Hi everyone!

Just wondering if there are any resident pianists that are going in for Grade 6 piano this year? And if so, any who are doing the Beethoven Adagio in section B? I'm sure you'll all agree that it is a beautiful piece (with a few tricky parts here and there ), but the main thing which I'm curious about is if anyone has trouble trying to find the best place to sit on the piano stool when playing this piece?! That may sound strange, but it's just that at the start of the piece you're playing in the treble with both hands quite high up the keyboard, and then it switches back and forth from that to the usual left hand bass, right hand treble etc., and I find it a little awkward as I don't want to keep shifting! Any advice on this? Thanks

Debi x

If you feel the need to shift from side to side, then you are sitting too close to the piano.

As you progress, you will find your hands playing more and more at the extremities of the keyboard. You will find that every time you shift position on the stool to accommodate them, you will hit wrong notes. Moving has upset your balance and caused the mistakes.

Shift your seat at the piano back until your natural playing position has your elbows slightly in front of your torso. You will enjoy a lot more freedom than you are accustomed to feeling; you will not need to shift position on your piano stool.

Hi! I'm playing Adagio too~ I know what you mean, I do face that problem sometimes. I don't really like sitting too far away from the piano so sometimes I feel like I have to shift my position to play it properly. x-x I guess I will try PianoDoodler's tip too, thanks yea!

I agree. The most you should have to do is lean, not shift. The same principle applies when playing four-octave scales or arpeggios. A very general rule of thumb is that your knees should not be underneath the keyboard.

Hi - I sit a little further to the right than usual. I have to sit quite close though as I can't straighten one arm.

I'm also studying this piece though I don't know whether I'll play that or the Liszt Klavierstuck.
I also have that problem, though I don't realise immediately but only I've played a few bars. Now I am aware of it I'll definitely pay more attention next time but I believe the advice of sitting a few further away from the piano is good, both in this case and in general, as this prevents you from becoming tense through the muscle contraction needed if the distance is too short.

Thank you very much for the great replies Also to PianoDoodler for the great advice, will definitely help as I have been sitting too close to the piano

Dear Steinway,

Son played this last year and there was a useful thread about this piece that you might find helpful.