so is it ok that in the beginning I don't 'walk' on the keys so much? will I start to naturally build that technique from playing scales and thirds a lot?
My teacher was a student of Leon Fleisher, and usage of the arms was always an important issue for him.
Evidently not the right arm.
No longer!
This is true. He recently released "Two Hands", on which he plays 2 hand pieces by Bach, Chopin, Debussy, and others.
Leon Fleischer is a semi-famous pianist and teacher. He used to be a recitalist. One day he "just lost" the use of his right arm. He had several years of therapy, and played a lot of left hand stuff. Basically he gave up the recital playing. There was a lot of speculation that this was all in his head, as I never heard an explanation that anything was really wrong with his arm (I would guess it was a way of getting out of the recital racket - it's stressful, you know!) . Anyway, (at least according to lore) his hand started to work again! now he's back to lecture recitals and master classes, although I do not believe he gives official solo recitals anymore - they are in a classroom setting. This is a common "way out" for those that totally can't cope with the absurd pressures and stress of giving "perfect" recitals. I cpmpletely understand!
How do you "play using your arms" and how long does it take to be able to play things like scales or thirds legato using your arms rather than your fingers. my instructor says when doing exercises like thirds you are supposed to be dropping onto the keys using your arm not your fingers. how do you do that?!also is it bad if my fingers hurt after playing for a while. does that mean my technique is bad??