Left hand trills problem - Mozart

[abbyes]

Hi everyone !

Recently, a few days ago I started learning Mozart sonata in A minor ( K.310 ) . I didnt have any problem until I reached at the half of the first movement a section that have trills with the left hand. To be honest, I do not remember of making trills with my left hand before. I feel so embarrased, it's a shame, but I'm not able to do it at the speed it requires.

I do not know how to put an image of the sheets, but it's in the min 3:55 of this video.

I cant play those trills at that speed, and I'm starting to feel overwhelmed, because I need to play this movement on 22th February on a audition.

I do not know that to do. I just practice those trills with left hand over and over ( slow, but as fast as I can ), but I do not know if this is the correct way to do it.

Is there any kind of excercice I can do for working on left hand trills ? Any tips ?

[brogers70]

A couple of options.

Try practicing those trills very slowly while playing the right hand part as well. Play them strictly in time as 32nd note trills with the termination, two 32nds to each of the 16th in the right hand. Sometimes the rhythm of the right hand can help the left hand trill.

Make sure to drop your arm weight gently onto the beginning of the trill; try to find some movement of the upper arm or elbow that frees up the tension in your left hand - the more you worry about the trills, the tenser you get, so you need a trick to release the tension. My teacher always gets me to move my arm whenever my wrist or fingers get tense.

If all else fails and you have no other option, just play a mordent with a termination, or take out one of the repetitions in the 32nd note trill. Better a slower trill or one with fewer repetitions played cleanly and calmly than one that causes you to tense up and panic.

[abbyes]

A couple of options.

Try practicing those trills very slowly while playing the right hand part as well. Play them strictly in time as 32nd note trills with the termination, two 32nds to each of the 16th in the right hand. Sometimes the rhythm of the right hand can help the left hand trill.

Make sure to drop your arm weight gently onto the beginning of the trill; try to find some movement of the upper arm or elbow that frees up the tension in your left hand - the more you worry about the trills, the tenser you get, so you need a trick to release the tension. My teacher always gets me to move my arm whenever my wrist or fingers get tense.

If all else fails and you have no other option, just play a mordent with a termination, or take out one of the repetitions in the 32nd note trill. Better a slower trill or one with fewer repetitions played cleanly and calmly than one that causes you to tense up and panic.

Thanks for replying me,

Yes, while playing those trills my wirst and my fingers are totally tense. After practicing a few minutes it hurts and I need to stop. I'll try to find a better position and relax my wrist.

What do you mean with " drop your arm weight gently onto the beggining of the trill ", I certainly move my upper arm and put pression down while making the trills, but im not sure that im dropping my arm weight onto the trills.

I'll do what you said, I will play them strictly in time, 32nds to each of the 16th in the right hand. If in a couple of weeks I see no progress, I will have to play a mordent...but that quite ruins the interpretation and the essence of that section  

I will do my best ! Thanks for your help brogers70.

[brogers70]

I mean, just let the weight of your arm fall on to the key at the beginning of the trill. Think of just letting gravity do the work (of course your muscles will do some work anyway); but let the impulse be started by the fall of your arm weight onto the finger on the key, without any conscious muscular pressure. That may help relax the tension.

[abbyes]

Got it, thanks !

Best wishes