While I agree with practicing at tempo well below one's own threshold does nothing little to help gaining speed, the real question is what is that threshold and where to play around that threshold.

In my limited experience, the speed thresholds is when I begin to make occasional mistakes. If I begin to make same mistake in repeated runs, or I feel I am losing control, then that's above the threshold - time to stop and reduce the tempo! Even at the threshold, where occasional mistake happens at random slip of mind/finger, I still find prioritizing accuracy (by a couple clicks down on my metronome) is much more effective. When practicing just below my threshold, accurately and in control, for a little while, I can usually raise the tempo back up a few clicks and achieve the new speed still accurately and in control. Rinse and repeat that, is what I find the most effective way to raise speed.

In addition, scales & arpeggios are different because there mistakes generally means wrong or missed note. When practicing pieces, occasion mistakes does not mean just wrong notes. Even after I can play through a piece at tempo, I have often had to slow down to get articulation, dynamics and pedaling right before adding speed back again.

    Nightowl I've not yet encountered a piece which includes 16ths

    Those will be introduced towards the end of the book. Luckily that is a piece that is SO slow, that it feels more like you are playing 8th notes 🙂 One gorgeous piece that makes very effective use of 16ths is Musetta's Waltz - but that too sounds gorgeous whether played slow or slightly faster. Alfred just never lets us down!

    As usual I am exaggerating. It will be fine. Whatever I'm playing - I am just trying not to massacre it completely. A bit of massacre is fine 🙂

      Nightowl It seems that while progress is slow on the surface, somehow the brain gradually builds faster neural network connections. What grade is your current playing level?

      Quite right! Still, fast pieces are a challenge to me. I currently play pieces that are RCM 4-5.

      *
      ... feeling like the pianist on the Titanic ...

          iternabe practicing at tempo well below one's own threshold does nothing to help gaining speed

          I am also in the disagree camp, here. My current piece is a slow Blues and I practiced it very slowly. I got faster and faster from alone. I even did not want to speed up. Now it is too fast and I have to concentrate to keep my tempo slow during playing.

          Edit: this 👆 is when practicing without metronome. With metronome you have indeed you increase the speed from time to time. But only when you can play it errorfree enough.

            Animisha Thanks, that gives me hope that I might also reach that level of play. Currently I'm working on 3 pieces which all contain two part writing for the right hand, so they are all stretching my skills - especially the Chopin piece. I also dip into some pieces from the Alfred hits book 1, as a change from these tricky pieces. I'm making progress but book 2 is much more challenging than book 1 (which is understandable).

            "Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)

              5 days later

              Appropriate piece in my book for the time of the year... Spoooooky story!

              Background story: I was playing around with my new keyboard and the sounds. I thought that one would match the theme of this tune. And I also wanted to test the Yamaha Rec'n'Share app.

              It's not very well played... but I had to abandon it to keep the peace in the family 😃 While I was recording this, my husband came in and declared it was the most awful thing he ever heard. I told him it's called Spooky Story - to which he replied "Sound like it! More like a Nightmare. When are you done with it?" (I will spare you the rest of his complaints, they were all in the same vain anyway) So yeah, I didn't dare any more takes after that. Even the cats stayed away! ^_^

              Yes, I know, a headset would be the solution... but the song wasn't worth that much effort anyway...

              Anyway, here it is.... Spooky Story (page 48) - never to be touched again.

              As usual I am exaggerating. It will be fine. Whatever I'm playing - I am just trying not to massacre it completely. A bit of massacre is fine 🙂

                Sophia It made me smile although I guess I prefer to be in the audience.

                  Sophia Anyway, here it is.... Spooky Story (page 48) - never to be touched again.

                  Is that a promise? 😄🙃

                  I'm with your husband on this one - something about that sound effect hurts my ears. Well played though.

                  "Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)

                      The sound reminded me on good ol "Ghost n Goblins" computer game. Ok, not the same sound and not the same tune, but the same mood. I liked it - well played! 👻👍

                      One tip for future practice: Get a good pair of headphones. Or an attic. Whatever is cheaper.

                        WieWaldi Get a good pair of headphones. Or an attic.

                        Great suggestions! He is quite relieved you didn't come up with a third solution:

                        Nightowl Is that a promise?

                        You be careful what you wish for... now I'm quite tempted to pierce your ears with "Modern Sounds" in a bagpipes voice setting... 😆

                        As usual I am exaggerating. It will be fine. Whatever I'm playing - I am just trying not to massacre it completely. A bit of massacre is fine 🙂

                              OMG, please tell me you're joking and there's no bagpipes option on your new toy! What sort of sadist invented such an instrument of torture?!? 😬

                              Funny you mentioned "Modern Sounds" - after listening to that piece and several other excuses for music from book 3 I've decided I'm probably not going to buy book 3. Playing awful pieces comes with the territory of being a beginner, but once I've finished book 2 I'll be done with Alfred's.

