Leaps - Prepare/Arm weight/Free fall

[drooxy]

Hi everyone,

I would really appreciate some clarifcation on what follows:

When I work in slow motions on LH leaps (patterns like bass-chord-chord/bass-chord_chord/etc.) I first place quicly my fingers onto the chord keys before actually playing them. It seems to me that this technique helps to be accurate in terms of hand/fingers position and also that the initial quick contact with the keyboard contributes to better master the quality of the sound produced...

Now, I noticed that I keep on doing that even when I play fast...

So, I wonder if that habit is compatible with the "Arm weight" technique ? If I get it right, "Arm weight" technique looks like "Free fall" ? Which would mean that the hand & fingers must "fall'" at the good place (with no chance to establish any initial contact). Also, it seems logical to say that the fall cannot be totally free, since the speed must somehow be controlled in order to produce the required volume of sound...

Because of all these questions, I wonder of my working habit is good ? Should I keep it at the stage of slow playing and get rid of it as I start to play faster ?

Help, help !!! 

Thank you in advance !
Drooxy

[xvimbi]

Now, I noticed that I keep on doing that even when I play fast...

So, I wonder if that habit is compatible with the "Arm weight" technique ? If I get it right, "Arm weight" technique looks like "Free fall" ? Which would mean that the hand & fingers must "fall'" at the good place (with no chance to establish any initial contact). Also, it seems logical to say that the fall cannot be totally free, since the speed must somehow be controlled in order to produce the required volume of sound...

Having the fingers on the keys before you play them is incredibly useful. Don't change a bit about this! It's called "preparation", and is one of the things one has to strive for in good technique. Preparation is even more important in fast playing, because it helps to make sure that you are at the right place.

Furthermore, using weight is perfectly compatible with having fingertips on the keys. Unless you need to crash on the keys from a great height, just lifting the arm up with a supple wrist may give you enough height to achieve the desired loudness while the fingertips are still on the keys. If you need to lift them off, all you have to do is lift the arm straight up. The downward movement will also be straight, which is by far the best angle you can have. In general, if you can manage to put your fingertips on the keys before you play them, there will be much less chance to miss something.