Tag Archives: piano

Piano practicing and blocking techniques

Posted on June 16, 2013 by

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on June 12, 2013 by

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on June 9, 2013 by

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on June 8, 2013 by

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sister and brother piano lessons in the Hills

Posted on June 8, 2013 by

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alessandro Deljavan is a Cliburn winner for me!

Posted on June 5, 2013 by

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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

Posted on June 4, 2013 by

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on June 2, 2013 by

“Are all of you listening to one spectacular young pianist after another? (Cliburn Competition in progress) “Why should they have to be placed in the position of competing against one another, and facing the possibility of being rejected by a … Continue reading →

Posted in Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano competitions, Seymour Bernstein, shirley smith, Shirley Smith Kirsten, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Van Cliburn piano competition | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Piano “Competitions”–Do we need them?

Posted on May 31, 2013 by

The word “competition” in the realm of music-making doesn’t work for me. Those who serve the poetry of music and view technique, not as athletically driven, but as a means to a higher artistic end can be offended by glitzy, … Continue reading →

Posted in classissima.com, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano, piano competitions, Teh 14th International Van Cliburn Piano Competition, Van Cliburn, word press | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Another musical treasure by Samuel Maykapar

Posted on May 24, 2013 by

(The above manuscript is sourced from Rada Bukhman’s Discovering Color Behind the Keys: The Essence of the Russian School of Piano Playing) “Waltz” is a charming composition worth every bit of baby-step practicing. While it looks easy on the surface, … Continue reading →

Posted in word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment