Hi,

Can anyone advise on why, when doing scales staccato, the outside/top of my forearms REALLY hurt (unless I do them REALLY slowly (which obviously isn't ideal!!)

I must be doing *something* wrong since it hurts!

My exam is soon and I just can't seem to get them up to speed!

Any tips on staccato will be very greatfully received...

Try more wrist action than arm action. Relax your arms and your wrists, it should kind of be like knocking on a door.

Good luck. I struggled tons with them but practice will pay off!

Wow, thanks for the speedy reply!!!

I am practising every day! My exam is in 3 weeks though...
I feel like everything is falling apart!!!!

I am just starting staccato scales, I think they are really hard! I have the same aching forearms problem and was told, more wrist action than finger action - I was playing the piano as if I was typing!

To even up staccato scales I've been playing them double dotted with the emphasis first on the first of a pair (eg Cd Ef Ga etc) then swapping the emphasis (cD eF gA) then playing them double (CC DD EE FF). It gets a bit annoying but it helps.

Good luck in the exam
Cat

Good Luck everybody
Panic is part of exams but enjoy them anyhow!

Many thanks for all your help, I will try more wrist action and the rhythms you suggested.

Of course this may be a reaction to getting my exam date! I'm sure everything was fine until then!!!

Staccato,

I am also doing grade 7, although not until the summer. I have most of the scales under control now although when I first started I had problems with staccato scales also. I simply found that just practising them regularly meant they got better with time. Although I don't know how you will benefit from this advice since you exam is very soon!

I wish you good luck in your exam and remember to let us know how you got on.

Shelton

Thanks for all the replies.

Shelton, do you happen to know what sort of staccato you use when playing your scales?? Do you use finger, wrist or forearm? Perhaps you use a combination?

I asked in the teachers forum but no-one is answering!

thanks!

Good luck in the Summer!

QUOTE (Keys @ Feb 20 2005, 05:57 PM)

Try more wrist action than arm action. Relax your arms and your wrists, it should kind of be like knocking on a door. Good luck. I struggled tons with them but practice will pay off!

yeh what they sed, i cant think of anythin else that could be the problem......