VSM: Piano Lessons and Piano Insights
Robert Estrin: Conquer Trills on the Piano - From the Piano Expert
Jul 29, 2026 · 20 min · 9 segments
- Speakers
Robert EstrinHost
VSM: Piano Lessons and Piano Insights
Jul 29, 2026 · 20 min · 9 segments
Robert EstrinHost
Now, those of you who have watched other technique videos of mine know that I talk about the importance of arm weight for tone production, particularly with a singing slow melody.
The fact of the matter is with trills, because their notes are so rapid, you must almost float the hand over the keys with almost no weight at all, because at the speed at which it goes, it's impossible to support any substantial weight of the arm.
The fact is there isn't time for a lot of movement, so you have to keep your fingers in contact with the keys, right at the keys.
If your fingers are outstretched, it's difficult to get fast trills, but if you utilize the other joints of the fingers by having them rounded, much easier to play rapidly.
Even though it just sounds like a bunch of random notes, you must figure out exactly how many notes you're playing, just as if it's written out, and learn how to play it just like a passage, any fast passage you would learn on the piano.
Once you master it at slow speed, work it up one notch at a time with a metronome until you have it satisfactorily completed.
Now, those of you who have watched other technique videos of mine know that I talk about the importance of arm weight for tone production, particularly with a singing slow melody.
The fact of the matter is with trills, because their notes are so rapid, you must almost float the hand over the keys with almost no weight at all, because at the speed at which it goes, it's impossible to support any substantial weight of the arm.
The fact is there isn't time for a lot of movement, so you have to keep your fingers in contact with the keys, right at the keys.
If your fingers are outstretched, it's difficult to get fast trills, but if you utilize the other joints of the fingers by having them rounded, much easier to play rapidly.
Even though it just sounds like a bunch of random notes, you must figure out exactly how many notes you're playing, just as if it's written out, and learn how to play it just like a passage, any fast passage you would learn on the piano.
Once you master it at slow speed, work it up one notch at a time with a metronome until you have it satisfactorily completed.
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