Learn to Play: Fast Piano Runs (Fills)

Fast piano runs - or fills, as they're often called - can make your playing seem mature and sophisticated. Learning to play them can really help you wow your audience, but this might be difficult to master. In this video lesson you will learn how to practice your piano runs. I will present you with a few exercises in increasing order of difficulty to build up your technique and speed.

To master the art of playing fast piano fills, you must basically practice your right hand arpeggiation skills. This involves being able to play a chord "up and down the piano". By practicing first running "up" and then running "up and down" the piano, you can slowly build your technique. This "Learn To Play" video will also discuss fingering, which is equally important when practicing. Finally, some sophisticated voicings will be shown to yield a very mature sound. Developing your speed and playing fast is always a challenge, but if you practice daily you will be able to play those fast piano fills before long!

Piano runs are a great device to "fill in the gaps" at the end of a musical phrase, but you should be mindful not to overuse them. This has the effect of turning your performance in a caricature.

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My Related Videos
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I have many other related piano lessons on Youtube which you are welcome to check out. The most related is probably my two-part arpeggio lesson which focuses on how to turn a left hand chord into an arpeggio:

One of my videos about developing right hand technique: useful for improving all aspects of your piano playing, and in particular your runs and fills:

Here's a "cheat" for doubling your playing speed using a delay unit if you have one (you will need a digital piano or synthesizer):

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Other Related Links
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A beautiful rendition of the mother of all piano runs, Chopin's Etude No. 1 in C Major, by Evgeny Kissin:

A fellow Youtuber who has taken his left hand fills and runs exercises quite seriously. His left hand arpeggiation is quite good:

[AlexaMorales]

Love the advice to go as slow as you need. "If there's one thing I've regretted, it's going too fast too soon." Wow, deep!

[MichaelSmith-hsiu]

Your video on the runs has made me learn to recognize the sets of keys and makes the practice almost too much fun. At 76 I'll never be a real pianist, but, this sure is fun learning from guys like you. I sincerely appreciate what you are doing for all of us that want to be able to play a little something on the piano. Thank You for

[MangoldProject]

The kind words of encouragement I receive from the Youtube community of viewers is precisely what motivates me and other Youtube video makers like me to keep making and posting videos online. I enjoy knowing my knowledge has helped other people to improve. Commenting on videos is the most honest, direct way of encouraging Youtube content makers to keep working. I thank you and all other commentators who make this video more interactive and interesting for me and everyone else watching.

[Thenewguy]

You’re incredible for the simple fact of putting the notes for each chord. You don’t just assume we know chords, thank you.

[eneri]

Thank you! It's really difficult to learn to play when you don't have a teacher. Playing the piano is my dream and these videos are really helpful :D

[stacystacksbeats]

I love this teacher, yes the music industry uses simple chord progressions
however the engineers and producers have very good techniques to hiding the chords within the music, and making them sound really complex, Even though your ear says that's sounds so easy. Well why would they do this? Because anyone can use that same chord progression and write a completely new song. Hats off to this teacher.

[jakubjunga]

Hints like "play in a comfortable stride, i.e. slowly and accurately without rush." They are priceless, they are the basis. Thanks a lot. :)

[MangoldProject]

@nir meidam: Due to Youtube commenting issues I can't reply directly to your comment, so I hope you'll be able to see this. You asked: " if i want to do runs with my left hand should i do the same thing?" Yes, you can adjust the exercise to fit your left hand, but I have to say that fast left hand runs are a lot less common than right hand runs. However, left hand independence is a great thing to have, so by all means go ahead and do it! You also asked: "just by doing it with my right hand will make it easier using my left hand?" No, whatever you build up in your right hand will not transfer itself to your left. We have to train the left hand independently if we want both hands to be in shape :).

[geoffreydowen]

I'm 62 and just started playing after a stroke God bless you buddy for helping me recover from the UK.

[augustiliagomespinto]

I have watched many beginner videos for piano runs but hands down, yours is the most encouraging! The visual slow playing of chords with the correct fingers, and your no rush technique is so helpful! Thank you!

[MangoldProject]

@Fletcher: I can't reply to your comment directly due to Youtube's really sucky commenting system, so I hope you see this indirect reply. The progression is Cmaj7 to F, to Dm, to F (with a transition C/E chord between the Dm and F). Hope that helps!

[Modes]

I like the piece of advice you give at the end about slow practice. The end goal should be playing with equal strength and conviction at any speed. There's nothing like a slow, legato scale or arpeggio sequence played in time without rushing or dragging.

[smrtpngnbn]

All I can say is you're a great teacher, I can't afford tutorials in piano but thanks to your videos, because of that I didn't skip all the ads as my little payment. :)

[NinaSoyfer]

this is perfect for students who are learning to improvise - to do runs after a chord it taken. Exactly what I was looking for my jazz student. thanks so much

[CASMANWHAT]

wonderful tutorial and very great articulation on technique. thanks for this.

[lejendary]

I know I'm seven years late, but this was really helpful, so I really want to thank you for this!

[Lisa-ekxn]

This guy’s so damn lovely man he needs more recognition

[mubafaw]

Very gifted teacher. 😊 Thanks for breaking this down in a clear, easy to follow and structured chunks.

[Ojokernegro]

Side note: Runs sound best when using the sustain pedal. If it sounds off then just press the pedal.

[KaitavSapreMusic]

I have been following your videos from a few months now, and I have feeling that your videos are probably the only ones I need to follow to learn faster, because these are the top goals I am currently working on 1.hand/finger independence 2. practicing triad inversions in all keys 3. arps and runs, and you are covering all of these very nicely. Your teaching is excellent, but your content selection, order and timing are even more excellent. Thank you so much.