Sempre tremolando

[pianovirus]

I'm asking about chord tremoli, i.e. fast alternating of a chord and a single note, e.g.
GBD -- E  (123 -- 5),
a popular device of Liszt. I'm trying to get them as fast/smooth and as pianissimo/unobtrusive as possible.  Any suggestions? (e.g. good exercises, hints on preferred motions, ...)

[anda]

palm balance is the key movement - i mean, use the palm to direct the weight alternatively between the group of fingers that play the chord and the separate finger. also, if it's a long tremolo, alternate the "controlling" segment - use the upper arm and relax the forearm, then use the forearm and relax the upper arm, and so on.

(i tried to explain in words how i do this, sorry for my engrish  )

best luck 

[pianovirus]

Thanks anda! It helps to think about directing the weight from the palm. I also noticed that when the tremoli sound good (still not always for me...), I am relaxed enough to feel the upward momentum of the keys. Not sure if others have the same feeling.

[anda]

I also noticed that when the tremoli sound good (still not always for me...), I am relaxed enough to feel the upward momentum of the keys.

that's absolutely right. which reminds me of another important (at least for me) detail: always keep the fingers on the key, never lift them away, and try to depress the keys only half way (only up to the point where the sound is produced), not all the way to the bottom of the key. the movement has to be very small.

best luck