That long run toward the end of Chopin's Nocturne # 20 in C sharp minor is the one I have in mind. It's not so bad on the way down, but on the way up I'm in serious need of help.

As an adult intermediate/restarter basically, I've not done much if anything in the way of pure technical work, and there are times it really shows....

I'm guessing the best way is to practice very slowly, taking care to play as evenly as possible. Then very g-r-a-d-u-a-l-l-y work up to speed.

Thoughts on this run in particular and runs in general perhaps?

Many advance thanks,
CG

Some also think that flat fingers add a more sensitive touch to passages like runs.

That run is a scale so success depends a lot on your scale technique. I don't know if your teacher has you practice scales at all, but even 5-10 minutes/day would be helpful as long as he discusses scale technique with you first. And, of course, this would help on numerous pieces.

I think if you listen to some recordings you'll find many pianists slow down a bit on those passages so you may not have to play them as fast as you think. Also, if I remember correctly there is pedal during those runs so you don't have to worry so much about finger legato in terms of passing your thumb under.

Another technique is to practice starting with the first x notes in the RH and then keep on adding one more note(or a few more notes).

Also... don't be afraid to play them over and over again, considering them "fractures" (to use the term used by Cooke in "Playing the Piano for Pleasure").

Try to identify which fingers are lazy and not playing evenly. Usually it's 2 or 3. Then focus on them.

Don't turn your wrists when doing crossovers/cross-unders. Keep your fingers curled and sink your weight into each key.

Easier said than done, of course...

Please forgive me ..... if you can, ...... but on seeing the thread title I couldn't get John Maynard Keynes out of my head .....

"in the long run ............... we're all dead."

.
.
.
.

My opinion is to give it some time with slow, consistent practice, using deliberate, even pressure on each key, gradually increasing the speed until you narrow it down to just the exact notes where the trouble lies. If it turns out that there is a problem (it may just be learning at this point), then you might practice it in rhythms to iron out the wrinkles.

This has been said above, just thought I would throw in my two cents!

Expanding on this - with which I agree, by the way :

While starting the run with just a few notes, and adding one note at a time, always "aim" for the last note, make it the "goal" of your run, even when you start out with just three or four notes. You might even want to land on it with a bit of an accent, as that accent will shift, always being the last note, and will thus help in equalizing the finger action.

Similarly, start at the end of the run/passage and work back towards the beginning, always adding just one note at a time and always "aiming" for the last note of the passage, however short/long it turns out to be at each iteration.

Regards,

Thanks all, as always. I'll never stop appreciating the generosity of the folks on this forum. I'm experimenting with all suggestions and already have made some progress even after just a day or so...

This kind of learning/self-discovery process is always two-edged for me. Self-indulgent I know, but while on the one hand it's immensely gratifying to see improvement I can't help feeling just a little sad that I waited so long to get back to the piano.