benefit of silent keytop practice for technique?

[Bob]

It doesn't seem completely pointless.  How much benefit is there to this, compared to actually producing a tone?  I suppose I'll have to experiment...

Playing on the tops of the keys, but not making a sound.

Fairly dull, but I'm thinking technical, repetitious practice here.  Not really something where I'm focusing a lot of attention on things any way, or least not on the sound so much, more on the physical side. 

It's better than nothing, but is there something better? 

I was also thinking it's some kind of solution for situation where you don't want to annoy the neighbors, esp with repeated technique practice.

[perfect_pitch]

It doesn't seem completely pointless.  How much benefit is there to this, compared to actually producing a tone?

What... buying a really nice piano to... NOT play it???    

I was also thinking it's some kind of solution for situation where you don't want to annoy the neighbors

In my opinion - since I have a neighbour who lets her two gigantic dogs yelp and bark all day outside in the front yard without giving them any exercise (or care by the looks of it), another who likes having workmen doing repairs, extensions and all sorts of loud equipment at all hours of the day?

Personally... I say f**k 'em! They annoy the sh*t out of me...

[mnmleung]

I was learning the accompaniment to one of the pieces from Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex (and later a Scarlatti sonata) and couldn't play evenly.  My teacher asked me to shut the lid and play on the lid.

I think for me it was a revelation because I must have got used to the the tones and the unevenness together.  Hearing knock knock knock knock (ie take the tones away) played unevenly was quite a shock to my ears.  So I guess this is a variation on the keytop: play on the lid, and I benefitted from it.

Ming

[pianocareer]

Hello everyone!

This is my first post on this forum - reading this particular thread, I've decided to share my own experience .

I'm a professional pianist and piano teacher from Moldova (Europe).

I agree with Ming - practicing on the lid can sometimes be very useful! Besides improving our sense of rhythm, it also helps pianists who have the habit of playing superficially, with tensed hands, to relax their arms and to achieve a deep, quality sound. After playing on the lid, playing on the keys becomes much easier!

However, this technique is not suitable for beginners - it can only be used when the student's fingers are already accustomed with the distance between the keys and the position of each key on the keyboard.

Playing on top of the keys without making a sound can sometimes help (if you don't want to disturb the neighbors), but if you play like this for too long, you risk losing your skill of playing with the weight of your entire arm behind each note - which is the foundation of a quality sound. So, instead of playing on the keytops, I recommend playing on the lid! No noise for the neighbors and many benefits for the pianist!

Ilinca

[Bob]

I actually meant key tops.  Lid would be another step removed for how I think, but probably about the same level of usefulness.

[butterfly10]

Thx for sharing

[ted]

Unlike many, I have never found playing on a firm surface, such as a table or piano lid, of any benefit. On the other hand, my Virgil Practice Clavier, with its more precise simulation of dip and variable resistance has helped me enormously. You don't have to go berserk with it though. Five to ten minutes night and morning has maintained my technique at a level easily able to cope with any music I play.

[meandmypiano]

Hi, I am also from Moldova and teaching piano. I agree that silent practice can be beneficial to students of a higher level of playing. It encourages Mental Play and aids the overall memorization of a piece.

Nice to meet you.