How to practice when you are not near a piano ?

[tsachi]

Can you suggest exercises which I can do with my arms and fingers while I am away from my piano? My goal is to improve technique, flexibility, speed etc.
Thanks.

Tsachi

[thalbergmad]

I have become better at playing the "steering wheel" than the piano.

Try it the next time you go out for a drive.

Thal

[Bob]

What's the steering wheel?  Tapping your fingers as you drive?


On the physical side, move you fingers, wrist, forearms, etc. to keep them moving.  Anything is better than nothing, even though it's not exactly like piano and might distort your motions a bit if those "non-piano" movements become more of a habit than piano movements.

You can also study the piece or theory/eartraining away from the piano.  If you can look at the score, that's one why to work away from the piano.  Mental practice can take advantage of waiting lines.  Running through scales or the chords of the pieces you're playing. 

For something like finger speed, just tapping your fingers might help.  If you can move them faster by themselves, I would think you'd be able to move them faster on the piano keyboard too.

[mike1515]

I'm very interested, because I'm going to stop playing for 15 days  

Does someone know some exercices to keep my fingers strong? And is it possible not to forget what you have studied until now?

Because I've been studying very hard Bach's Prelude and Fugue no. 3, Bk1 BWV848 and Brahms' rhapsody op.79 no.1.

I've managed to play the prelude and the fugue nearly perfectly and half of the rhapsody. And I think I'm going to forget it all... it makes me feel so sad...

Thank you, and best wishes

Michael

[thalbergmad]

If you have been working hard, my advice would be to give your muscles and mind a rest and you will come back refreshed.

If I am ever without a piano I catch up on my listening, which to me is almost as important as practising.

Thal

[mike1515]

Ok, thanks, Thal, now I'm feeling more optimistic about going on holiday. I'm going to have a rest from the piano and more things for 15 days, and I hope I don't forget what I've studied.

I'll try to listen to my prelude and fugue as much as possible, but I cannot find the rhapsody anywhere...

Anyways, thank you very much and have a good week 

Michael