playing piano

[henrikhank]

I have difficulties with counting and playing syncopation. When I play a piece very slow it is easy to count and know how long each note should be. How can I learn to play the piece in a correct fast speed? Syncopation is another difficult area. How can I learn to play syncopation? I do take piano lessons but I still don't really manage this. Do I need certain practices (on and off the piano) or is it something else?

[hoangcao243]

You're doing it right. You always have to practice slow and correct first, speed will come later, don't force it. It may take time. I would recommend you to practice daily 30mins -1hr. That's the most important part, practice has to be daily.

[j_menz]

I have difficulties with counting and playing syncopation. When I play a piece very slow it is easy to count and know how long each note should be. How can I learn to play the piece in a correct fast speed? Syncopation is another difficult area. How can I learn to play syncopation? I do take piano lessons but I still don't really manage this. Do I need certain practices (on and off the piano) or is it something else?

What you lack is a sense of rhythm.

Counting may be useful in dissecting a bar, but it is rhythm that will allow you to go at speed. Rhythm will also make sense of syncopation.

The good news is it can be developed.

Listen to lots of music - and tap along. Tap out various rhythms. Play through things in your head when you walk, and step out the rhythms. Dance to things. Sit at the piano and play various rhythms using any old notes.

At first it will feel awkward, and the results may be less than spectacular, but persevere. It will come.

Rhythm is an essential ingredient in music - your work will pay off enormously.

[bronnestam]

I just downloaded the sheet music to Gershwin's Prelude 1. Ohmygodwishmeluck. 

But, seriously, the best way for me is to listen to the piece many times, and also to try to SING it. It doesn't matter if you sound like a hoarse crow, just hum and sing. I count the bars if I have to investigate the rythm from the beginning (and I count 1/16 if I have to, because I don't want to get the syncopes inbetween my counts ...)

If I don't get access to a recording, I can make one myself on my digital, in a very, very slow tempo and using the metronome as a counting tool (see above), and then I play it back in a faster tempo so that I can hear the rythm and "get it into my body" - I mean, at least I don't count when I have learned a piece half-way, then I just feel it inside.