                              I recently bought a book called Very Easy Classics which has several of the nicer pieces from book 3, and apparently they are all arranged for people playing at levels 1 to 3, so I'm hoping they will be manageable. I will start that book once I've gone further into book 2. I'm about to start work on Polovetsian Dance, which is quite a pretty piece.

                              "Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)

                              Hehe, yeah I simply knew that would definitely not be your taste

                              I hear you on book 3. I'm not sure if I would have bothered if I hadn't purchased all three in one set. But now that I have it, I'd say that about one third of the pieces are quite nice or just plain fun to play... the rest are between meh and dreadful. I'd argue that the additional theory makes it worth it though.

                              That said... the piece that I just started introduces arpeggios and I can already tell we're not going to be good friends. I understand the need to learn them, but they remind me of an opera singer in a warming up exercise... going up and down and up and down.

                              Which gives me more time to taunt/haunt you with spooky toons

                              As usual I am exaggerating. It will be fine. Whatever I'm playing - I am just trying not to massacre it completely. A bit of massacre is fine 🙂

                              Sophia He is quite relieved you didn't come up with a third solution

                              Earplugs?

                                The kitties were conspicuous by their absence... good breeding shows. 😀 Cats have such sensitive ears, they could probably still hear the cacophony from a mile away - have pity on them Sophia!

                                "Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)

                                Well, after skipping some more awful (to my ears!) pieces and still polishing that arpeggios piece, I just started Adagio in A Major (Morovsky). Nightowl, I think that piece is right up your alley, it's absolutely lovely: gentle and lyrical! It would be a sacrilege to play THAT on my keyboard in a spooky voice 😂

                                It's also another stretch piece for me - quite literally as it turns out! At first I thought the book made mistakes in the fingering... those stretches couldn't possibly be played realistically. But after spending a few minutes with the first bars, it started to make sense. Now I'm quite enjoying this new challenge and probably found another piece to spend extra time with 😊

                                As usual I am exaggerating. It will be fine. Whatever I'm playing - I am just trying not to massacre it completely. A bit of massacre is fine 🙂

                                Well Sophia, you talk of it being a stretch piece, then say that after "spending a few minutes with the first bars" it starts to make sense. So... it's actually not that difficult for you, but remember the rest of us mere mortals might take an hour to achieve what you manage in a few minutes! 😬 So stop being so annoyingly blatant about your innate talent or I might have to throw a strop about how unfair it is! [Stamps feet and feels urge to throw something at Sophia.] If you weren't so annoyingly likeable this would be even more annoying than it already is!
                                Meanwhile I'm working on the Chopin Etude, but progress is painfully slow. I am just working on the first 8 bars, hands separate, and even that is pushing my mediocre ability. I have read comments online where people say they think this piece is more like grade 3/late intermediate level than grade 2, and I'm beginning to agree with them. Which is why I'll be content if I manage to play this section hands together this side of Christmas 2025.

                                "Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)

                                  Nightowl ...after "spending a few minutes with the first bars" it starts to make sense. So... it's actually not that difficult for you

                                  Heh, no. I wish, lol. I mean it makes sense that it's physically possible to play C# and A with thumb and index finger - something I had never even considered until now. It felt really awkward at first, but it can be done! Same with some other finger settings.

                                  I can play the first two bars now, at about this speed but not quite as smoothly:

                                  Edit: if it makes you feel any better, I still can't play that gorgeous Chopin piece smoothy either - there is something very, very difficult about it!

                                  Spoiler alert: I actually planned on playing that Chopin piece for the first recital here on PT. There was no way I could learn it in that time, and settled on a later piece in the book that was actually a lot easier to play (Fascination). So you're making FASTER progress than me, you rascal!

                                  As usual I am exaggerating. It will be fine. Whatever I'm playing - I am just trying not to massacre it completely. A bit of massacre is fine 🙂

                                    Thanks Sophia. I take small comfort in knowing that you find Chopin difficult too. I've previously read the expression "There's no such thing as an easy Chopin piece" and I feel there's truth in those words. It's the unusual note combinations that are tricky, but those are exactly what makes the piece so hauntingly beautiful. <Not when I play it though, obviously.>
                                    His sad music is even more poignant when you consider how young he was when he died - just 39 years old. This thought often pops into my brain when I hear his music.

                                    "Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)

                                    Yes, Chopin is very difficult. In fact the page mentions that the Morovsky piece is a preparation for the Chopin Prelude in A Major, which is in the "ambitious" section. Gorgeous piece, and probably one of his best known. But her hands are spread out like butterflies!

