Octave Tremolo Pathetique

Hi, I've followed your advice on octave tremolo's from craft of piano playing. I've been struggling with the 1st movement of the Pathetique Sonata. So I used to have tension in my wrist. After attempting to be more conscious of using my fingers and generating arch structure, the tension has now moved to my tricep. I can feel the tricep working like in the video but I still feel tension in it when trying to play fast. Is this normal or am I doing something else wrong?

@Alan I think we should answer this one, well you will, in the podcast. We will record a new episode by the end of this week. The podcast is now on iTunes as well. Search for Piano Technique Podcast or listen to us here:

This is a very interesting experience you are relating; I am fascinated by it. To my mind the "tension" you are experiencing in your triceps is actually just the tonus needed to do that tremolando well. We are so unused to these levels of tonus that we think it's tension. But that's just because we are chronically over-relaxed. I think the sensation in your triceps is excellent and you should keep cultivating it. You are on the right track. Even see if you can make it more intense - the tremolando could get even easier. AFF