struggling

[charlie9]

Hello I just need abit of help with Ravel sonatine 1st movement as I can't seem to speed it up otherwise I make mistakes.Do you sometimes just accept the speed you can play or does it come gradually with practise.

[kawai_cs]

I guess different people would describe different situations as "struggling". Maybe you are just being impatient? Have you played fast pieces before? Has it taken you significantly longer to learn this particular piece? Have you memorized it well? Do you feel the piece is much more difficult than what you have played before?
In order to play fast you have to know the piece very well - that means lots of practicing which imprints the notes into your muscle memory.
For me the speed comes gradually, and very slowly so far. I think it is related to the fact that I have come back to playing just several months ago after over 10 years of not playing at all. I believe, with practice and time the pace will be faster.

[dogperson]

My instructor has given me the following exercise, which seems to be a miracle for me. 

Divide the work into sections.. Play each measure stopping on the first note of each beat, then play the next set of notes, , to the first beat again as fast as you can.  Pause as long as necessary to absorb the notes and fingering between each series

Repeat, stopping on note two, then note three etc.  Each time wait to get perspective of where you are headed, and play only the small series of notes fast.

Seems to be coordinating my brain and fingers for sixteenth notes. 

[stevensk]

Some pieces are hard to speed up. Ravel sonatine 1st movement is one of them because of the somewhat strange, overlapping and uncomfortable hand positions. Play it slowly, repetitive and Im sure you will ovecome the difficulties.

[michael_sayers]

Some things just need patience and consistent effort.


Mvh,
Michael