I Love the Piano

Anyone who plays piano here?.

I've been working on arpeggios and scales daily to focus on technique and speed. I sort of hit a wall using thumb under technique at faster speeds when its a 2-3 note gap, I find it easier and more effective to use thumb over/jump my thumb to where it needs to be. Thumb under is no problem for me at med-slow speeds.

I've read that some people suggest using thumb over for faster runs when its required and it seems to feel better and makes more sense to me.

I'm still going to practice thumb under in that context but I wanted to get some advice from other people. Is that just a hurdle to overcome? or am I right in what i'm doing?. Thanks

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Effloresce · 26-30, F

I think it’s mostly all about preference and what you’ve had the most experience with when it comes to practicing that technique. I was always taught thumb under, and now I can play all of my technique exercises at fast speeds using that, but the other way is perfectly fine too. For me though, I’m so used to thumb under that it’s not even something I think about anymore when playing

Ryannnnnn · 31-35, M

@Effloresce Ah thanks, I'm going to get proficient at both then.
I've only been self learning since October so I'm not at a point where i'm supposed to be fast anyway. Just trying to make sure I'm not teaching myself bad habits.

Effloresce · 26-30, F

@Ryannnnnn best of luck on your endeavors:) learning the piano is such a rewarding experience.

Ryannnnnn · 31-35, M

@Effloresce Thanks :) I've been wanting to for a decade. You get a feel from minor 9th and major 7th chords that you just can't get on guitar 🤤

Noworries72 · 51-55, M

What are you trying to achieve with your piano playing? Classical? Pop?

I’m not an expert, but often you’re taught to learn a lot of classical technique that may not be all that useful depending on what your goals may be. I ended up learning lots of chords and incorporating variations of the same into virtually any song. It would drive my music teacher crazy, but I still play for my own enjoyment :)

Ryannnnnn · 31-35, M

@Noworries72 Haha well if you're not enjoying it then why play?.
I'm loving dim9th and 7th chords atm.

I'm aiming to learn some classical technique as a base for my playing, I have a Czerny exercises book i'm using as i'm learning sheet music.

My goal is eventually jazz once i have my theory/technique down. I've learnt an easy song to practice, then I have a med and a long term project that are intermediete that I use as exercises also to push myself and read. I sort of wanna play everything though 🤷‍♂️

MrMonnyPenny · 22-25, M

I play the keyboard. I had lessons when I was a kid, but I refused to do grades, just wanted to learn specific songs. Now I play things that I’ve worked out by ear or found tutorials on YouTube. But I can’t read sheet music or anything.

Ryannnnnn · 31-35, M

@MrMonnyPenny I do a bit of that as well. I do wanna learn jazz eventually though so i'm trying to do it all.
I found sheet music actually easier than it seems, after learning where the notes are its literally just doing it enough to not have to stop and think about it.

MrMonnyPenny · 22-25, M

@Ryannnnnn I’ve temporarily learnt sheet music a few times to learn specific pieces and then forgotten it again after.

I always pick out pieces that are too ambitious and difficult to play though. Like Ocean by Chopin or Moonlight Sonatas 3rd movement. I’d love to be able to play this one day....

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIFzbLE6bHU]

Ryannnnnn · 31-35, M

@MrMonnyPenny Hahaha he reminds me of a guitarist called Tommy Emmanuel.

Yeah I've tried to avoid doing that, i've found intermediete songs that I can play if i practice and learn for a month but I treat them as mid-long term projects as i'm learning an easier one so I don't get discouraged. I think moonlight 3rd movement is a bit out there haha.

Parts of love dream by Liszt sound quite playable but hard to read.

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