As a child, I had some ability to play pianissimo<\/i>, at least in slow passages, but was less comfortable in piano<\/i>. I thought piano<\/i> ought to be easier than pianissimo<\/i>, but it wasn’t. <\/p>\n
Over many years, I worked on soft playing, trying out my own and others’ ideas; and I did improve somewhat, to the point of getting a compliment on my pianissimo from someone whose judgment I trust. This series of postings presents what I’ve learned so far. May you find it useful!<\/p>\n
By the way, I’m writing on the assumption that your piano’s action—the key-mechanism—is properly adjusted. Playing a piano that’s “out of regulation” is like driving a car with a loose steering wheel.<\/p>\n
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I. The fastest way to good soft playing: Just do it!<\/p>\n
Another fast way: Imitate someone who does it well.<\/p>\n
It’s easy to make fun of such exhortations—like “Just say no!,” they can sound simple-minded—but I think they help some people a lot, and many people at least a little. A flutist I know says that hearing James Galway makes her play better for the next 45 minutes. My own practice improves after I watch Carlos Kleiber conduct:<\/p>\n
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