If you’ve ever stumbled through those rapid passages in your music, feeling like each note is a separate puzzle piece you need to hunt down, you’re definitely not alone. Fast piano runs can transform even confident late intermediate players into hesitant note-hunters. The good news? There’s a simple shift in thinking that changes everything about how you approach these tricky passages.
My Journey With Piano Runs
As both a piano player and a piano teacher, I’ve played and heard many awkward piano runs over the years. It can sometimes feel like your fingers are playing a game of Twister, but your brain wasn’t invited, right? It took time for me to find solutions that were easy and effective, because just trying to play smooth didn’t work.
What I discovered completely transformed how I teach these passages, and I’m excited to share this approach with you in the video below.
What Makes Piano Runs Different?
Here’s something that might surprise you: piano runs aren’t actually scales, even though they look similar on the page. It used to be that parts of your music were scales or chords – not both. Fast piano runs combine these elements in a way that requires different thinking.
These passages could be scales (moving one direction), or they could be scale-like patterns (like this) that outline the chords underneath and change directions mid-scale. When that second thing happens, it becomes difficult to play quickly and smoothly, even when you can play your scale and chord technique perfectly on its own.
Think of it like reading. There’s a huge difference between sounding out “C-A-T” letter by letter and reading it seamlessly as “cat.” Your brain processes the whole word at once when you’re a fluent reader.
Piano runs work the same way. You need to see the complete harmonic picture rather than individual notes. These types of patterns appear in most late intermediate level music and beyond, so learning this approach now will serve you for years to come.
Understanding the Harmonic Structure
The secret to smooth piano runs lies in recognising what’s really happening underneath all those notes. Instead of random scale patterns, these runs are actually outlining the chord progression beneath them.
Let me give you an example using “Winter at the Cabin.” The right hand run in the opening measures outlines this progression: D Major, A Major, B minor, and G Major (you can see this here). When you see and think about the harmonic structure first, your fingers suddenly know where they’re going instead of hunting for each individual note.
This is the game-changer! Once you understand that fast piano runs follow the chords underneath, those direction changes that seemed awkward suddenly make complete sense. The notes aren’t arbitrary. They’re following a logical harmonic path.
How to Practice Fast Piano Runs
Ready for the practical application? Here’s a technique you can use with any piece containing piano runs.
First, identify the chords your run is outlining. Find the notes of each chord in your passage and mark them with an arrow or heart. If you tend to “think in chords” already, write the chord name above the staff. Just remember to mark it if the bottom note isn’t the home note of the chord – for example, writing “D/A” when A is in the bass.
Next, play just the chord outline before tackling the full run. Depending on your piece, play it as a solid chord, a chord bridge, or a broken chord.
This helps you see, think, and feel the harmonic structure before adding all the other notes.
This approach transforms how your brain processes fast piano runs. Instead of reading individual notes, you’re reading harmonic chunks. Just like reading whole words instead of individual letters.
Taking It Further
Once you’ve mastered identifying chord outlines in piano runs, you can explore even more creative possibilities! In the video above, I improvised a new run pattern using the same chord progression. I just changed the bass notes so you can hear how the harmonic colour changes completely while maintaining that flowing quality.
This is only one type of fast pattern that late intermediate students find challenging. There’s another type that might seem easier at first but puts your scale practice on its head and outlines chords in a sneakier way. If you want to learn this and more, sign up for your free Meet ‘n Greet!
Your Piano Runs Practice Plan
Now it’s time to put this into action with your own music. Start by choosing one passage with fast piano runs that’s been giving you trouble. Identify the chords underneath, mark the chord tones, and play the harmonic outline first. Then gradually build up to the full run, keeping that harmonic awareness in your mind.
You’ll also want to ensure you’re comfortable reading ledger lines, since piano runs at the late intermediate level frequently venture into that territory. Master both concepts – harmonic awareness and ledger line reading – and you’ll handle these passages with genuine ease.
Which approach works better for you – marking the chord tones with symbols, or writing out the chord names? Have you discovered any other strategies that help you navigate tricky passages?
Share your experience in the comments below!
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