Speed wall, and suggestion for pieces

[etcetra]

Hi, I have been learning these pieces..

Bach:Italian Concerto
Chopin Nocturne Op9 #1
Chopin Minute Waltz
Debussy Arabesque #1

I really didn't have any trouble learning them, except that I am having problem playing at tempo.  I guess my problem is that "my fingers are not strong enough" .. as some teachers would say.. the way i see it, my hands/fingers are having problems balancing/supporting the weight of my arm which is causing trouble playing evenly and accuratey when playing fast.  Its like you are walking and you are about to fall down on the ground because you are not balanced when you walk.. It seems like once i fix that problem i will have no problem playing at tempo.

Do you guys have any suggestion as to how to work on this problem?  what pieces do you guys recommend, considering the pieces i mentioned above was not a problem (except for speed).  And finally which of these pieces would be 'realistic' goal in the short them(within 1 yr)?

Chopin- Fantasie Impromtu
Chopin- Etude Op 10 #3
Chopin- Etude Op 25 #1
Barber- Excursions Op 20 1st mvt.
Ravel- Jeux d'eau
Ravel- Pavane pour une infante défunte
Brahms- Two Rhapsodies
Beethoven- Waldstein Sonata
Rachmaninoff Prelude C#minor
Schubert Impromptu Op 90 #2 & 4

[timothy42b]

One theory is that starting slowly and speeding up incrementally will inevitably build speed walls.

I don't think inevitably is true.  I don't think it is any higher than 99% of the time. 

A speed wall once thoroughly learned can be hard to get past.  Best to avoid it in the first place.  But once built, it can't be climbed; it must be jumped.

You have to play at or above tempo in small enough sections.  It might even be as small as two notes or two chords.  Then string them together.  Also see chang, he has some specific advice that may or may not help (chord attacks, etc.) 

[etcetra]

timothy42b,

thanks for your advice.. i used to think that building a piece "up to tempo" was the way to go, but I realized that it may not be helpful, because problems can emerge as you play faster, and those problem may not have been a problem at slower tempo.

The problem isn't so much that I can't play at speed, but that I have less control as i play faster which results in uneveness. to I noticed that a lot of my problem comes from inefficient use of 4th and 5th finger, my fingers are not doing good job supporting my arm-weight when i am moving from one note to the other.  I am noticing a 'weak tone' , meaning that i am not playing to the bottom of the key, esp on 4th and 5th finger.. I think these are the factors that are preventing me from playing efficeintly in speed. 

I've tried the chord attack approach, and most of my problem indicates what i've described & a lesser extent the thumbs "collasping" onto the piano.  I am guessing that its something that just takes time to adjust.. i think my old teacher once told me it took a while for him to be able to use those fingers efficently..

[j.s. bach the 534th]

for your last question, i'd say try the Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 3

[etcetra]

for your last question, i'd say try the Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 3

thanks.. I think the op 10 #3 seems manageble too, I am just worried about the middle section, it may take some time to get that in my hands.

[j.s. bach the 534th]

thanks.. I think the op 10 #3 seems manageble too, I am just worried about the middle section, it may take some time to get that in my hands.

I am learning it right now, and I see what you mean about the middle section. I just take it really slowly and learn a measure, then practice the whole thing, then learn another measure, practice the whole thing again, etc...