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Topic: performing on heavy weighted pianos  (Read 1549 times)

Offline lau

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performing on heavy weighted pianos
on: September 30, 2008, 03:44:02 AM
Last Sunday I was invited to play a short recital after a church service. I don't have a very big repertoire, it basically consists of a couple etudes and showpeices. So I just played what i could, I started with chopin's  10/4.

As soon as I started i knew i was screwed. The keys were so thickly weighted, my hands were cold weak and trembly. It fell apart, and I aborted right before the middle section by flopping out some chord in c sharp minor. The piano was sucking the energy out of me. SO I played the rest of my recital horribly, stopping in the middle of everypeice..



So, i don't get it. Is this how it's always going to be? I am just hoping it's not my technique or something, well it's probably partly.  But it's mostly the piano's problem right? Does anybody else have trouble playing on these type pianos?
i'm not asian

Offline hyrst

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Re: performing on heavy weighted pianos
Reply #1 on: September 30, 2008, 08:33:55 AM
Heavy pianos require a different use of fingers and wrists - so it can be hard to transfer between very light keys and heavy keys, or vice versa.  That is normal and I believe everyone experiences this.  A highly skilled performer knows how to control performance, to increase movement or reduce weight where needed I understand.  A heavy piano demands more finger power, which can mean more strength and endurance and less wrist tension are needed than is often attained by practice on a lighter piano.  It also means a better understanding is needed of when to engage greater force and when to take a moment to relax and rest.  If you want to learn how to move between pianos, try practicing your techincal work with the practice pedal and then making necessary adjustments when releasing the pedal. 

Heavy pianos are hard work.  Stamina and technique can help you adjust.  If you know you are going to perform on one, avoid pieces that are fast and you will have more chance of seeing through your recital.  10.4 probably did you in for the entire recital.
 

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