VIDEO: Beethoven Sonata Op. 31 No. 3 II. Allegretto Vivace

[nightwindsonata]

My posting streak continues. Would love any ideas or tips for keeping a relaxed left hand in the passages at 1:07 and 3:18.

Thanks!

[dw4rn]

I like your energetic playing here. But much of this movement is marked piano and pianissimo, so I think you need to try to be more delicate (but of course still go for it in the fortissimo outbursts). Some of it may be down to the recording, but one gets the impression that you are playing everything quite loudly.

I see what you mean about 1.07 and 3.18. Obviously, these are the hardest spots for the LH, but I think you need to work on your staccato technique in general, and then you'll be in a better place to solve these particular bars. Start by slowing down the left hand a bit and practice it on its own, a bar or so at a time. You need to both have a loose wrist and very active fingers, and you might want to focus on one thing at a time. For example, you can slow the tempo down quite a bit and use a slightly exaggerated movement from the wrist (or even the elbow). Then practice the same thing with much less arm movement but with very active, gripping fingers. If you spend some time on this, the hand and arm will gradually sort out just how much each of these elements are needed.