Can't make the left hand behave!

[deusdies]

Hi guys.

I've been playing the piano since I was 6 (on a once-per-month) basis. I am 20 now and only recently did I decide to get more serious about it. I don't want to be a pro whatsoever, I just want to be able to play. I know how to play a few things, e.g. Fur Elise (with both hands), the Tetris music and that's about it. I can play tons of stuff but only with my right hand. I also have the ability to hear the tune only once and then play it immediately on the keyboard (again, only the right hand)

I have absolutely no music background, except what was taught at school. I can read sheet music, but only the basic scale - anything above or below, it takes me some time to figure out which note that is exactly.

I recently got myself a Casio WK200 electric keyboard (I love it). It has awesome "learn-to-play" programs.

My biggest problem is this: I can't get the left hand to play what I want it to play, ESPECIALLY when the melody has different, erm, "speeds" for each hand. E.g. if the left hand goes BAM ...... BAM ...... BAM and the right hand goes bam..bam..bam..bam..bam at the same time, I have huge difficulties getting the two hands to work together.

I think it's because I keep trying to focus on both hands and my brain can't process the two hands working at a different pace.

So the question is this - any ideas how to overcome this? Any tips? Or does this just come with hours of practice?

Also, if you'd recommend me a good book, I'd be grateful!

Thanks!
Bo

[quantum]

I'd suggest concentrating on your left hand.  Take the things you can play in your RH and play them only in your LH. 

You said that you can also pick up tunes by ear.  Also try this with the LH first, before playing with the RH. 

This will require a lot of concentration and effort on your part as your LH is weaker than the RH.  Resist the temptation to play with the RH because it is easier.  You will gain more confidence in using your LH if you practice with it as opposed to reverting to the hand that gives you more facility. 

[ted]

I agree with quantum. Very many players, particularly jazz pianists, cement the habit of thinking only through the dominant hand, usually the right. They relegate the left hand to a sort of semi-automatic movement. The motion might appear strenuous, for example with stride players, but almost all the mental musical stream goes through the right hand.

It isn't difficult to train the left hand physically up to the right. In some ways the non-dominant hand has increased flexibility because it has not been employed in daily tasks for years. One obvious way of doing this is by taking advantage of the keyboard symmetry about D or Ab. Anything played with one hand has a precise mirror image playable by the other. This well known physical method has musical limitations - I tend to use it on my silent practice clavier - but physically it works well.

As quantum implicitly points out though, physical dexterity of the left hand is quite different from the ability to think musically through both hands. The latter is probably more important in the end.

[Bob]

Take a whip in your right hand....   

Harsh words, shame, reprimands.  That and the whipping will keep your left hand in shape.


Just do more practice.  Work at whatever level the left hand is at.  If you're practicing something, do a few extra repetitions with the left hand alone. 

Any basic coordination exercises might help too -- tapping out rhythms, for ex.

Or just using the left hand more in daily activities.  Opening doors, brushing teeth, holding silverware... all with the left hand.  It will figure it out after awhile.

[deusdies]

Thanks guys. I've been practicing "Troika" with both hands, and you're right, the left hand is definitely improving. So it's just hard practice (as usual).