Let’s face it: playing the piano is hard. Not only do you have to know how the keyboard works, but learning how to read music or playing by ear takes time and effort to master. One difficulty many of us pianists face is unevenness in the notes when we play fast music. So here are three steps for you to take in your practicing to fix any unevenness in notes while playing the piano:
I turned this blog post into a short practice vlog on YouTube! If you don’t want to read the post, all of the information is in the video.
1. Get to the root of the problem.
This means analyzing the passage! What is going on? Are you playing a scale or an arpeggio? Are there chords jumping around quickly? Once you understand what is happening in the music, it will be easier to fix any unevenness.
2. Break it down into small chunks.
Seriously, break down the passage into pieces that are one measure long (or shorter). Jumping into a huge passage won’t be as effective when you’re trying to work on
Then start playing the section slowly, and pay attention to how it feels. What is going on physically? Do you feel any tension in your shoulders, arms, wrists, or hands? Are there any problem spots you are coming across?
Technique Tips
Keep your body loose. I talk about the importance of this in my 6th music vlog, so go check that out if you want more details. Any tension in your arms, shoulders, wrists, and fingers will only add to unevenness in notes while you play.
Also, allow your arm to follow your fingers. I know this seems confusing, but it basically means to let your wrist act as a lever instead of as a solid block of joint trying to keep your hand and arm in one position. This is demonstrated in the video!
3. Use a metronome and stay in control.
Now that you have analyzed the tough passage for tension, start practicing it at a slow tempo with a metronome. As you get comfortable with the tempo, gradually speed up the metronome. However, continue to pay attention to how it feels to play. Don’t sacrifice good technique for a fast tempo!
It is so so important to remain in control of your body as you play. Only go as fast as you are able while still keeping in control over your fingers. If you find that the speed is getting away from you, and your notes are uneven, then you are playing too fast and you should slow things down until you are ready to go faster.
Now you know how to fix any unevenness in notes while playing the piano! Remember, like all things with music, mastering piano technique takes effort and time. Keep practicing. You will be amazed at how far you can go. 🙂
