Playing oddities

[stormx]

Hi !! 

Here are some things that happen to me (that seem strange at first glance):

1- I can play a piece without mistakes, from memory. However, if y try to play it looking at the score, i get confused and make mistakes 

2- I can play a piece without mistakes. However, when  i try to play only 1 hand, i often make mistakes 

3- I can play a piece at a good tempo, without mistakes. If i try to slow it too much, i make mistakes 

Do any of those situations sound familiar to you?

Any other oddity you can add?

[chev_bigblock]

That's totally me, especially number 3.  I'm not sure why, but I think this occurs because it sometimes takes more concentration to play slowly.  I think has to do with when you play fast there's more of a flow, and it almost just comes by itself.  However, I also think it's best to be able to first be able to play a piece at a slow and steady tempo, while being sure to play deep into the keys, producing a nice clean sound.  This definately give me a much better sound (clean/consistent) when playing fast.  I don't know, for sure as I would probably be titled a beginner by the people on this forum, but that's just my two cents.

[sonatainfsharp]

This is called "muscle memory." It means you rely on your muscles 100% and you *really* don't know a single note of which you are playing.

Try this when you pratice: start in the middle of phrases, start in the middle of measures. Purposely mess up somewhere and try to get back on track, etc.

Muscle memory is very scary because if you miss a note, it usually spirals into something dangerous.

I speak all of this from experience.

[stormx]

This is called "muscle memory." It means you rely on your muscles 100% and you *really* don't know a single note of which you are playing.

I wouldnt say i do not know a single note...i have some "anchor" notes that i remember very well. But you are right, i feel that i rely a LOT on muscle memory, and i also agree that this is not a good thing...
However, i do not know how to change it 

[greyrune]

1 and 2 definately were me a while ago.  I still have problem when looking at the score but playing hands separate is no longer such a problem, my teacher made me run through every peice i learn HS and now it's much better.  You could give that a try, as for the score thing i'm in as bad a position as you, so i'm no help.

[will]

Hi !! 
Do any of those situations sound familiar to you?

Yep. I have experienced all of them.

Hi !! 
Any other oddity you can add?

Playing Bach fugues perfectly except with one hand a short time value - say a quaver or crotchet - behind the other. This tends to happen when I am not concentrating (on autopilot mode) and when I am playing from memory.
   When I snap out of autopilot and realize that my hands are in a phase, inevitably one of two things will happen: 1. I will have a bad memory lapse or 2. I will quickly recover and get the hands back in sync. I cannot concentrate and deliberately play the two hands perfectly, out of sync, only my autopilot has this ability.
   

[ludwig]

I think relying on memory (visual or physical) is a dangerous technique, when you cannot play extremely slow, hands seperate, can't start in the middle of the section, with the music etc...try using aural memory, sing it! This is much easier for instruments with a single line of music but it does work for the piano too... I find if you can sing or audiate or remember certain aspects of the aural component (like the harmony, chordal progressions etc) it can help you get back on track. Another great thing to do before this aural memorization is to analyse your music! This is sooo important, and it works! when I'm sick and can't physically go to the piano and play, I make sense of my music by looking at the harmony, bass lines, accents etc... and understand what the composer is doing, what is important within the music and rank the importance... then I would listen to recordings of it and search for those elements so I aurally memorise it hope that helps

[nomis]

I often release gas when playing chromatic octaves.  I think I may be too tense.