mastering insanely fast passages

[liszmaninopin]

What is the most efficient technique you've found for mastering passages of music that are both very fast, very complex, and very uncomfortable under the fingers?  I've been trying the practice method involving little chunks played over again, but it isn't working very well; for the next week I'm going to try very slow practice, and see if that will make a difference.

[johnreef]

What is the most efficient technique you've found for mastering passages of music that are both very fast, very complex, and very uncomfortable under the fingers?  I've been trying the practice method involving little chunks played over again, but it isn't working very well; for the next week I'm going to try very slow practice, and see if that will make a difference.

It depends if the problem is of a physical or mental/nervous nature.

If you are physically equipped to play the passage, then it is probably a problem with the acquisition of the requisite reflexes necessary; these are best acheived by slow practice, and in patience. Fast practice will be of less use if you feel you already have the strenghth and flexibility that are needed.

If, however, the problem is that the passage is physically taxing or simply uncomfortable, consistant slow practice will provide at best a partial solution. Better to be patient with yourself and not force it. Allow time to bring you more pianistic skill--practice other things. If you are not ready to progess on this passage, it will not matter if you practice it 3 hours a day or three hours a month.

[donjuan]

johnreef knows what he is talking about.  but what I like to do when I encounter these places is to play certain phrases in short bursts, taking a long rest between chunks of music.  Do this for about 2 weeks- or however long it takes you to master the individual bursts of speed.  Then, begin to shorten the length of rest between episodes.  After a while, there will be no noticable break in the music for the audience, but in your mind, you are still playing shorts bursts, and it will be possible.
Which piece are you playing?
donjuan

[shas]

you can can play the sections in swing, backwards swing (as if you where starting on an offbeet) or any other rythms you come up with.

[liszmaninopin]

Thanks for all your suggestions!

I think I will stick with slow practice for this passage, as johnreef suggested.

donjuan, the piece is Violette's Sixth Sonata