Acquiring speed where parallel sets just don't work.

[mosis]

I am referring specifically to the last bar of Bach's Prelude in C Minor WTC2. The left hand plays G-F-Eb-F with fingers 1-2-3-2. I have no problem executing such a passage with the right hand, but my left hand is naturally weaker. Now, I CAN play this section at tempo, but I would like to be able to play faster to have a "reserve" (Bernhard, Chang, mound, you know of what I speak). However, I find that I simply cannot make my fingers move fast enough. The problem occurs in the alternation between 2-3-2. I simply cannot get it up to tempo yet.

The same problem occurs in the Pathetique sonata, in the section after the quiet jumps right till the end. I am tense in one hand, and in the other, I just can't crank out the notes quick enough. I can't imagine using parallel sets on every single one. What is the best way to work on speed in such passages?

[mound]

(Bernhard, Chang, mound, you know of what I speak).

I don't have any specific advice for you, I just wanted to ask that you please don't lump my name in the same sentence as  Bernhard and Chang.. I only ask alot of questions, they give the answers 

-Paul

[mosis]

I know. You and I are pretty much on the same level of knowledge, based on what I have read. It's just that you three are the only ones who know what I'm talking about, and maybe you read something that I missed.

[mound]

I hear ya

I'm surprised you have an issue with speed alternating between 2-3-2 on the F, Eb and F. You'd think you could quite easilly do a chord attack and play that at infinite speed and then slow down (the same for both directions).. Is it just weakness in your fingers? Remember, don't initiate the motion in your fingers. I had a similar problem in bar 9 of Schumann's Knight Rupert, Left hand, I had to play very fast between Bb and A , it went Bb-A-Bb-A-G-A-G-A  using 2-3-2-3-4-3-4-3..   I had problems when I was allowing the motion to come mostly from my hands and fingers, where of course the problem lies because those fingers don't have alot of independant strength.

Try using your forearm to alternate weight on your wrist into the 2 and into the 3 rather than trying to force your fingers to do the work.. My teacher told me to picture a gearbox in my belly just below my navel that was creating the energy for the motion, and then a mechanism within my forearm that was connected to this gearbox, that did nothing but turn the wrist (like turning a door knob) - When I started thinking like that, suddenly I was able to get equal tone out both my 2nd and third finger.. .I also had no problem doing the same thing on the right hand, only the left. (the right hand was playing the same notes 8va in that particular Schumann piece)

I dunno if this helps or not!

-paul

[mosis]

I'm not used to using the arm to play just two or three notes, so I'll have to work on that, but I will try it out. it sounds like you and I encounter difficulty in the same type of passages.