Trouble with sticky spot in Beethoven Sonata Op. 2 No. 2

[uno1214]

Hello everybody,

I am hoping to get some advice on how to tackle a part of Beethoven's Sonata Op. 2 No. 2 that I've just never been able to figure out.  To me it seems my strategy for practice may be off course.

I just haven't been able to get the right-hand ascending runs in bars 34 and 98 (I think) smooth, clean, and up to speed.  I've put this piece down twice over the years as a result. 

I've picked up some improved practice habits over the past 2 or 3 years and figured, why not try it out again?  Specifically for those passages I've been trying a mix of the following:
- dotted rhythm practice
- practice at full speed / shorter sections (i.e. 7 note sections)
- blocked chords
- practice entire run with metronome at a slower tempo, gradually increasing tempo as I am able

By the way, all of this is hands separate practice.  I suspect hands together won't be a problem if I can get the right hand straightened out.

I guess I should admit all of this is leading to SOME improvement, but I feel very far away from playing the runs full speed in an easy, relaxed manner.  Some days after practicing them I feel all knotted up, which I realize is not going to help at all. 

I guess what I'm wondering is how long learning this should reasonably take.  Yeah, I know, impossible to answer, but progress seems tortuously slow.  I have a few of the easier Beethoven Sonata's under my belt, but this one just seems to get the better of me.  If all that is needed is more patience, I can deal with that, but I'm wondering if there is some approach to this that I am missing.

Thanks for any help.

Orrin

[krystellle]

I have problems with this sonata, too.  I think it's very difficult.  Those runs are like a glissando, almost.  Slow practise doesn't help me.  I think in a very fast 4 count. and play each group of 3 notes as fast and as soft as possible with fingering you decide.  Then I connect the groups still playing blurry fast but stopping at beginning of each group.  thumb is the problem.  no time to raise wrist, pass under, etc.  it just is a wrist that doesn't move and the fingers brush over the keys.