Finger technique (scales...)?

[j0seph]

I took lessons for a long time when I was younger but I haven't been practicing regularly for a few years.  Even when I did play certain fingers were slower or stronger than others.  Basically I'm trying to get my LH fingers faster (trills etc.) and get all of my fingers to the point where I can play evenly.  That means mostly working up 4 and 5 of both hands and getting speed overall.

Right now I can look at the sheet music and it looks fairly simple to me, but my hands just can't play what I see lol.

Here's my question, I've decided to at least warm up as frequently as possible in hopes that my finger dexterity will improve.  That means hannons etc., but before I start I have a specific question.  My fingers (5 mostly, also 4 and 2) tend to lift of the keys when I'm not using them, especially when playing fast.  Is this a problem?

I don't want to learn wrong, should I concentrate on keeping all fingers touching or almost touching the keys when playing scales and hannons?  It is very difficult to keep them all down especially when playing fast.  I'm willing to put the effort into learning the right way though.

[mcdiddy1]

Fingers lifting are an indication of tension, or contracting unnecessary muscles. Practice playing relaxed and slow and it will go away. You do not to apply effort to making the fingers stay on the keys you just need to be aware of it. Memorize your music and watch your hands play and notice which finger lifts. When your fingers move the way you want it to then focus on how it felt when you played that way. Just be hyper aware of it and eventually you will get in to the habit of not lifting anymore.

[mike_lang]

DELETED

[mike_lang]

Fingers lifting are an indication of tension, or contracting unnecessary muscles. Practice playing relaxed and slow and it will go away. You do not to apply effort to making the fingers stay on the keys you just need to be aware of it. Memorize your music and watch your hands play and notice which finger lifts. When your fingers move the way you want it to then focus on how it felt when you played that way. Just be hyper aware of it and eventually you will get in to the habit of not lifting anymore.

I was having this issue in general, and found a mirror in the practice room to be quite helpful.  Sometimes awareness is enough to solve the problem.

Noticing that it was occasionally still happening with my fourth finger in the left hand, my teacher suggested I add just a few minutes each day doing arpeggi (each hand separately).  I mentioned as I tried it in the lesson that I had to having a staring contest with my fourth finger, and she acknowledged that this is exactly what has to happen for the offending digit to bow into submission.

Sympathetically,
Mike