Different dynamics in each hand

[princessmoose]

What are the ways to get one hand louder/quieter than the other? Does it require putting the piece in question to one side and trying it with simple exercises such as scales?

[Steve Hopwood]

There is a neat exercise you can use to help.

'Shadow play' the accompaniment. That means pretending to play it, moving your fingers as though they were playing the notes but not actually pressing them.

Add in the melody, whilst still shadowing the accomp.

When you are used to this, really bang out the melody.

All this teaches your muscles to coordinate playing using different strengths.

Finally, moderate the melody to a singing tone and actually play the accompaniment. You will find you can make the melody sing over a soft accompaniment.

Some people get things right in one session; others need two or three, so persevere if things don't work out immediately.

Steve

[princessmoose]

Thank-you .

[anacrusis]

Maybe a very duff pianist shouldn't add anything to Steve's excellent answer...but I also found it helped just to think of the melody as I was playing, almost ignoring the accompaniment. Only works once the accompaniment is on automatic pilot, though.

[AnotherPianist]

anacrusis said:

Maybe a very duff pianist shouldn't add anything to Steve's excellent answer...but I also found it helped just to think of the melody as I was playing, almost ignoring the accompaniment. Only works once the accompaniment is on automatic pilot, though.

That's something that helped me too . Get both parts so you don't have to think too hard to play them, and then just think about the notes you want to come out. Sometimes it just happens by magic .