Beethoven Sonata Op. 10 No. 3

[annm377]

Hello!
I have been working on Beethoven Sonata Op. 10 no. 3 for about two months, and I am particularly struggling with left hand agility. This problem is occurring in the 1st movement when the second theme begins in b minor. I am able to play the LH eighth notes evenly and smoothly when I play at a slow tempo, but once I begin to speed up, my LH sounds very uneven. Does anyone have any tips on improving the evenness of this section?  Thank you so much!

[marijn1999]

Try practicing it in chords. Then get the chords up to the speed you want to play at and slowly begin to break them down into single notes. It should make sure you'll get it up to speed.

BW,
Marijn

[georgey]

Broken chord exercise:  CEGC’ means play broken chord with notes C E G C’ as 16th notes , C’ an octave higher than C.

Play only on white keys the following:
CEGC’CEGC’C  rest   (fingered 5 4 2 1 of left hand)
CEAC’CEAC’C rest  (fingered 5 4 2 1 of left hand)
CFAC’CFAC’C rest  (fingered 5 3 2 1 of left hand)
DFAD’DFAD’D rest  (fingered 5 4 2 1 of left hand)
DFBD’DFBD’D rest  (fingered 5 4 2 1 of left hand)
DGBD’DGBD’D rest  (fingered 5 3 2 1 of left hand)
EGBE’EGBE’E rest  (fingered 5 4 2 1 of left hand), ETC, ETC

Do with and without metronome.  Start slowly.

Play using “touch and press” technique, where all 4 fingers of the chord are lightly on the keys before playing the notes.  When 1 finger plays a note, the other 3 fingers of the chord remain absolutely stationary and lightly on the key.

You will get a variety of responses. See what others say then decide.  Good luck.

EDIT: The 5th finger that is not part of the chord (example, the 3rd finger in the first chord above) should remain very close to the key and in good position.

Edit 2: Play legato.  In the first C major chord above for example, when the 4th finger plays the E, at the same time the 5th finger will rise from the depressed C but will not leave the C key, as if glued down to the key.   This will limit the rotary action of the wrist, but I believe will be very beneficial.  When you play the actual passage with more realistic technique (less touch and press with small rotary wrist mvts), hopefully it will be more even and sound nice.  If you are having problems with the touch and press at the start, play the broken chords as quarter notes and staccato.  Wrists should be relaxed.  Each finger should feel firm from the knuckles (the "bridge") downwards as 1 single unit. This is just my opinion.  See what others say.

[annm377]

Thank you both so much! These were both helpful suggestions...I am starting to see some progress