Speed practice?

[mysterium]

I´m currently working on the last movement of Beethovens third cello sonata in A major and I´m having problems when it comes to playing the really fast parts, especially in the left hand. Furthermore, the instrument on which it later will be performed has pretty "slow" keys.

My question is simply: what is your most efficient way to practice speed? Increasing the tempo slightly day by day? Practicing small groups of notes?

[brogers70]

I'm definitely an amateur, so take this with a grain of salt. I find it more helpful to break up a fast passage into short overlapping fragments and practice the fragments separately and then put them back together at a fast tempo, rather than to play the whole thing slowly and gradually work up to speed.

[pianoman8]

I would like to start off by saying I have never heard the piece your playing. First, the less tension you have in your hand/arm/shoulder/etc., the faster, more powerful, and better you can play a passage. If you are playing fast, you cannot play with your fingers lifting high off the keyboard. They should be curved.  1.Try separating the parts into smaller 1 beat groups and practice slowly. 2. Try practice long-short-long, short-short-long, etc. All different rhythms. 3. Make sure you are playing deep into the key for each note you hit. 4. Practice slowly concentrated hand alone so that you watch absolutely every note the left hand slowly and firmly hits. In general for speed, it really helps if you can practice everyday, just like anything else. Hopefully I could help:)