Tremolo help?

[kelly_kelly]

So my orchestra conductor and piano teacher have conspired and decided that they want me to work on Beethoven's Ghost trio next year. Looking at the part, I think that main difficulty I have will be with the tremolos, especially where they occur in both hands simultaneously. I can't seem to get them together - I feel my left hand is always behind. Do you guys have any suggestions for how to develop the tremolo technique?

Thanks in advance,
Kelly

[idevin]

Hi! I remember having the same problem with tremolos when I chose to play Beethoven's Pathetique. My right hand had no problem but my left was to get tired every time when I tried to play 1-2 measures.
The solution comes when our arms (the whole arm including the upper-arm/forearms/hands) can make small controlled vibrations. Tremolos are just like a trill in a sense and you surely don't need to take the Hanon exercise for tremolos..
There is an exercise from Seymour Fink's book Mastering Piano Technique, it worked perfect for me. It would be nice if you would find the book and try it. Those movements are never to be forced and I found that you have to be patient with your body cause it might take time to equalize your arms. After learning the movements it's purely a mental issue to increase speed.
Good luck

[timothy42b]

It's also covered in chang's book, and that's free.

[idevin]

Exactly it's just that I didn't find his way helpful enough for me. Nonetheless try both if you can

[songop.1]

You could also try Alan Fraser's method in his "Craft of Piano Playing" It helped me a lot. That is, if you can get the book.