I do have a problem trying to play evenly especially after knowing the notes very well and has the tendency to play at a tremendous speed that sounds..... horrible . If anyone to give me tips to solve the problem.

Often, it is difficult to keep 16th note passages even. You might try using a metronome and sub-dividing the beat. That way, instead of having four 16th notes per click, you would have two 16th notes per click. This helps to even out these passages.

(All this depends, of course, on the meter and note values the composer used.)

[ October 31, 2001: Message edited by: MacDuff ]

Rachelle - this is what works for me - Practice half or quarter speed with a metronome. Also, playing slowly without pedal, (with a metronome), all notes staccato can help even the notes up. Try it for a week or so, and you'll see a difference. Jodi

First, you can try playing it by 2s or 3s slowly. Just subdivide each group. Then play 2x each note staccato and slowly.

Then, you can try something that's impossible to describe. Basically, first, you hold the 1st note of a 3,4, or 6 note group longer than it's supposed to be. Then, you play the other notes the same fast usual speed until you get to the 1st note of another 3,4 or 6 note group. You continue playing those notes fast until you get to the 1st note of the 3rd group. And so on. You do this 2 measures at a time or in phrases. Then, you hold the 2nd note longer, and play the 3rd, 4th, 1st (etc) notes the same speed as usual. Last, you hold the 3rd and 4th notes longer. (Does this make any sense to you at all?)

I've found that these 2 methods actually help a lot.

Aznlilies2001,

I don't quite understand the 2nd method. What do you mean the 3 note group?


[ November 01, 2001: Message edited by: Rachelle ]

I think Aznlilies2001 was talking of changing note values. For example if you have 3 semi-quavers in a row, try playing the first one as long as possible and then rush the other two as fast as you can so you still keep in tempo. Then play through the passage again, but this time hold the second note longer, rush the first and third notes. Play through the passage again, this time hold the third note longer, rush the first and second notes...

Once you've done enough of this you should be able to play all three notes evenly... I find that this method really does work... for me at least...

I have the same problem. I developed it from years of playing jazz (where errors can be more easily nurtured and accepted), and from not having a teacher.

Recently I've been playing classical piano (with guidance from a teacher), notably baroque - especially Bach - and I've noticed an improvement.

A metronome and Hanon exercises have definitely helped.

In addition I practice slowly through 'difficult' passages, even though I can whizz through them.

I try to focus more on feeling the rhythm. If the Right Hand, say, is getting out of sync then I could focus on a strong rhythm in the bass (if one was present), and forget the right hand. This "leaving the right hand to its own devices whilst I concentrate on the bass" method somehow works for me! What the heck...