....she's preparing for a competition at the mo.  Also, what is a good way to help her develop her technique in playing thirds?  Thanks
Wenat

[faulty_damper]

She's probably attempting to play it by using her fingers which is why she is held down to a crawl.  If she's been struggling with this for more than a week or so, then she is not practicing correctly, id est: investigative practice.  She's either is in a rush to play it and thus not practicing correctly or her mental inhibitions (preconcieved notions) prevent her from learning the correct movements even if she accidentally did the correct thing.

The best way to develop her technique is to use the passage with thirds and practice correctly.  I really don't see why this section is a problem.  It's only one bar long and it repeats thrice.  Once the first bar is learned the rest should be a piece of cake.

Is her forearm aligned in relation to the black and white keys?  Is her wrist constantly adjusting as she plays the black/white - white-white keys?  Is she using the most efficient fingers?  If she is starting bar 61 with fingers 3 & 1 she probably isn't using very efficient fingerings.  Try 4 & 2.

[wenat]

It definitely is more of a mental inhibition than anything else, I've gone through the fingering with her in detail.She's ok at a slower speed but cannot get that section to be the same tempo as the opening A major theme.  Practicing is obviously a problem...ie not enough!!  Ocassionaly I let her read this forum with me.....so perhaps seeing it come from other professionalys will give her the push she needs!  Thanks