How to keep from rushing in performance

[nightwindsonata]

Hi all--

I have been polishing my Beethoven Sonata (Op. 31 No. 3) and performing it often in my studio class. One of the most frequent comments I get is that I tend to rush in the fast sections of the first and last movement.

For those of you who are about to suggest I practice with METRONOME ... please don't. For the love of God. I have spent HOURS grinding these with the metronome at my teacher's recommendation, and while it seems to help a bit, I often forget myself in the heat of the moment and move forward in an exciting passage. I know the piece well enough that it rarely results in a train wreck, but all the same it's a fault I would very much like to correct in my playing, especially as I have auditions coming up, and would eventually like to apply to a few piano competitions in the next few months if I can get my program to a high enough level.

For reference, here is a link to a youtube video with all four movements of the piece.

Any advice is appreciated!

[brogers70]

One thing I found helpful was starting a piece a hair faster than the tempo I normally play it at. I know it sounds odd, but I found that when I tried to avoid playing fast, by starting a hair slower than usual, I would inevitably start speeding up to reach my normal tempo and then nerves would keep me accelerating past the right speed. Whereas, if I started already a bit faster than intended, I had no tendency to speed up further. It might not work for you, but it definitely helped in my case. This is from years ago when I was playing classical guitar, not piano, but I think the principal is the same.

[anacrusis]

I don't think the metronome is the answer here but investigating why you get over-excited in a way where you lose control. Investigate why you "often forget yourself in the heat of the moment and move forward in an exciting passage". There are many things you can do to relax and be more present and calm even when you're excited during a performance. Like there are different kinds of excitement. One type of excitement you lose yourself and run ahead of yourself, another type you feel the electricity in the moment but still remain in control and still feel grounded.

I don't think that is something you solve in an afternoon, but get to know yourself. Investigate if there is any particular feeling or thought that precedes you starting to rush. Learn how to breathe and relax your body even in an performance, so you don't lose your sense of grounding and pulse.

[bobbys]

Rushing is usually a form of impatience.  Think of if you're anticipating getting it over with.  Is that the case sometimes?  Does your mind wander during the performance?  If so, does it often wander during the same passages?  Is it because they are easier to play and don't require so much mental concentration?  The mind is one fickle beast! 

This piece is interesting in that it is far more difficult to play well than it appears.  On the surface there is nothing here very technically challenging so a lot of people embark on this journey not realizing what's in store.  Like at 4:25 with those repeating left hand notes an octave below middle C.  Its unbelievably hard playing repeating notes fast and consistently!  And if they're not done with almost Mozartian (yeah I made that up) almost robotic precision (so they accompany the melody without drawing attention to themselves) it can sound uncouth and cumbersome, not fitting to the elegance of the era it was composed.  Just one example of how frustrating piano pieces like this can be.  Just because it doesn't look like Liszt on paper doesn't mean its going to be simple to play. 

At times you're struggling a little to hit the notes.  This can be solved with just more practice so the technical aspects are more effortless.  When we don't feel confident in a passage when performing we want to get "through it" as fast as possible which can lead to rushing.  As soon as the notes slow down you relax and there is no rushing.  I bet just being more confident about the technique will help immensely. 

What might help as well is recording yourself often and listening to it.  Usually we can hear stuff we totally miss while playing.  You'll hear those slurred passages and that will help you want to draw those precious notes out because they are vital to the music.  Then later, when you hear them, you'll have produced a completely different piece of music for the world to enjoy.