"Adjusting" to new pianos, LIVE

[teosoleil]

Hi. I just have a technical problem: upon playing on a "new" piano for the first time on a stage, my fingers get really wobbly and lose dexterity (the structure of my hand weakens and falls much more easily). It seems like I need some time to get "used" to the piano keys, pedals, etc. As such, the beginning of my performances are often technically flawed and not as brilliant as they should be.

The problem is gradually diminishing. For me, I just "command" my fingers what to do, and my nerve and muscle cells do the rest.

Are there any tricks or ways to immediately "adjust" to new pianos when performing? Because of the brain-muscle connection, I am going to start sleeping more the weeks before a performance and begin eating healthier as well. Should I also just practice on more than 3+ pianos to get a dynamic feel? Should I practice/finger-tap more? What are your suggestions, and do you have this problem? What are your experiences with this, if you've had it? (It just seems like I'm the only one afflicted with this--even five-year-olds have that control on any piano they perform on!)

Thank you for reading!

[lostinidlewonder]

I grew up on a piano which had very heavy keys so I rarely came across others which were more difficult to play. Perhaps playing on pianos with heaver actions is also a good way to train for other pianos.

I always need to play the piano I will perform on prior to performance. That is the only way to really prepare yourself for a piano you have never played on before. Other than that you simply need to play a large range of pianos and get to know the range that you might come across so proper working order type of piano will surprise you.

Personally I find projecting the sound depending on the size of the performance space and its acoustics the challenging issue. I always have someone playing the piano and I ask them to play different volume levels while I walk around the room to calibrate myself and the instrument to the environment.

[j_menz]

Every piano is different, and every piano is different in a different room/hall. Over time, you get quicker at adjusting - just play on any and every piano you get the chance to and it will become easier to adjust.

[andreslr6]

I always ask if I can rehearse on the piano I'll be using, before the recital, like one or two weeks before the recital, and practice as long as I can on it. Over time, like they've said, you'll get used to be playing on different pianos always and you'll just need to check acoustics

[49410enrique]

I always ask if I can rehearse on the piano I'll be using, before the recital, like one or two weeks before the recital, and practice as long as I can on it. Over time, like they've said, you'll get used to be playing on different pianos always and you'll just need to check acoustics

+1^
agreed. wholeheartedly. I am adamant/persistent that I be allowed to rehearse/play on the performance instrument before the 'big show'/exam, etc.

you are very astute in also needing to know how to guage hall acoustics. previous masterclass participated in we discussed this very thing, the need to listen to how the hall/venue changes the sound coming from the instrument (for the audinece vs what can be a very different sound to you on stage, and the need to try and adjust your approach to counteract unwanted effects-though this usually need recording  or a volunteer with a good ear to give feedback)

[lloyd_cdb]

 

What are your experiences with this, if you've had it? (It just seems like I'm the only one afflicted with this

Something I struggle with greatly. You're not alone.  Your intuition about practicing on different pianos is great, as long as it's an option.

Performing, I think everyone has hit the nail on the head.  I don't perform much, so I probably can't add much to it.  When it comes to playing in front of friends/family on random pianos you may encounter, you shouldn't feel the pressure to just dig into your repertoire. I hit a few chords and scales to get a basic feel before digging in.  Nobody cares if you take a minute to adjust/warm up in front of them.

I grew up on a piano which had very heavy keys so I rarely came across others which were more difficult to play. Perhaps playing on pianos with heaver actions is also a good way to train for other pianos.

I had a similar situation.  My keys are ~65g downweight in the upper 2/3.  Haven't bothered measuring them in the base section.  I'm not sure I've had the same result though. I almost never play other pianos for more than a couple minutes though, so it might just be a lack of evidence.

[richard black]

Make a point of practising on (or at least playing for a few minutes) as many different pianos as you can. The more you've played on, the faster you adjust.

Same goes for driving unfamiliar cars, BTW.