Any tips on piano trills?

Question

When I try to play the simplest Bach Minuet, I just get killed on the trills. I love how they sound, but have trouble reproducing them myself -- it's like my fingers get frozen and I don't have any control over them. Any tips?

Answer 1

Try this link:
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/piano/75798

Answer 2

I hate trills too! But like someone else said, play them slowly to a metronome. If you stab each note (not aggressively, but heavily, and use the weight of your arm to help) and lift your fingers really high, they get a bit of a work out. Imagine your fingers are power-walking!

Start with quavers, then increase to triplets at the same speed, then semiquavers etc. Always play right to the bottom of the keys.

Once your fingers start to get the hang of it, you can lighten up on the touch to make them flow more smoothly. But as soon as they feel they are running away with you again, go back to square one.

Hope this helps!

PS Make sure your fingers are curved too, this gives you more control over their movement

Answer 3

Practice trills alone. there are some nice start up pieces that help you target. I also find that exercising my fingers before a piece helps. Get some stimulation and it'll help the mind tell the fingers to move faster.

Answer 4

The best fingerings to use first, are either 2-3, or 2-4. You just have to practice them slow and with a metronome. It sounds REALLY boring, but believe me, it works like a charm. You have to be able to play something slow and EVEN before you can play something fast and even. It's worth the work, trust me.

Answer 5

The only thing you can do is practice and practice. I like trills on the piano, too!

Answer 6

Hanson practice book is the best!