Hey everyone,

This is something I'm having trouble with at the moment. I've learned a couple of pieces, but in my quest to play them right I'm having difficulty with this technique as well as just general problems with the separation of hands.

Does anyone have any suggestions of how to go about learning to play this way? I've been trying to do some basic scales playing one staccato and the other normal, but any other suggestions would be great.

also i'm still having trouble playing dynamically. i always am hitting that note that ends up sticking out. i've been doing some basic finger strengthening exercises in czerny's virtuoso pianist, so i'm hoping those will help, but again any suggestions are welcome.

I'm working on a piece now that has a section like this. It's an up and down run on the left hand and staccato cords on top. I try to put less pressure on the keys for the notes of the left hand and use a little more force for the staccato in the right hand. Trying to keep that base run smooth underneath the staccato. I practiced this HS first, primarily the base line so when it came time to stick in the cords I wasn't having to think real hard about notes - just get the cords in at the right time. Then, just to add another element, I found myself putting in a slight pause at the end of each measure and have had to work through that - to keep it flowing.

I will benefit from hearing other responses you get. I really like the sound of staccato.

Debbie

Hi Zwischenzug,

On the dynamics, I think it's more about learning to walk in a new pair of shoes than about strength. You need to develop the neuro-mechanical control required for smooth dynamics and personally I think the way is to concentrate a lot while playing slowly and accurately, then as the movements become more natural (hard-wired) you'll be able to do it quicker and w/o thinking so much....

But I'm not an expert so take this opinion with a pinch of salt...

"Don't practice mistakes" is a good generalisation because it kind of implies the above or an equivalent...

Whenever I get stuck, I try to break down the problem and work on things separately. Here's an example and suggestion:

Do some practice away from the keys. Just close the fallboard and try to "play" the piece--start as slowly as possible. Over-exaggerate the staccato action on the appropriate hand-- "bounce" off the keys, lift your wrist, etc. Over-exaggerate the legato in the other hand (actually, I suppose you can't over-exaggerate a legato). Think of your fingers as if they are sticking to the keys, then move them smoothly to the next key.

Do that until you don't have to think about it as much, if at all. Try to get that motion on autopilot. Then open the keyboard and try it with the keys. If that's too big a step, just try it with individual notes at first--hold down the legato hand and staccato the same note in the other hand, over and over. Then add 2 notes, etc.

I'm betting things will become easier fairly quickly.

Don't forget to practise SLOWLY.

You wouldn't believe how good you could get in any exercise by taking your time.

thanks everyone for the input, it is appreciated.

LaValse you are probably right.

Nina thanks for the suggestions.

And I will keep working on this