Now, as many of you know, I took up the piano at the end of last year.

Because I have my computer, hifi, piano and tv all in the same room (they're all wired up to each other) and I watch the tv all the time, I have developed an awful habit. While watching the television, I reach my right hand to the side, and improvise, and practice arpegiatting chords.

Of course, I play at other times, but I've now reached the point where I can play some really taxing stuff with my right hand, but can't even play an arpeggio well.

Any advice? Or should I just move my piano to my left, and continue the bad habits?

!!! I think, as you said, you should re-arrange the room every few weeks ( !) and practice the 'bad habit' with the left hand. Keep things equal .
Reminds me of a story Will Cahoun (incredible drummer from American rock band Living Colour) told at a drum clinic I once attended. He said while watching long baseball games on TV he would bring his bass drum pedal in front of the sofa and sit there perpetually bouncing his foot in it - strengthened his calf muscles no end!!! Kind of like armchair aerobics or something

If you're naturally right handed, then your left hand will not need equal practise, it will need MORE! Bach's Preludes and Fugues are a great example of how both hands need to be equal. But to get them that way, you need to train that left hand even harder. Buy yourself a little keyboard just for the left side of you to muck around on while you're watching TV.

QUOTE (minsmusic @ Apr 23 2004, 08:54 AM)

If you're naturally right handed, then your left hand will not need equal practise, it will need MORE!   Bach's Preludes and Fugues are a great example of how both hands need to be equal.

I'm in the process of learning a Bach Two Part Invention (my first) and I'm finding that my right hand is much further ahead than my left, even though I have given equal practice to both parts. My left hand still feels quite heavy and awkward unlike my right hand which feels lighter and more natural. It has certainly been a good technical exercise for me.

I am left handed But when it comes to piano playing my right hand is better than my left the same as right handed people.

This leads to some confusion sometimes... if my teacher asks for me to do LH part I sometimes get mixed up. This is because, knowing I am left handed, if someone says 'Left' I automatically raise my dominant hand. But when playing piano my right is the dominant hand.....

If Davidmusic sold the TV he would have lots of extra time to practice both hands!

QUOTE (erard @ Apr 23 2004, 02:39 PM)

If Davidmusic sold the TV he would have lots of extra time to practice both hands!

Perhaps, but there's only so much that I can practice my third instrument.