                                    But is quite a ways off for me still.... first I have a few previous pieces to polish, this new one to learn AND a blues lesson to finish 😅

                                    As usual I am exaggerating. It will be fine. Whatever I'm playing - I am just trying not to massacre it completely. A bit of massacre is fine 🙂

                                    Yes, that's another lovely Chopin piece, and that pianist makes it look so easy. The whole video is just 1 minute long, but I think it could take me hours to learn that piece. I have taken a break from the Chopin Etude and moved on to Swingin' Sevenths, which I managed to pick up quite quickly. As a diversion I've started playing pieces from my Very Easy Classics book - including Fur Elise. It's manageable and has a certain charm, but apparently many piano teachers can't stand the sound of it, due to years of hearing beginners massacre the piece. 🙃 Understandable.
                                    I wish I was at the stage where I could sight read these classic pieces and play them nicely after just two or three plays, but currently it requires more like two or three hundred plays to achieve that! Ah well, I have plenty of time and the gardening season is over, so I may as well plod on.
                                    I don't think I will be submitting anything to the next recital, as nearly every piece I'm currently playing is either too tricky for me to play well at the right tempo, or is dull as ditch water. I'm in that piano limbo land where I'm moving so slowly I'm almost stationary, but I'm trying to be patient.

                                    "Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)

                                      Nightowl I'm in that piano limbo land where I'm moving so slowly I'm almost stationary, but I'm trying to be patient.

                                      Yes! That's an awful stage of the piano journey. I'm not going to lie, that's the point where I gave up in the past. And gave up. And gave up. This is the FIRST time I managed to get past that point, and it feels so good! Remember that pot of gold that's just around the bend.....

                                      It took me three attempts to get to the honey pot. And I just can't believe I gave up so close before the finish line (of that particular stage in the journey). Don't be me. Don't give up 😃

                                      I hear you on Fur Elise though. It's in my book too but there is no way I am going to spend more time with than absolutely necessary. That and a few other pieces are played to death and I want no part of them 😁

                                      As usual I am exaggerating. It will be fine. Whatever I'm playing - I am just trying not to massacre it completely. A bit of massacre is fine 🙂

                                        Can't believe our kittens are a year old already! We got them in March and they have ruled the roost ever since. They are incredibly insane, incredibly cute, incredibly intelligent, incredibly busy and incredibly rambunxious. Ok let me summarize that, they are incredibly incredible. So what does that have to do with the Alfred thread?

                                        Well, this morning my mom started "nagging" me for a new piece. Of course she is almost exclusively into classical music, so I figured I might have polished the Adagio enough to record... not quite recital worthy, but "look mom, this is what I'm currently working on" level. Yeah, no. Sandy decided he needed some love, and he needed it NOW.

                                        Gone was my concentration, gone was my ability to string two notes together correctly... so yeah. I gave up. At least until the kittens find something else to do 😂

                                        As usual I am exaggerating. It will be fine. Whatever I'm playing - I am just trying not to massacre it completely. A bit of massacre is fine 🙂

                                        Interesting technique you have for learning how to keep your hands and wrists up and steady while playing. 🤣

                                          Player1 Yes, quite unique. Maybe this is something I should try... if only Sophia lived nearer I could kitnap borrow Sandy and see if my technique improves! 😄
                                          I think the kittens deserve their own YT channel - they have star quality!

                                          "Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)

                                            Lol true! I always thought of them as the ultimate scapegoat to blame my most terrible mistakes on or at least distract from them, but I never realized their educational potential! Next they'll demand a salary on top of their star status...

                                            As usual I am exaggerating. It will be fine. Whatever I'm playing - I am just trying not to massacre it completely. A bit of massacre is fine 🙂

                                              Grow some catnip for them, then film them going into a frenzy as they destroy it! They're already rambunctious but catnip will take it to another level! 😄

                                              "Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)

                                              Ah, Simba was sat there quietly looking forward to hearing some lovely music, then a kitten came along to sabotage things! No wonder he took a swipe at him! Maybe when the kitties mature they will appreciate classical music more, but in the meantime how about playing them a little bit of Mary Had a Little Lamb? 😄

                                              "Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)

                                              Sophia Lol true! I always thought of them as the ultimate scapegoat to blame my most terrible mistakes on or at least distract from them, but I never realized their educational potential! Next they'll demand a salary on top of their star status...

                                              They're also quite handy for getting views on your channel. My most popular video (by far) is the one where the cat sings duet in the background.

                                              Apparently the internet loves cat videos, even the accidental ones.

                                                Ok, 100% true story here. My husband was making some noise (cleaning noises, always welcome, so no complaints there). I was trying to get a recording in between, but had to stop several times because of the clanging and banging. Soooo, it didn't go too well because everytime halfway through I had to stop for the noise. But, you know, when you're in the mood for a recording, then there is no stopping you.

