Hey Guys!

My Piano Teacher has given me the "School of Velocity" book she learned from as a child. She said her teacher gave it to her and it looks like its a really old book...anyway, she gave it to me (How nice..I feel honored) and wants me to start working out of it. She played the first exercise for me and also showed me this video:




Does anyone have some tips for how to effectively learn and play this exercise? I doubt I can play it as fast as this guy, but the point of showing me this video was to let me see how well I could do with it if I practiced it enough.

Thanks,

Broken

Practice it slowly at a steady tempo. Use a metronome if you're unsure about keeping a steady tempo. I'm sure that your teacher will have much to say about hand position and about your physical approach, in general.

As you get used to hearing all of the notes of the piece at a steady, slow tempo - and not to mention, as your playing mechanism feels comfortable in that tempo - it will become easier to increase the speed, but at small increments. As you feel comfortable at each new plateau, then it's time to move to the next level of speed (again, in increments).

Don't be over-eager to reach the speed of the video performance, that may backfire on you.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the advice. Did Czerny intend for these to be played at a specific tempo? Since the book is called "The School of Velocity" I assumed that meant you should be able at some point to play these really fast.

I saw some other videos on youtube and it seems like the tempo varies.

Do you recommend a tempo for a beginner? I don't know how to set a metronome up so any tips as far as what I should set it to would be appreciated


Thanks!

Shouldn't you ask your teacher?

I should, but I am also asking here. Is that a problem?

Honestly, BrokenChord, nothing we say here should supersede the instruction and advice of your teacher.

We can only speculate about your ability. Words, which can make matters appear so concrete when they are heard or read, don't fill us in on all the grey areas that are apparent if we were to work with you in person.

Yes, "velocity" is in the title. But I remember that I started working on them during my first year of lessons, but I never got anywhere near the stated metronome markings. Well, maybe 3/4 of the way was reached 8 years later!

Your teacher, I hope, is going to use these also as instruction in articulation, dynamics, phrasing, etc...... Speed is just one component, but that will take time.

I don't think that BC has asked anything inappropriate at all.
Yes BC, you should ask your teacher these questions as well, but please don't feel that there are not plenty of those in this community that are anxious and willing to help answer any questions that we can.
Personally, I would also like to know wether Czerny wrote any tempo markings or not. Is that a fair question or should I go ask my teacher?

As far as recommending a tempo for a beginner, I do have a recommendation. Again, your teacher knows you better and her advice should supersede mine, but, in the absence of her guidance I would suggest that you practice SLOWLY!!!! Once you are COMFORTABLE at that speed, not just notes and rhythm, but RELAXED, then try a little faster. Every once in a while, it's ok to just go super cheetah speed but probably 90% of your practice should be trying to gain comfort and fluidity. IMO.

Hey Monaco,

I did find the suggested Tempo that was written in the book. The first exercise is supposed to be played at 102bbpm (I think..or maybe 106).

Either way, Im just going to take it slow. The first exercise is like scales on the right hand and chords on the left, and I need to work on proper fingering with it so I will be going very slow.

Hopefully, in the future, I will be able to post a recording for you guys!