Improving Trill speed

[pianobabe56]

At the risk of opening another can of worms about finger speed, I have a question.

I've never had a problem with runs or scale passages, but as soon as I hit a trill, my forearms start burning. I can never seem to get a trill up to speed. How would I go about improving speed? Also, should the action come from the fingers, or a rotating of the wrist (as if turning a doorknob)?

[Brian Healey]

Also, should the action come from the fingers, or a rotating of the wrist (as if turning a doorknob)?

I think that depends on the trill, although in general I think the best trill technique is a mixture of both fingers and not wrist but forearm. If it's a long, drawn out trill, you might want to shift more of the emphasis to your forearm rotation (as if turning a doorknob, like you said), which will prevent you from tiring and give you more powerful sound. Also, I think you should shape the trill with your arm and wrist, just as you would any other musical phrase. Start out with a low wrist and circle it up as you play the trill.

[faulty_damper]

You are only using your fingers to do the trill if your forearms are burning.  It requires the movement of your wrist and forearms to do the slightest motions to actually move the fingers.

[Spatula]

Does the fink book address this?  My order is still on its way from the book store.

[super_ardua]

You're too stiff.

[Antnee]

Yes,

A trill may seem like it is exectued with finger speed, but in reality it is the proper use of the entire hand and arm. You have to learn to build up the rythm. Like Faulty said, if your forearms burn then  the fingers are being over worked. Trills should be a smooth process involving the entire arm. Now, like everything we want to do at a high speed, we must start slow to get the proper movements down. Hold your hand in playing position and practice trying to trill by not just moving your fingers but try to make your hand and arm shift the 'weight' back and forth. It isn't really helpful to make dramatic movements with your wrists and arm beacuase you wont be playing them like this at speed. The movement is small, but it is there and once you can trill effectively it will seem like a breeze an all of these movements will be almost undetectable. Remeber, You must start slow, to get the proper movents down, as it may be an entirely new movement you've never experimented with before. Different movements are required for different trilling fingers. Try experimenting and see what gives you successful results. 

-Tony-

[Brian Healey]

One more thing I would add is to practice accenting the trill in different spots (at a slowed down speed of course). I think this will help you gain more control over what you're physically doing and help you shape the sound better for when you actually play the piece for real.

[zemos]

ad idem, how can i improve the trill speed in my left hand (which is my weakest hand)? it really bothers me, especially when both hands need to do a trill at the same time, the left hand is WAY back....

[tocca]

Practise as relaxed as possible, using both fingers/arm and wrist in small motions. Starting slowly and increasing speed when you're relaxed.
After that it's just practise,practise,practise. And then some more practise, and then again, and again, and...

A slower lefthand is because the left hand hasn't practised as much really. The solution? Once again: Practise, practise,practise.........
Trill slowly with your right hand (if you're good at trilling with the right) and try to make the left hand "catch on" to the trick. Imitate the movements your doing in the right hand with the left hand.
Don't be impatient, it will take time to get the left hand anywhere near the right hand speed.

Trills takes time to be good at, LOTS of time. You can improve your speed in a scale or simular comparably fast, but in my opinion there's just no shortcut to a good trill.

But just sitting down practising trills one hour a day is neither fun nor an especially good way in my view.
Pick pieces with simple trills, trills with easy notes in the nontrill hand. Learn a couple of such pieces and play them often.

I'm no expert on trilling, but the above works for me atleast.