Help with piece

[samuelaeolus]

Hello,I just turned 13 and only played 6 years and I don't currently have a piano teacher. I am obviously in a way behind others technically. But, I have finished this song and I know I have the technique for it, but I strain and apparently strike the keys incorrectly. My previous teacher went to Oberlin but she didn't help me with my technique or how I play the piano. I wanted to play this song because it represented my furry of not having a teacher (silly?). Every second I am falling farther and farther behind. No matter how long i practice if i don't practice correctly it will only hurt me.  Please tell me how to release my strain and how to properly strike a piano key. you can find the song on you-tube. Search "Moment Musicaux rachmaninoff". Thanks I already learned the whole thing (btw).

[danhuyle]

If you find yourself straining your arms or some other form of injury, then you're not doing it right. The last time I felt a strain in my left arm was playing the 2nd part of Scriabin Etude Op8 No3. The first time was Chopin Etude Op10 No9.

To prevent the strain, you have to find a technique that works for you. That's what I did.

Whether you should continue playing this particular Rachmaninoff piece or not is for you to decide.