Left hand waltz technique

[theodore]

My question is :

How can I increase the accuracy of my left hand in playing the large reaches required for the first beat of most waltzes ?  Beats 2 and 3 are easier since they are usually in the middle register of the piano.

My accuracy is worst when playing first beats on the white keys without looking at my left hand.  The black keys such as B flat and E flat are much easier to locate.  Are there any tips for such white key reaches, both in single tones or in octaves ??

Any help would be appreciated...

Theodore

[wotgoplunk]

Eyeball the note beforehand. Typically the third chord won't require all that much change in hand position, so it gives you some time to spot it, and get down there. In that way, you can see exactly where you're going to hit. It might require some muscle memory for the second chords though. Ensure you don't take off too early from the third chord or it will become detached. Just look for it first and hit is at the same time as usual.

Also, I find moving your whole arm down helps. That way your arm and the piano keys are perpendicular. Makes it easier to hit the notes right on, otherwise your hand is kind of twisted.

[mike_lang]

Also, I find moving your whole arm down helps. That way your arm and the piano keys are perpendicular. Makes it easier to hit the notes right on, otherwise your hand is kind of twisted.

Yes, and the movement should be slightly elliptical, rather than a straight horizontal shift.  In other words, the movement arcs toward you as you leave the bass note, and arcs toward the fallboard as you leave the third beat.  I've found this to be dramatically more accurate than a strict quick shift.

Best,
ML

[steve jones]

I find that working hands seperately is essential. I practice going from the bass note to the chord, in isolation before putting it into the progression. Also, playing the upper chords alone omitting the bass note. That can help.

Another thing is to get your hand in place before actually hitting the keys. Some pianists seem to bounce from chord to chord, but Im sure they must be 'getting there' moments before. I always try to do this, to just touch the keys and know that Im in place before I play the notes.

SJ

[mike_lang]

Another thing is to get your hand in place before actually hitting the keys.

This is of the utmost importance - I find that this, coupled with the circular motion of which I spoke, allows for a great deal of accuracy.  When these shifts are fast, sometimes it is difficult to be in position well before the note is to be struck, and rather, the bass note must be played while the arm is in motion.  I find, in my own experience, that the halting above the key which often follows a quick shift, if improperly done, can cause a slight bit of tension which is enough to cause a mistake.  Nevertheless, prepare - always!

Well said, Steve.

Best,
ML

[thierry13]

Yes, and the movement should be slightly elliptical, rather than a straight horizontal shift.  In other words, the movement arcs toward you as you leave the bass note, and arcs toward the fallboard as you leave the third beat.  I've found this to be dramatically more accurate than a strict quick shift.

Best,
ML

You are actually doing the inverse of what you should be doing. The movement should arc towards the strings when you leave the bass note and arcs toward you when you leave the third chord to go reach the bass note.

This is of the utmost importance - I find that this, coupled with the circular motion of which I spoke, allows for a great deal of accuracy. When these shifts are fast, sometimes it is difficult to be in position well before the note is to be struck, and rather, the bass note must be played while the arm is in motion. I find, in my own experience, that the halting above the key which often follows a quick shift, if improperly done, can cause a slight bit of tension which is enough to cause a mistake. Nevertheless, prepare - always!

Well said, Steve.

Best,
ML

It's not even a question of accuracy, it's a question of sound. If you're hitting the note with your whole arm movement that you began when leaving the other chord, the sound will be harsh, you won't have time to get the proper weigth/attack speed you need to articulate the note as it should. If you're allready there, then you can hit the note corretly.

[theodore]

Wotgoplunk

Your idea about playing the third beat chord and then quickly eyeballing the lower first beat note works extremely well in gaining accuracy. The second and third beat chords are not that much trouble for me. This eyeballing is an extremely good idea and leaves nothing to chance.

Michael Langlois
Your suggestion of moving toward the first beat elliptically gets really you there faster and with less tension than a straight sideways movement.  However, when I arc towards the lower first beat note,  my left arm and hand seem to gravitate towards the outer edge of the white keys  as Thierry13 has suggested.

[mike_lang]

Michael Langlois
Your suggestion of moving toward the first beat elliptically gets really you there faster and with less tension than a straight sideways movement.  However, when I arc towards the lower first beat note,  my left arm and hand seem to gravitate towards the outer edge of the white keys  as Thierry13 has suggested.

Hmm...I seem to be the oddball - I tried it the other way (the inversion of my arc), but it just doesn't work as well with my physiology, it seems.  Nevertheless, circular seems to be preferable to straight away, as the former is more efficient in having continued motion, whilst the latter requires two breaks in the motion per "waltz unit".

Best,
ML