Author Archives: arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

About arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Private piano teacher, recording artist, composer, piano finder, freelance writer, film maker, story teller: Grad of the NYC HS of Performing Arts, Oberlin Conservatory, NYU (Master of Arts) Studies with Lillian Freundlich and Ena Bronstein; Master classes with Murray Perahia and Oxana Yablonskaya. Studios in BERKELEY and EL CERRITO, California; Member, Music Teachers Assoc. of California, MTAC; Distance learning at POWHOW: http://www.powhow.com/classes/shirley-kirsten and Skyped instruction available plus exchange videos: SKYPE ID, shirleypiano1 Contact me at: shirley_kirsten@yahoo.com OR http://www.youtube.com/arioso7 or at FACEBOOK: Shirley Smith Kirsten, http://facebook.com /shirley.kirsten TWITTER: http://twitter.com/arioso7 Private fund-raising for non-profits as pianist--Public Speaking re: piano teaching and creative approaches

Piano Lessons: The parent/teacher relationship-- striking the right balance (Humor)

Posted on June 17, 2013

Reblogged from Arioso7's Blog: The relationship between the piano teacher and parent is a work in progress. Nothing should be taken for granted. Here are various case scenarios and categories: I. The Arm chair teacher-parent, aka the back seat driver … Continue reading →

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Piano practicing and blocking techniques

Posted on June 16, 2013

I was originally enlightened about the value of blocking out intricate and tricky passages when I attended a rehearsal of Rudolf Serkin and the New York Philharmonic. He was about to play the Beethoven “Emperor” Concerto No. 5 with its … Continue reading →

Posted in Beethoven, Beethoven Sonata Pathetique Op. 13 No. 8, classissima, classissima.com, piano, piano practicing Sonata Pathetique Op. 13 No. 8, Uncategorized, word press, word press.com, wordpress, you tube, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube | Tagged Beethoven Sonata Pathetique No. 8 Op. 13, Berkeley California, Berkeley piano studio, blocking in piano practicing, blocking techniques in piano practicing, chunking in piano practicing, classissima, classissima.com, El Cerrito piano studio, First movement Sonata Pathetique Op. 13, Ludwig Van Beethoven, piano, piano addict, piano instruction, piano lesson, piano practicing, piano street, piano technique, Piano World, pianoworldwide, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, Sonata Pathetique No. 8 Op. 13, using rhythms in piano practicing, Word Press, wordpress.com, You Tube, youtube.com | Leave a comment

Revisiting Beethoven’s “Pathetique” Sonata, Op. 13 GRAVE

Posted on June 12, 2013

It’s nostalgia time for me, reconnecting with the Pathetique that I butchered as a teenager before I landed in the good hands of mentor, Lillian Freundlich. The teacher before, lived about 4 blocks away, but was miles off the mark … Continue reading →

Posted in Beethoven Pathetique Sonata, classissima, classissima.com, Grave Beethoven Pathetique Sonata, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to Calfornia, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, Ludwig Van Beethoven, piano, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged analyzing the GRAVE of Beethoven Pathetique sonata, classissima, classissima.com, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, Lillian Freundlich, Ludwig Van Beethoven, New York City High School of Performing Arts, Pathetique sonata by Beethoven, piano, piano addict, piano instruction, piano lessons, piano teaching, Piano World, pianoworldwide, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, Wordpress, wordpress.com, You Tube, youtube.com | Leave a comment

Piano Technique: Scoop it up, loop around 4-note Arpeggios (in inversions)

Posted on June 11, 2013

These particular arpeggios in 4-note sequences are some of my favorite warm-up routines. Although most students find them tricky to navigate, certain “cues” planted in the psyche assist a smoother ride. The video demonstration below lays out preliminary blocking techniques … Continue reading →

Posted in arpeggios, arpeggios in inversions, classissima, classissima.com, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano arpeggios in inversions, piano instruction, piano lessons, piano technique, shirley kirsten piano teacher B, Shriley Kirsten piano teacher El Cerrito California, whole body listening, whole body music listening, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged 4 note arpeggios, arpeggios for the piano, classissima, classissima.com, pianist, piano addict, piano instruction, piano lessons, piano street, piano technique, Piano World, pianoworldwide, Shirley Kirsten, shirley kirsten Berkeley piano lessons, Shirley Kirsten El Cerrito piano lessons, Shirley Smith Kirsten, supple wrist in piano playing, Wordpress, wordpress.com, You Tube, you tube.com | Leave a comment

