Lack of control

[j053f]

Hello. I've been playing the piano since I was 7, but didn't really start to blossom until I was 14.

But lately (i'm 18) I am having trouble with accuracy, especially in Haydn and Mozart sonatas, and also Bach Preludes and Fugues. It is like, when I learn it, it seems to be comfortable in my hand. But after I've played it for a couple of weeks, I slowly lose control over it. I remember I played the prelude and fugue from WTC 2 at my satisfaction. And the more I played it, the worse it became. And I practiced it slow almost all the time, and tried to have a clear mind, and inspect the fingers at every movement. But still i lost control. It's frustrating.

It went away for a while when I spent a couple of weeks playing Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Brahms, but now when I've started playing a couple of Mozart sonatas again. I can feel it coming back. It's weird that it only shows up in baroque and classical. It must be something about the cleanness and thinness in their music.

A) Why do I lack control when i play these pieces (When I practice them slowly?)


Another question i have is about finding the inner voice of playing f.x. Mozart. How do you get exactly that velocity you are looking for, when playing f.x. Mozart. Because you have to be quite clear when it is piano or forte. Because you use allot less pedal than in newer music. F.x. in upbeats, the upbeat should be like a little crescendo to the new beat. And in sequences of different harmonies where you play, Forte! then piano, THEN FORTE! etc.

B) How do find your inner voice in it and make it full of energy?


Best wishes

Jósef

[awesom_o]

What you are talking about is the difference between mediocre playing and outstanding  professional playing.


If it were easy, everyone would do it. The truth is, earlier styles of repertoire require greater technique to pull off at the pro level, because of how exposed your musicality is all of the time.

It sounds to me as though you need to develop the structure of your hands.

I had the same situation as you-started early, began to 'blossom' around 14, and then ran into problems several years later trying to play pro-level repertoire with inadequate technique.

The results were similar to what you describe...

I started working with a new teacher at age 17 and began to embark upon an intensive program of technical study to retrain my hands and my method of playing entirely.

For two years I studied the support of the hand structure. Exercises every day for about 30 minutes. The program was extremely effective, and I soon developed a powerful touch. I could play with far greater control over the keyboard in all styles of repertoire.

I have two questions for you:
When you practice slowly, is it ALWAYS without pedal?

Are you any good with your non-dominant hand in non-musical tasks?

[j053f]

At most times i play slowly without the pedal to hear each individual note, and try to improve accuracy. But when i play romantic music, i sometimes use the pedal while playing slowly. But only if i am satisfied with the accuracy and velocity.

My left hand is a bit "weaker" than my right. But i have focused allot on improving that for a couple of months now, and i seem to be getting positive results.
But what do you mean non-musical task? Scales, and arpeggios and exercises such as Hanon, Pischna etc.?

Does playing mechanically work for many pianists? And does it work for you?
I only tried it briefly. I lose consentration if I don't play it musically.


What hand structure would you recommend? Some traditional (fx. The russian hand structure), or finding your own?

I do often play with flat fingers. Maybe it is that? But Horowitz also played with flat.
I don't play with flat fingers on normal scales. Only when i have to reach between two black keys. Personally, I believe finding "your own" technique is the best way. Because all hands are built differently. But of course there are basic structures that are necessary, fx. Curving the joints, flexibility etc.

But what opinions do you have about the hand structure? Are there some structures that have worked for many pianists?

[awesom_o]

You must always practice musically. Even when you are isolating technique, you are still listening musically with your ears.

I meant non-musical tasks such as throwing a ball, writing with a pen, brushing your teeth, etc. Stuff you normally would do with your dominant hand.

You are absolutely correct that refining one's own technique is always better than copying someone else's!

Studying the hand structure isn't about imposing any one idea on anything. It's about really understanding what is there and how  best to use it.

Can you play with big sound and quiet hands?