Playing PPP

[Spatula]

This topic has been brought up before (thinks I) so many times and was probably beaten with a 2 x 4, but anyways this time let's waste it!

How in the world can you play PPP?  My fingers have this weird "fetish" to always play mF of F...they have the worlds most impossible time to play P or even PP lest it being PPP.

My RH sounds atrociously loud and non-elegant when trying to play Chopin's fan imp already at MM quarter ntoe = 100.

I want to control my hands and legs from overusing the una corda pedal, because the una corda really distorts the robust sound on my piano.

[Nana_Ama]

Maybe it's your piano that's too loud...um I don't know what to suggest though sorry...

[BoliverAllmon]

it all has to do about gravity. Remember that the majority of your sound production should come from letting your hand fall into the keys not pressing with your fingers. To play PPP you need to use less weight. First work on real soft octaves and chords. Place your finger on top of the keys. Then simply let your wrist fall. Your arms should already be completely limp. The higher the wrist to begin with the louder the sound, therefore keep the wrist low to the keys, then just let it collapse. Once you can do chords, then work on single notes, and then passages. I also find that flat fingers for soft scale passages work real well because of the same reason.

boliver

[Antnee]

Well what I do, which seems to be working efficiently, is take maybe five to ten minutes just playing or improvising as quietly as you can. Try to find that spot where you can just get the hammer to kiss the strings ever so slightly. Then practice a little harder than this and then a little harder than than that. What you are aiming for is consistency. You need to try to aim to produce the sound you are aiming for every time. Whether it be ppp or f or whatever. Also, try playing a few simple pieces as softly as you can. It is very difficult! But, as with everything else in piano, if you do this for just ten or twenty minutes each day, your touch will be better in no time. If your used to playing FF pieces then it is hard to play PP. It is much harder to play softer, because you need much more muscle control. For example when working out it is easier to lift the weight fast than slow. This is because more muscle control is needed. You just need to build up these relfexes and muscles and learn how to use gravity to your benefit.

[rhapsody in orange]

well.. i've had such problems too. whenever i try to play ppp on my piano.. either the chord is uneven (some notes are louder than others) or some of the notes did not sound.  however, my teacher tells me that actually there is no need to go so soft, especially if you're playing in a concert hall. Not too sure about the acoustics myself. gotta check that out. i've also read that dynamics are actually relative. there's no absolutes as to how a ppp should sound like. it probably depends on the section before and after the part which requires a dynamic marking of ppp. and as long as the contrast is brought out, it is pretty alright. no matter whether it is pp or ppp (i've seen more 'p's in my percussion score before). Think that may just be the composer's wish to emphasize that the particular section has to be a lot softer than a section marked with ff. but still, it's good to be able to play soft with equally good control. would welcome any advice =)

[xvimbi]

i've also read that dynamics are actually relative. there's no absolutes as to how a ppp should sound like. it probably depends on the section before and after the part which requires a dynamic marking of ppp. and as long as the contrast is brought out, it is pretty alright.

You are absolutely correct. However, one still needs to master the task of generating the softest and loudest sounds on a given piano.

[Spatula]

i've also read that dynamics are actually relative. there's no absolutes as to how a ppp should sound like. it probably depends on the section before and after the part which requires a dynamic marking of ppp. and as long as the contrast is brought out, it is pretty alright.

You are absolutely correct. However, one still needs to master the task of generating the softest and loudest sounds on a given piano.

hence my question