Large leaps

[thorn]

I am revisiting Liszt's Harmonies du Soir at the moment and am thinking about new ways of practising the Db major 'fff' section. I would be grateful if anyone could give me fresh ideas/comment on my current methods. (I have the section memorised by the way).

First method= take the first leap for example. I play the Ab octaves and move as quickly as I can to the chord but don't play it. I'm just moving quickly to rest on the notes and holding it there so I can check accuracy/ascertain how much more/less I need to move. I then do it the other way around (play the chord and move to rest on the outer octaves). This method does help, but I never have the patience to literally take it a leap at a time. I suppose I need to be a LOT stricter on myself.

Second method= playing with my eyes shut. I really don't know if this helps or not. I'm thinking cutting off the sense of sight will heighten my sense of space. But it's a bit demoralising when starting out...

[survivor23]

"Second method= playing with my eyes shut. I really don't know if this helps or not. I'm thinking cutting off the sense of sight will heighten my sense of space. But it's a bit demoralising when starting out"

You are developing your keyboard memory which is so key, and takes a lot of practice. Keep at it.

I am confused by your post, because you said you've already memorized it, but you are asking for specifics on how to play it? Are you planning on going back and re-learning what you've memorized? Now THAT is frustrating. Like changing your fingering at the 11th hour. Just my two cents.

[thorn]

I am confused by your post, because you said you've already memorized it, but you are asking for specifics on how to play it? Are you planning on going back and re-learning what you've memorized? Now THAT is frustrating. Like changing your fingering at the 11th hour. Just my two cents.

It's no different to being able to write a language but not speak a word of it really. I studied the piece a couple of years ago and put it to rest because I was not able to do it justice. I am revisiting it now and still have it in my memory from back when I first learned it (my memory is good at retaining things).

I personally find knowing all the notes but having to isolate and iron out specific issues is MUCH better than trying to isolate and perfect when the piece is still new.

[survivor23]

OK, I hear you. In fact, they say that to truly memorize something, you have to forget and re-memorize it at least 5 times.

[jy_]

you can try practising the leap by doing the outer notes first then add the inner notes one at a time to try and familiarise yourself with the hand position

[p2u_]

Large leaps [...] I would be grateful if anyone could give me fresh ideas/comment on my current methods.

A little old, this thread, but anyway. I want to give you a mindset. There are no "leaps" on the piano; you don't jump. Stop thinking about those sounds like that. You are just there. The movement to overcome the perceived distance is an illusion. When you start playing the piano, the instrument looks and feels like really huge, but it gets smaller and smaller while you advance. In the end, performer and instrument become one and you can't miss the target anymore if you clearly imagine the sound you want to produce. Just practise full chords with both hands in all possible inversions and combinations through all keys very slowly and relaxed for a couple of days and you'll see how that solves the problems with your "leaps".
Hope that helps not only you.

Paul

[benechan]

The Piano Sage blog has now featured a relevant article that may help:
Piano Athletics: Leaps (jumps) on the Piano - technical tips from Alan Dorn, LRSM
https://pianosage.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/piano-athletics-leaps-jumps-on-piano.html

[keyboardkat]

The thing to remember is, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.
These people who lift their hands and make a wide arc up in the air and then come down on...a wrong note have only themselves to blame.  Anything you do in the air above the keyboard has zero effect on what comes out.   It wastes time, it wastes energy and it slows you down, as well as having a negative effect on your accuracy.   Stay as close to the keys as possible.

Also, if a jump moves upward from a lower note or chord to a higher one, try thinking of it, and practicing it as the opposite direction.  Start with the destination note or chord.  Think of that as home base, and move to the lower one.   That's how I practiced La Campanella.