Improve technique

[robatsch]

Hi, I'm a self-taught amateur pianist.  I was wondering if you could help dissect my playing technique which is very faulty.  I would really like to learn how to become a better player.  Thank you very much.  Sincerely, Michael

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[chomaninoff1]

I am by no means an expert on technique, but here are some things that I think you could work on.
-sit closer to the piano. It looks like you are having to lean in too far, which is making your back and neck too tense. You should be sitting up straight, not leaning in.
-Don't use so much pedal! It sounds a bit muddy with the amount of pedal you are using. Make sure you clear it at every harmony change/every measure. Crispness is key for the Arietta.
-especially during that high section: make sure the right and left hands are in sync. Practice this section more! Split it into 4 measure sections and practice each one at least 10 times SLOWLY everyday until you get it right. Slowness is very key. Gradually speed it up, using a metronome. If you don't have one, you can google the word "metronome" and use your phone as one.

Op. 111 is a very difficult piece, technically and musically. Just curious, if your technique is, as you say, "faulty" why did you choose to play this piece? Do you think you are ready for it? What has your previous repertoire been?

[robatsch]

Hello chomaninoff1,

Thank you for taking a look at my playing, and giving me some clear tips for improvement.  Although I knew my technique was insufficient when I started learning this, Opus 111 has always been one of my favorite pieces of music.  I felt compelled to learn it, despite the fact that I knew I would probably never be able to perfect it.  As to my previous repertoire, I have played Clair de Lune and Arabesque 1 by Debussy, a few of the preludes from Bach's The Well Tempered Clavier, the 1st and 2nd movements of Schubert's d960, and the 3rd and 4th movements of Schumann's Kreisleriana.  Sincerely, Michael

[chomaninoff1]

Haha I understand the want to play certain pieces above one's technical ability. Last summer I attempted to play Chopin's second scherzo. I only got halfway through it...let's just say it didn't sound too pretty lol.

I don't want to sound too blunt, but there is a huge jump in difficulty between Debussy's Clair de Lune/Arabesque and Op. 111. Maybe you should try to bridge the gap between these pieces. I'm not suggesting that you give up op. 111, but maybe put it on the back burner while you develop your technique more. I'm sure the lovely people on this forum can give you lots of suggestions for repertoire.

Best of luck.

[mrcreosote]

Metronome and scales.

First learn even tempo.

[chopinlover01]

Mmm.. I hate to be rude, and I admire your ambition, but this is pretty clearly out of your reach. I mean no harm by it; you're self taught, and you're not bad, either, but even a slow movement from perhaps the most substantial (or at least in the top 5) Beethoven sonata in existence is a bit like being a weekend hiker and then wanting to trail-run K2.

There are numerous other things you could do, though, to improve your technique. First, the physical part; how relaxed are you when you play? Do you experience any fatigue? If so, that's problem #1 to fix.

[mike_lang]

I can't tell a ton from the way the camera is placed, but there seems to be a measure of excess motion, as well as your fingers flying in the air a bit . . . I'd practice this slowly for evenness and with a feeling of release in the hand. Go through it carefully and under tempo with ease as the priority. It really would help to find a teacher who can provide help in real time and in the same room, though . . .