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so i have this problem with my fingers. normally i consider my forte to be my fingers but i am having a big problem with repeated figures. specifically the end to the Ponchielli there is an Eb major arpeggio that goes up to the G above the staff and back down over and over for two measures. maybe I'm just retarded. does anyone else have issues with these figures. I really want to do this piece this summer with our wind ensemble for the summer concert series, but these two bars are keeping me from attempting it. maybe I'll just try and be patient and take it slow (its gonna take a lot of patience since I've been working at tis lick for quite a long time)

You could try playing the G's with 3rd valve instead of 12.

Otherwise try the standard stuff:

- Start slowly and work to get it faster gradually

- Practice short chunks of it. Start with just the 1st upward arpeggio. As it gets really clean, add the first downward arpeggio. If that does not go smoothly, then leave a beat of rest between the upward and downward arpeggios (repeat the downbeat note when you do the downward one).

- I also like to slow it down to the point where I can play it cleanly. Then pay attention to how the fingers move. You'll probably find that there are one or two transitions where your fingers jerk and feel awkward. Even though you can play it well at that tempo, when your fingers don't move smoothly the lick won't work at a faster tempo. Figure out why your fingers jerk. Sometimes it is just a matter of paying a little attention along the way. Maybe one of your fingers doesn't want to lift up after a certain note, for example.

I think the only thing left out of the wonderful advice given already is to pay attention the the curviture of your fingers. I find myself and my students playing "flat fingered" all too often. This can be a big hinderance to clarity and often leads to dexterity problems.

Don't be afraid to play it slowly. Really slowly. I feel it's always better to keep putting perfect, slower performances in the bank rather than being too eager to get the lick up to tempo. Repetition is a powerful thing--practice it wrong, it will be wrong; practice it right it will be right.

My thoughts. Good luck.

Jarrod Williams

No kidding here: this is a possible slippery slope towards dystonia, dystonia being body parts that get worse at what you're trying to teach them to do, the more you practice. Back off from however you're approaching it (by feel, or whatever you're doing) and go at it a different way.
Not trying to be alarmist, but I have surely been there and done that, got the T shirt and burned the T shirt in the back yard. Do less, not more, mentally.
MA

Willie...

Stop jacking around.....just play it.

I love you...and I have no better advice to offer...I am not good.

Seriously...too much good advice for this thread to continue I feel. I just offer support for someone I know as a great musician and friend.

Knock it out the box, dawg....

AVC