Stretch exercizes

[amateurnorway]

Hei there!

I have allways been interested in the piano, but never played seriousely at any time. I studyed music at High School ( 16-19 ) years of age in Norway. My main instrument is the electric guitar, but I took required piano lessons during the first twoo years and enjoyed it a lot. I had some experience from just experimenting since cildhood. After High School my life took some turns that had me pauce from music. Though, now I am 30 years of age and started taking lessons since the start of last year. I really enjoy this, taking up something I've allways loved.

I just have one big frustration. Beeing a woman and not having very long fingers I miss flexibility an ability to play those really fat chords. My left isn't hopeless thanks to my guitar playing, but my right.... My teacher says it's really just about practicing the chords, but of course stop it if I feel any pain or discomfort. At the time I play the prelude in E minor by Chopin. I had a little struggle with the left hand in the "climax" before the ending part, but got the hang of that after some practicing. My right is worse. In the third chord before the last I have to skip the lowest E in my right hand. The following chords I have no problem with. Frustrating - I am not able to practise this chord.

Some of you out there: Any technical exercize to increase flexibility/ability to do the larger chords without getting tendinitis?

Thanx :-)

[chopinlover23]

I suggest that you do the finger exercises from Charles Louis Hanon, The Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises. Start with the preparatory exercises, which are the famous exercises. I'm sure it'll help. You can also use John Thompson's edition of the Hanon Studies which come in two books, I used them as a kid. I love it.

Hope this helps =D

[lostinidlewonder]

Try to approach large chords by removing the middle part of the chord and just play the max and min points. You can also investigate other combinations of removing notes in large uncomfortable chords, this may reveal to you which fingers are the culprit for your difficulties, it is good to play a chord removing notes and question why they feel easier, what does this more relaxed posture feel like, how does it change when you add the other notes etc. Sometimes chords are simply impossible for your hand to play all the notes simultaneously, there is nothing wrong with rolling these chords and once can become quite proficient in doing this without disturbing the flow of music. I for one would NEVER mark down anyone who performed a piece with chords too large for their hands and they roll it, you should deal with what tools you have and examiners should always take intro consideration the tools the students are using. Just because 100000 recordings play a particular chord always together that doesn't mean you have to as well, music really is more than following rules, you create your own sometimes you have to because you have unique hands.

[pianoplayjl]

I don't think Hanon will help you to stretch your hands. You are better off devising you own. the preparotory exercises are designed to make your fingers stronger and more dextile.

[rmbarbosa]

As the circle is longer than the diameter, if you "attack" the keyboard with your hand at <> 45º or more, your fingers will make a circle and not a diameter over the keys, ok? So, the amplitude of your hand becomes higher and you can reach for example a decade instead of an octave. Try this and you will see.
Best wishes
Rui

[pianoplayjl]

Maybe don't stretch at all because maybe the hand will grow by itself.