Piano Technique: Looping Arpeggios in Contrary Motion and how to master them

Posted on June 9, 2013

Arpeggios are fun-filled, broken chord escapades across the keyboard. In legato form, they’re chock full of rolling motions–but even if rendered staccato, they never really lose their SHAPE. In the attached video I explore the very build-up I use when … Continue reading →

Posted in piano, piano instruction, piano lessons, piano technique, shaping arpeggios at the piano, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, word press, word press.com, wordpress, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged arpeggios, arpeggios in contrary motion, Berkeley piano lessons, classissima, classissima.com, El Cerrito piano lessons, how to practice arpeggios, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, pianist, piano, piano addict, piano instruction, piano lessons, piano street, piano technique, Piano World, piano worldwide, shaping arpeggios at the piano, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, Wordpress, wordpress.com, You Tube, youtube.com | Leave a comment

Piano Technique: No back and forth head bobbing for Contrary Motion scales

Posted on June 8, 2013

Many students have dizzying head movements when faced with the challenge of playing scales (or arpeggios) in contrary motion, (or from opposite directions starting at a keyboard mid-point) To address a growing problem among students young and old, I devised … Continue reading →

Posted in classissima, contrary motion scales for the piano, f minor scale in contrary motion, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano technique, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged classissima, classissima.com, contrary motion scales for the piano, F minor scale in contrary motion, Jouranl of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano, piano addict, piano instruction, piano lesson, piano street, piano technique, Piano World, piano worldwide, Wordpress, wordpress.com, You Tube, youtube.com | 2 Comments

Sister and brother piano lessons in the Hills

Posted on June 8, 2013

I enjoy my weekly journey to a home way up in the Hills of El Cerrito (neighbor to Berkeley) There, I teach Lucy and Fritz who play a lovely, resonant Baldwin Acrosonic that I advised mom to purchase (over at … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgmuller, Burgmuller 25 Progressive Pieces, Burgmuller Inquietude, classissima, classissima.com, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano, piano instruction, piano instruction by Skype, piano instructor, piano learning, piano lesson, piano lessons, piano lessons and parental support, piano lessons by Skype, piano lessons in Berkeley California, piano lessons in El Cerrito California, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, word press, word press.com, wordpress, you tube video, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged "Flamenco" by William Gillock, Berkeley piano lessons, Burgmuller, El Cerrito CA, El Cerrito piano lessons, Friedrich Burgmuller, Inquietude by Burgmuller, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano, piano addict, piano instruction, piano learning, piano lessons, piano street, piano teaching, Piano World, piano worldwide, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, William Gillock | Leave a comment

Alessandro Deljavan is a Cliburn winner for me!

Posted on June 5, 2013

Over at the Piano World forums, it’s the morning after selection of Cliburn Competition finalists, and many are aghast that a dynamic, soulful, and risk-taking pianist was overlooked. Here’s what one poster said: “Competition winners are typically the reliable pianists … Continue reading →

Posted in Alessandro Deljavan, Bohzanov pianist, classissima, classissima.com, piano competitions, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged Alessandro Deljavan, Claire Huangci, classissima, classissima.com, Evgeni Bozhanov, pianists, piano, piano addict, piano competitions, Piano World, piano worldwide, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, Van Cliburn, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Wordpress, wordpress.com, You Tube, youtube.com | 4 Comments

Beethoven Pianos on W. 58th is a treasure of restored pianos, and new ones, too.

Posted on June 4, 2013

It’s a good sign when a piano establishment is open on Memorial Day! In the glow of its colorful banner, Beethoven’s was such a welcoming opportunity of which I availed myself. An important “player” on Manhattan’s “piano row,” it’s one … Continue reading →

Posted in Bechstein, Beethoven Piano Store in Manhattan, Carl Demler, classissima, classissima.com, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano restoration, piano restorers, restored pianos, Steinway vintage pianos, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged 232 W. 58th Street NYC, Andrew Townsend, Bechstein, Bechstein piano, Beethoven piano store, Beethoven Piano Store in Manhattan, Carl Demler, classissima, classissima.com, Hailun, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano, piano addict, piano restoration, piano street, Piano World, piano worldwide, pianos, pianos for sale, restored Steinway pianos, Sauter, Sauter piano, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, vintage Steinway grand pianos, Word Press, wordpress.com, you tube. youtube.com | Leave a comment

Seymour Bernstein’s riveting statement about the piano competition environment and what changes are needed

Posted on June 3, 2013

Seymour Bernstein's riveting statement about the piano competition environment and what changes are needed.