Key beds

[andd845]

This is perhaps a question that will reveal a fundamental technique flaw/misunderstanding. But here goes.

Is it ALWAYS the case that a key should be fully depressed to the key bed? I ask because it is very tempting not to do that when trying to get a very quiet inner right hand arpeggio on Schubert's impromptu in Gb major, Op90 no.3, i.e. to lightly brush the key.

[awesom_o]

Like so many things on the piano, it really depends on what type of sound you want to create.

The main thing to consider is that you are ALWAYS responsible for the choices you make. I think that's the only real always. 

[andd845]

Like so many things on the piano, it really depends on what type of sound you want to create.

Thanks - I was expecting a slightly more lively debate, which suggests perhaps not fully depressing the keys isn't generally considered a very bad thing...

[nyiregyhazi]

Thanks - I was expecting a slightly more lively debate, which suggests perhaps not fully depressing the keys isn't generally considered a very bad thing...

it's bad more often than not. A golfer who tries to putt by stopping the club as soon as it hits the ball will always be less accurate in terms of power than one who putts through it. It's simple physics, because mistiming the additional act of pulling back by just a very small percentage translates into a far higher percentage of error in the resulting tone.

I wouldn't say it's an absolute and definitive no 100 percent of the time, but most pianists are far more likely to suffer from it than benefit from it. Pulling back also stops the arm connecting to the keyboard properly. It's generally better to move through the key firmly and deliberately, but slowly. Then there's absolutely no need to be pulling back from the movement.

[andd845]

Thanks nyiregyhazi, that analogy is helpful.