speed in different techniques

[Kapellmeister27]

I just wanted to take a poll to see what people's speeds are in different levels of playing.  (mostly just because i like numbers)

for instance i am 19 and have been playing about 4 years with 1.5-2 hours of practice a day, though my practice hasn't been efficient until the last two years.
some of my numbers (though my techniques may be a little sloppy and uneven at these speeds) are:

(16th notes at quarter note beats)

runs or scalar passages: 160-172
rotation or tremolos:132-144
arpeggios:144-160
octaves:92-104
double thirds:80-92

how do these compare to my experience? also, assuming control and dynamic range and eveness are not a factor, what would be good numbers to shoot for to play 90%if the difficult repertoire? (not crazy fast etudes or anything, just to be able to play fast passages fast enough so that the do not sound slow)

plus, what do you think are some of the highest numbers by super virtuosos like argerich, cziffra, etc. that you have heard in their recordings?

[xvimbi]

Man, you in da wrong forum! Join da SDC. Those guyz know everything about speed. respect, man.

[tocca]

also, assuming control and dynamic range and eveness are not a factor

Playing things fast without control and eveness are pretty useless, that's absolutely no way to measure your ability!
Comparing against others isn't of much use anyway, better to compare against yourself... to see if you improve. But only if you do it with absolute control.
Do some scales and arpeggios at the max speed you can play while still feeling relaxed and in control and then you can compare against this result at a later date.

I don't have any numbers for how fast "Super virtuosos" can play scales and such, but it's fast! As an amatuer it often seems totally impossible so it's, again, no use comparing.


Just to give you an idea, they'd easily play a scale at a speed of over three octaves per second.

[stevie]

this legendary topic demands a revival

[quantum]

Speed is an illusion.  You don't need to play fast in order to sound fast. 

[stevie]

Speed is an illusion.  You don't need to play fast in order to sound fast. 

no, what you mean is, there are a number of techniques in which it is easier to produce a greater amount of notes-per-second.

but tell me how speed can be an illusion in chopin's 10/2