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Topic: (Prokofiev) Impossible section to execute in a performance. (Read 909 times)

alberlos

PS Silver Member
Newbie
Posts: 5

(Prokofiev) Impossible section to execute in a performance.

on: July 05, 2024, 10:24:08 AM

I seriously need help. I would thank specially from people who had this annoying problem.

There's this passage in Prokofiev's 7th sonata, first movement. It's a fast run upwards in the right hand. I cannot get it right. At first I learnt it without much struggle, besides acknowledging it was a hard section. But since I screwed up in a lesson performance in front of the teacher and felt embarrassment (I'm talking about full wrong notes and being paralysed), I always get blocked in performances. I've tried it all: slow practice, joining with sections beforehand, hands separated, giving it a one month break... And it works at home!!!! I've got the technique!!! But in "performance mode", I'm always thinking "here it comes, here it comes..." And then I screw it up. It's not a wrong note, but a full inability to perform the run. I feel a physical block and I end up slamming the keyboard, continuing to the next section.

It's very frustrating. I don't think I can perform this piece in competitions again. I don't know what to do.

Thanks for reading!

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skari123

PS Silver Member
Jr. Member
Posts: 26

Re: (Prokofiev) Impossible section to execute in a performance.

Reply #1 on: July 09, 2024, 10:16:33 PM

Quote from: alberlos on July 05, 2024, 10:24:08 AM

I seriously need help. I would thank specially from people who had this annoying problem.

There's this passage in Prokofiev's 7th sonata, first movement. It's a fast run upwards in the right hand. I cannot get it right. At first I learnt it without much struggle, besides acknowledging it was a hard section. But since I screwed up in a lesson performance in front of the teacher and felt embarrassment (I'm talking about full wrong notes and being paralysed), I always get blocked in performances. I've tried it all: slow practice, joining with sections beforehand, hands separated, giving it a one month break... And it works at home!!!! I've got the technique!!! But in "performance mode", I'm always thinking "here it comes, here it comes..." And then I screw it up. It's not a wrong note, but a full inability to perform the run. I feel a physical block and I end up slamming the keyboard, continuing to the next section.

It's very frustrating. I don't think I can perform this piece in competitions again. I don't know what to do.

Thanks for reading!

Hi
it sounds like your problem could be both physical and psychological. If you cannot perform that run for other people without getting paralysed probably means that you start thinking too much. When you are performing you should not be thinking about how you might probably screw up that passage, because that makes it more likelier that you are going to screw it up. This thought process should not be practised in the practise room. Usually the best method is to practice very slowly and thoughtfully, although you have probably done that so lets get to the physical part.
Usually when I'm having problems with fast runs it means that my forearm rotation is incorrect between some notes, often in thumb crossings. It should feel extremely easy, as if you could do it all day long without any fatigue or pain. What passage is that run in the 1st movement, what measure?

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lostinidlewonder

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 7840

Re: (Prokofiev) Impossible section to execute in a performance.

Reply #2 on: July 09, 2024, 10:19:24 PM

Post an image of the section so it's easier to discuss. Honestly not going to get much response on this issue and not posting an image you limit your chances even further. Also record yourself playing it from start to finish many times, that acts sort of like performance pressure.

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