Right now, I should be playing those extra large humongo Beethoven sonatas and Chopin fantasies, nocturnes, and large poloniases/etudes but with my no-good-hand-that-can't-fully-reach-an-octave-hands, I get held up into pieces a level or 2 levels down my ability. I'm still only playing chopin Grand Waltzes which are perfectly fine because I am a total Chopin Geek but I really want to play those beautiful poloniases and etc...
I'm still practicing octaves but I still don't seem to stretch very well...Any tips to keep that hand stretching?
The best answer to yor question can be found in chapter four of the film, The Craft of Piano Playing. Alan Fraser explains how, when you have a small hand, you tend to worsen the problem by tensing it in the attempt to stretch it to an 8ve. The solution is to collapse the arch, mash your palm into the keys, let go of all desire to play an 8ve, and discover how your hand can relax, even when in extension. The secret is to keep your moveability when you go into extension. I can't really explain it all here, but he shows it very clearly in the film. There is also a longer explanation in the chapter, Big Sound from a Small Hand, in the book. I hope this helps!!
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