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I know there are a least a few piano players around here, so I wanted to ask you guys something.
I've noticed recently that my right hand trills are, for some reason, much worse than my left hand trills. Being right handed, I never thought this would be the case... In fact, the reason I didn't notice this earlier is because I'm usually never trilling with my left hand, so I didn't realize how good it was, lol.
I asked my teacher about it but she didn't really help me at all, so I'm coming to you guys. I know one of the biggest factors is how relaxed your hand/fingers are, and I try to relax my right hand as much as possible but it still pails in comparison to my left hand's relaxation/fluency.
Also, I've been trying to analyze the problem for some time now, and I've come to notice that I think the problem lies in my right hand index finger. Because when I try to trill for an extended period of time, that finger quickly becomes unable to continue the trill, and just sort of dies. Also, that finger doesn't raise itself as high off the keys as my left hand index does.
So, I guess I'm wondering where the strength for trills actually comes from, and how I might be able to build up some muscle or something. I've also considered recording my right hand actually doing trills so people would be able to see how dumb it is. I might do that in the near future.
Cheers,
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United States24799 Posts
If you have a severe asymmetry in your right hand's range of motion compared to your left, then I think that's something to seriously investigate regardless of piano. What do you do with your left hand that you don't do with your right?
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Unlike you, I am the normal case where my dominant right hand >> my left hand.
When I play piano, I constantly say in my head, (each hand is playing their own song, and to tell my left hand to relax)
I also play ping pong with my left to make it more comfortable.
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can your left hand trill as fast as your right hand?
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On January 18 2009 12:00 Not_Computer wrote:
can your left hand trill as fast as your right hand?
my left hand trills FASTER than my right hand =/, but my right hand is dominant.
@micronesia: I've been trying to think for the past five minutes if I do anything with my left hand that I don't do with my right, but I can only think of meaningless things like... holding the shampoo bottle in the shower o_O. I can't think of anything that would have a significant impact.
It is possible that, for some reason, my right hand is more muscular, and thus, bulkier and harder to relax/move quickly?
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On January 18 2009 12:06 dm47 wrote:
my left hand trills FASTER than my right hand =/, but my right hand is dominant.
that's odd, my right hand trills faster than my left hand by a good 100bpm difference.
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Hmm...could it be you are trilling too loudly? Also, instead of 1-2 (thumb/index) trills, I find 1-3 (thumb/middle) is easier (allows for more rotation)
As with all trills, it helps to practice slowly at first.
But that is odd how you are right handed but its easier to trill with left hand...too much Starcraft? 
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Involving your wrist/forearm into the trill motion and moving your hand up/down the key during the trill could help get your right hand more relaxed, but I'm not sure what else o_o I don't know if people still use it, but when I was learning piano I had this book by Hanon with 60 exercises, and a lot of it practices different finger combinations, so if you have it maybe practice some of the 1-2 or 2-3 stuff to get your hand used to the motion.
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Is this the case with all (reasonable) combinations of fingers on the right hand? 2-3, 2-4, 3-4, 1-2, 1-3, 4-5, 3-5, etc?
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It might be that your left hand uses hotkeys in starcraft, and your right hand only uses the mouse. Worth considering? I don't know haha but it could be.
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@not_computer: 100bmp difference? wow. My mom makes her living off playing the piano, and she's right hand dominant, and her right hand trills are faster as well.
@arctic: I've considered the fact that I might be trilling too loudly, so I don't think that's the problem. and, as soon as I get the chance i'll run downstairs and try 1-3.
@syxygy: my piano teacher mentioned that. Um, maybe I should try Hanon. I used to do a ton of hanon when I was younger but I stopped after I finished the book.
@myrmidon: I just tested it and... strangely enough, it is the case for ALL finger combinations. Some are much worse than others, but for some reason my right hand just DOES NOT want to move quickly. I've even started to WILL it to go faster. I just stare at it, and hope it gets the message. But it hasn't yet =/, lol.
@7c: I don't think that's the problem but who knows. lol
Also something interesting to mention. When I'm playing a piano piece, I've always found that it's much easier to learn the right hand parts, vs. the left hand. And in general, I always feel like my right hand is more comfortable/relaxed. But when it comes to trills it's the complete opposite. wtf?
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Could it be that your right hand is more tense than your left hand? That could make a huge difference.
I am a flute player not a (real)piano player, but it is basically the same thing. I know that being tense will make a huge impact on how fast you are able to move your fingers, especially if we are talking about going as fast as possible.
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my right handed trills on FFR are equal in speed to my left handed trills
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The only idea I have is a lack on control in your left hand. With lack of control, and trying to trill (fast, successive movements), you end up spazzing your hand. Like how if you try to twitch your hand consciously, then it is slow, but if you kinda... let is go, then you go much faster. I dunno if you actually get that image.
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maybe its like spamming. lets say ur toss. You can probably go 909090909090909 faster with your left hand then with your right hand. Same with piano imo. My right hand trills always suck ass. It feels sort of out of position when I do it and starts slipping. My left hand though i think has a really good position
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@Archaic: I think you're on to something there. Because I feel like I can twitch my left hand very easily... like, it just happens when i try to trill. But when i trill with my right hand it's like there's no "twitch" mechanism at all... And consciously trying to make it twitch doesn't work either.
This almost makes sense because often times if I have to make a big jump on the piano ( > 1 octave), my right hand is much more accurate at hitting the end-note, which would imply a lack of control in my left hand. Sooo, what do I do o_O
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well the learning the right hand parts easier makes sense with your being a righty.
physically, the only solution i can think of has already been posted--your hand is too tense (which can happen with your dominant hand, try stretching) or there isi actually something wrong (hope not!).
mentally, try thinking about the trill rhythm-wise and/or accenting every certain number of notes. as in, when i try to get a series ofchords or trills faster, i think of the trill as rapid triplets, and start off accenting the first of each triplet. then stop the accenting, but hear the separation of the triplets in your head. it is easier to increase the velocity at which you play anything if you are able to separate it into simplified patterns. youll find speeding up your triplets (or whatever denomination you choose) and keeping the count in your head will become natural, and then, eventually, when the trill becomes strong and fast enough, unnecessary. being both a pianist and percussionist i liken the trill to a drum roll, which means, basically, sthat you just need to practice-practice-practice until its internalized.
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Just get a metronome and slowly build it up each. Start just below your maximum speed where you can do it comfortably for 3 to 4 minutes. Then each day add another bpm to the metronome. After a month you should be significantly faster. Do this with both hands as well.
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My piano teacher taught to me focus on the two fingers involved in the trill. Practice shifting weight from each finger to the other on each key, and exaggerate (your hand will shift from side to side). Let the weight of your fingers (wrist/arm, etc.) and shifting carry the sound (don't force it!), and lift those fingers! Start of slowly and begin speeding up as you feeling comfortable. This is how I practiced my trills; I hope I described it well enough to be understood.
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Relax and use your wrist and arm. You also have to start slowly, dont try to play it as fast as ur right hand rite away, build up gradually from a comfortable speed.
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EPT
