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Hi you all!
I´ve been reading through some old messages here on the Forum and I have´ve been thinking about one thing concerning fast passages and learning how to play them so they sound good. I am just an amature when it comes to pianoplaying but isn´t it VERY important to learn the notes really good so the fingers "know" them before speeding upp the piece gradually? I think about it like this: if the fingers doesn´t know were they are going next, how can you ever dream of relaxing your arm or the upper body? Am I wrong? Please tell me so if I am.

Regards
Kenneth

Hi, Kenneth:

I pretty much agree with you, I think. It is important to know which notes you're going for, but in some cases (scales, arpeggios, etc.) once you know the key and the general pattern, you can sort of go on auto pilot with some experience.

The part I'm not sure about (and I don't think I agree with you) is that you can't really relax until you have the notes close to automatic in your hand. I think you really should try to relax more all the time! (Not to sound too touchy-feely, but...)

I have a bad habit of getting really tense when working on a difficult piece, and it really hinders my ability to just play the piece. Sometimes my husband will walk by and give a gentle ( :rolleyes: ) reminder along the lines of: "Get your shoulders out of your ears!"

Not sure if that's really what you meant, though.

Nina