technique

kim · 04-14-2001, 05:13 AM

anyone got any advice on improving technique?

04-14-2001, 12:16 PM

I don't know exactly what you're talking about when you say "technique", but I know a few things that will build up your chops/technique pretty quick.

First off, I would recommend getting a Hanon book (The Virtuoso Pianist in 60 exercises, to be exact), a lot of people don't like Hanon because it really doesn't sound that great, it's not very musical.... but it's great for building finger dexterity and independence. Also, learn your scales and play them a lot..... this will build up your speed too. I would also recommend doing a little bit of theory, here's a site that has a lot of info on chords, how they are constructed, how they are used, etc. It's designed for guitar, but most of it applys equally as well for piano. http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~d...rds/chords.htm

Besides all that, probably the best advice I could give is to play a LOT!! Play everything you know how to play, play Hanon, play scales, play P&W, play hymns, play classical, just play, play, play! And try not to think of it as "practice", try to enjoy yourself....... this will definitely improve your overall ability. Hope this helps.......

Nate · 04-14-2001, 12:18 PM

I don't get it, it says "logged in user: KeyboardFreak" above the "post subject", but then when I post, it doesn't post as me!! oh, well..... this is me, the double poster, again!

kim · 04-14-2001, 12:43 PM

thanks so much!! that is so helpful

u r one cool dude

by technique i meant kind of how you press the keys n stuff like that- my teacher always talked about digging them in and 'scratching' them!!! eh? i can already see the confused looks on yr faces! but that was really cool advice - thanx 4 the site as well - looks excellent

Nate · 04-14-2001, 06:11 PM

I get it now, I think! You might try relaxing your hands a little bit, go ahead and stretch out your hands before you play (crack your knuckles, etc). Then when you do play, play with your hand "cupped", not flat-fingered or overly curled (like a fist). I think the way I was taught to think of the correct position is by imagining you are holding a bubble in your hand....... I don't know if that makes sense though. Try this, place your hand on your mouse..... that's actually pretty close to the right position for playing. If you lift your palm of the bottom of the mouse, it gets even closer. Also, like I said in my first post..... practice, practice, practice (Actually I said 'play, play, play', but same thing) Eventually, you'll end up playing in the correct way......... although I really don't know if there is a "correct" way to play piano, my hands and fingers are always right-on, but everybody says I sit too close to the piano and don't put my elbows in the right place..... oh well. Hope this helps.

MrCrabby · 04-14-2001, 06:30 PM

The very best advice i've gotten, and the best advice i can give is: with ANY instrument, the main thing is to BE RELAXED.

kim · 04-15-2001, 08:05 AM

hey u guys

thanks so much! i'm really grateful for all the help and cool advice u've been giving - yes, the point about being relaxed is really true - something i found very hard to do when i started playing piano for the church - i get so nervous!!

but yeh, that is definitely one of the really important points. i've also heard that memorising the songs before you lead worship at church is important too. well, if u've got any more comments to make, please post them! it's really helpful for me

safaridan17 · 05-04-2001, 06:01 PM

In addition to Hanon, look into Czerny (i think thats how u spell) as that is pretty good stuff too. Its a little more musical and therefore harder than Hanon but still is good technique builder once ur into more advanced Hanon and all. I think i started out with his School of Velocity which i think is his Op 299? Not sure but pretty sure about that.

Another good thing is to practice scales and appreggios in a very clear and organized manner. Playing it fast is one thing...but playing it fast AND clear is another.

Also i dunno if this will make sense...its hard to tell online...but play upwards when u strike a key. Don't just plop your fingers on the key as you would for a computer keyboard. This movement doesnt need to be really exaggerated but try to do it. Its difficult at first too. But if u play on a real piano (meaning not keyboard), you can hear a difference in tone quality. A more pleasant ringing sound rather than a ploping sound.

Im sure u kno this but classical music is good too for building technique because a lot of it is very difficult stuff to play (especially towards the advanced end). While it may not help out w/ Praise that much, it does build technique in sound quality and rhythm and timing.

And if u ever get cramps in your hands, wrists or arms, stop! That means you are doing something technically wrong w/ ur hand and body position. Besides it hindering your technique, cramping also can turn into really bad stuff like carpelitis (i dunno how to spell) which will keep u away from ths keys for a very very long time.