Can anyone kind to explain to me how do I do the rhythm counting ? I am able to count 1, 2 & 4 counts but I am lost when I am faced with quaver.
If you have already mastered how to count for semibreves, minims and crotchets, it shouldn't be difficult to add quavers to that list. The only complication is that for two quavers there is only one count. To get over this, you could simply add more counts! For each bar of 4 crotchet beats, simply count to 8. As long as your counting is even, and you realise that you will now have twice as many counts for all the other note values you should get the right rhythm.
However, you also need to get the right feel, and once you have learnt a piece and its rhythms by counting 8 (or 6 for 3/4 time, or 4 for 2/4 time) try it again but counting four. Try and see how the quavers fit 'in-between' the beats.
Another method for coping with quavers involves saying 'and' between beats. But, there is a trap that you should avoid. If you have a 4/4 bar with one crotchet, two quavers and two crotchets you would count 1 2 & 3 4 . Be careful not to turn this into five beats. It is difficult to explain but consider the difference between the following two lines.
correct: 1 2 & 3 4
wrong: 1 2 & 3 4
Hope that makes sense.
For long-term reliable success you need to indoctrinate your mind with the relationship between semibreves, minims, crotchets and quavers. When you are out walking, for instance, take each step as a crotchet beat. Think about how all the note values would fit into that beat. That's what I mean by indoctrinate! Piano playing goes to the shops with you!
Sometimes I can count out loud without pressing the keys but somehow or rather after the second or third bar I will forget about counting and just play on Is there any problem with me and how to rectify ?
It isn't the numbers which are integral to the music, rather it is the rhythm. I'm probably right in saying most of the competent pianists on this site do not count beats when they play, but they will have an instinctive feel for the beat. If you have an instinctive feel for the beat, why bother counting? If you don't have, how will you be sure you have the right rhythm?
Another problem I faced was that my teacher told me that my wrist is too tense. He spotted this when I played the Ode De JOy and press the C major. Are there specific exercise that I can train to relax my wrist ? My teacher show it to me that I should not use the finger strength but rather just by relaxing my whole hand and fall on the keys. Can I know more about this please .
Sit at your piano and let your arms swing by your side. Make sure your shoulders are completely relaxed. If there were to be a wind your arms should sway like empty children's swings in a park. Keeping that relaxed feel and your arms exactly where they are, just move slowly some of your fingers. A useful exercise might be to allow your arms to swing (as if you were dead - but without the rigor mortis) yet twitch your fingers slightly. Your arms won't swing freely if twitching your fingers causes tension further up.
When you come to play the piano aim to retain that feeling of relaxation in your arms. Always be checking for tension in your arms, shoulders, neck and even your jaw.
Topic: Rhythm