Piano technique -- using gravity instead of muscles?

[junbin]

http://wingtek.net/musicreform/files/piano01.html

Thought I'd share that URL here.

What it basically says is: to play the piano correctly [expanding the least amount of energy and without injury], one should lift from the wrist and 'drop' the fingers on the keys to depress them using gravity instead of muscular strength... which makes a lot of sense.

The reason why I posted that is because I am having a problem with over-exertion, especially with quick octave runs. Because I am using muscular strength to depress the keys (pushing) and also muscular strength to control the tone (pull), I end up very tired, very easily (especially when I'm working on Beethoven's Waldstein - Rondo Allegretto, or Bach's Prelude in Bb).

Can't seem to kick this habit in favour for the 'dropping' technique... mostly because I'm not sure how to execute the gravitational way of playing... sigh.

Anyone knows of this method (or any other techniques) that is considered 'correct' or more efficient? Please share!

 

[DoubleBlade]

You're not the only one here suffering from over exertion of muscular strength. Polonaise in A major has FFF dynamics coupled with excessive finger stretching of chords.

Somehow I feel that using gravitional strength will compromise on the "expression" of the music. I don't what the others think but that's is what I feel. There is a certain limitation to it when it comes to projecting the kind of expression/emotions you want on the piano.

No doubt the gravitional strength technique should work well with pieces containing "less violent" dynamics (which should be adequate for most classical pieces).

There are also pieces which requires pianists to use excessive arm strength and that comes with diverting away from the gravitional strength technique in favour for another technique(s) suited for arm strength management.

 

[piano_ex]

heyya =)

instead of worry about to use which technique, which usually being used together, interchangeable ... as our body can't escape from the gravity rules .... one thing that always need to come in mind is relaxation ...

u must always be aware whenever there is a tension anywhere in your writs, arm, forearm, shoulder ... or anywhere .... and know how to relax it ....

actually, it's easier to help you if you could show us how you played usually ....

 

[junbin]

Hello,

A bit hard for me to show you how I play haha.. but its like what you mentioned, my fingers, wrists and forearms stiffen to play the octave. I don't know if its because I have a small handspan (at full stretch, 9 notes), and I've tried the "bouncing" method but I end up landing somewhere else, with my palms pressing on other notes, and sometimes not loud enough!

After a bit of practice I can play accurately, but still not loudly or without pressing the in between bits. I'm also trying the Dohyani finger exercises (walao v.difficult!) to 'strengthen', but after 2 rounds I'm dead tired and for some reason, my forearm veins pop up.

Don't know if you've seen the Waldstein yet -- there's a bit that require your thumb & forefinger to trail while the pinky plays the melody... this one i also play it v.tensely. Damn, why is everything in octaves and SFs?!!?

 

[piano_ex]

heyya! ...

happy to see improvement as wad u said =)

yes, at first u'll certainly miss notes ... u have to know the balance in keeping ur finger at the same place without stiffen it up....

and if you only bounce it ...it's hard to play fortissimo ... it's more appropriate to play the opening of Waldstein 1st mov.... next thing is to apply more force with help of a bit gravitational drop (not too high though .. cuz it's fast passage) .... but one thing u must always take note is that straight after you strike the key, you must lossen it up almost immediately (when u bounce upward) ....

could you explain more about this dohyani finger exercises? sorry .. i'm not familiar with it .... I'm afraid that the technique is wrong and it could injure your finger instead of strenghtened it .... be extra careful with it .... i'm very concern .... and because you said after only 2 round u're dead tired and your forearm veins pop up ..... i recommend that you stop doing that exercise as it can injure your arm and finger (opinion taken from the effect you've describe after you've done it)

Yea, I'm familiar with waldstein .. played it before =) ..... That bit from 3rd movement is fun! ... lolx ... and it appears in a lot of Beethoven late work ... and interestingly in a lot of his concertos ....

try to do it slowly at first .... and make sure that your finger is not tense, ah btw .... it's spelled Trills ... not trails =)

Damn, why is everything in octaves and SFs?!!?

because waldstein is one of the more difficult one from Beethoven 32 sonatas? =)

 

[junbin]

Thanks v.v.much for all your help...

I've posted the Dohnanyi finger exercises here -- http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=7F6C391F0D6CEB70
It has worked in strengthening my fourth & fifth fingers for trills in Bach, but I think the octave runs are too advanced for me! There are notes in the sheet saying its better to switch between 1-5 and 1-4 to lessen the tension (but my reach is alr v.small...)

I'm only at the Rondo bit of the Waldstein; and only the first half... long long long long process man. Is there any way to train 'stamina', in terms of for playing these sort of long, octave-heavy expressive pieces?

http://members.aol.com/chang8828/contents.htm
Here's an interesting read, thought you guys (or girls?) might like it.

 

[piano_ex]

okie! thanks ... will read it up when i have time .. =)

the only way is to slowly build up your practice time ..... cuz u've not been playing for 4 years ... =)