                                                Finally, during a quiet moment I played it, and it went exceptionally well... no errors, smooth playing, beautiful ending... and a quiet Simba sitting there enjoying himself, no kittens in sight. Applaus! Then I went to push the "stop" button and what do you know. I HAD NEVER PUSHED THE RECORD BUTTON! Boy did I make the piano blush with my language that time!

                                                Anyway, I tried again a few minutes later - Simba was gone by then and so had my husband - but of course I made a little mistake that time. No longer in the mood to record it again, I tried to mask it but I'm sure @WieWaldi will spot the seam right away anyway 😃 Still, I believe it's good enough for mom so here it is, flaw (cut out) and all. Onward to the blues lesson at last!

                                                As usual I am exaggerating. It will be fine. Whatever I'm playing - I am just trying not to massacre it completely. A bit of massacre is fine 🙂

                                                  Sophia I'm sure @WieWaldi will spot the seam right away anyway 😃

                                                  Challenge accepted...

                                                  wait...

                                                  wait...

                                                  moment...

                                                  Nothing found. You played so beautiful that I got dizzy at 1:18.

                                                      Nicely played Sophia, another one you can cross off the list. 🙂 You can breathe a sigh of relief now, and stop playing the piece before you end up hating it - which is kind of where I'm at, right now.

                                                      I totally relate to your story where you played perfectly then discovered you hadn't pressed the record button - been there, done that, and cursed very loudly! SO frustrating!

                                                      Today I recorded a practice session and managed to play a piece nicely after two failed attempts. I quickly pressed the stop button then later I attempted to edit the video to remove the first couple of minutes of duff playing, so I would have my recital piece ready, but found that the app does not allow me to edit videos - it is only for photos, despite the misleading description online - doh! 😬 Sometimes I loathe technology. Things get more complicated every day.

                                                      "Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)

                                                        WieWaldi I got dizzy at 1:18.

                                                        Dizzy? I warned you about

                                                        Nah you got it, good for you!! I need to find a better trick obviously!

                                                        Nightowl Today I recorded a practice session and managed to play a piece nicely after two failed attempts.

                                                        That's a crying shame! I'm sure you would be able to find something to cut the start off? Doesn't Youtube allow that even?

                                                        Here you go Nightowl:

                                                        I never tried it, but seems easy enough!

                                                        As usual I am exaggerating. It will be fine. Whatever I'm playing - I am just trying not to massacre it completely. A bit of massacre is fine 🙂

                                                            YouTube itself can cut out scenes???!?!? Wow - this I didn't know

                                                            Anyway, @Nightowl I strongly recommend to get an easy video editor software on your computer. Mine was quite cheap and is very intuitive to operate. Quite cheap is still some money ($50 to $80, depends). If I hadn't bought it alrady, I would try out DaVinci Resolve Free.
                                                            It allows cuts, insert texts, and does a lot of other fancy effects. I really prefer cutting locally on my machine instead in YouTube.

                                                              @Sophia I recommend some overblend technique to you. Either this cropping thing (e.g. closeup of your hands, then entire keyboard), or insert a nice picture or some snippets of your kittens for a few seconds.

                                                              This one gave me the idea of how to make use of cropping in post (this is a very old video):

                                                                Nightowl if you only need to trim video, the best software to use is ShutterEncoder. It’s free. It works on PC and Mac. And it’s really quick.

                                                                If you ever want to learn more advanced video editing, I second @WieWaldi ’s recommendation of Davinci Resolve. Not only is it free, but it’s super powerful and very popular even among pros.

                                                                  WieWaldi Wow, you have excellent eyesight to spot the seam at 1.18 - I had to replay the vid to spot that tiny blur. 🙂
                                                                  Thanks for advice. I had never made videos or uploaded to YT until I needed to do it to take part in a recital - it's all a massive learning curve for me. DaVinci looks good, but when I looked at the link I found that it is not suitable to work with my Chromebook (which does not have Windows). I could just buy a basic package, but my Chromebook is over 3 years old so I don't know whether it's worth going that route - what happens to the app if/when my Chromebook becomes obsolete? In some ways I would rather spend money on a nice camera which allows me to edit videos before loading them onto my Chromebook for upload to YT. Also, it would be handy to use for taking photographs - currently I use the camera function on my Chromebook but it's a cumbersome thing to manipulate when I want to photograph something out in the garden. I am a dim dino and find all this tech stuff puzzling.

                                                                  Sophia - I did wonder about editing on YT - do you think I could keep the status of the video private until I have edited it? It would be cringeworthy if the unedited version went public.

                                                                  "Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)