Tag Archives: youtube.com

What pianists can learn from opera singers

As pianists, we’re allied to opera singers and their creative process in more ways than we think. Continue reading

Posted in classissima, classissima.com, coloratura Joyce Di Donato, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, Joyce Di Donato, Joyce DiDonato, Metropolitan Opera, Murray Perahia, opera, opera singers, piano, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Interpreting piano music: Should we truly realize the composer’s intent?

Matters of interpretation came up at the “Y” Gym yesterday when I bumped into the pianist from a North Berkeley house of worship. Aline is a fine musician who intersperses the service with great masterworks. Recently she played Grieg’s “Wedding … Continue reading

Posted in Bela Bartok, Bela Bartok, bela bartok, Edvard Grieg, Edvard Grieg plays "Butterfly" from his Lyric Pieces, George Gershwin, Grieg Lyric Pieces, Irina Morozova pianist, Sviatoslav Richter, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Learning a J.S Bach Sinfonia from the ground up (F Major, BWV 794)

On to three voice counterpoint, following a two-dimensional Bach Invention journey in the company of several piano students. So why not open the door to my private practice room for a layered learning sample a trois. I’m no different than … Continue reading

Posted in Baroque music, J.S. Bach, J.S. Bach Sinfonia in F Major BWV 794, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Tribute to traveling piano teachers

I’m lucky that for decades I’ve been a stationary piano teacher, home-based for Skype, but having two youngsters whom I teach at their house up in the El Cerrito Hills. Fortunately, I get chauffeured to and from the location so … Continue reading

Posted in piano instruction, piano teaching, you tube, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Advice for teaching piano students about dynamics and phrasing

This was the hallmark topic at a Linked-in piano forum board, with many piano teachers chiming in with great suggestions. For me, singing beside a student or nudging him/her to join in is always helpful. I focus on shaping phrases … Continue reading

Posted in classissima, classissima.com, Mozart Sonata no. 16 in C Major K. 545, piano, piano instruction, piano lessons, piano teaching, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Piano Technique: Are arpeggios “boring?” I don’t think so!

Arpeggios don’t deserve a bad rap! Continue reading

Posted in Chopin, Chopin Waltz in A minor no. 19, classissima, classissima.com, Frederic Chopin, piano addict, piano technique, practicing arpeggios, you tube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Piano Lesson: What I learned from an adult student about Bach Invention 4 in D minor (VIDEOS)

Today was an ear-opener, though I admit to having had a set of preconceived ideas about this Bach composition. (in two-part counterpoint) Just from having studied it myself, parceling out each separate voice in a step-wise, layered approach, I could … Continue reading

Posted in Bach, Bach Two Part Inventions, classissima, classissima.com, J.S. Bach, piano, piano instruction, piano lessons, teaching Bach Inventions, whole body listening, whole body music listening, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Haydn Piano Sonata in C, UNPINNED, and matters of Memorization

Pianists are expected to perform on stage without music. It’s a controversial area worth probing. Continue reading

Posted in "Tales of a Musical Journey" by Irina Gorin, classissima, classissima.com, Elaine Comparone, Harpsichord.org, how to improve memorization at the piano, Irina Gorin, piano, piano addict.com, Seymour Bernstein, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Piano Technique: Sports analogies weave in and out of Five-Finger positions (Videos)

Piano warm-ups are filled with vibrant, athletic energy! Continue reading

Posted in classissima, classissima.com, five-finger warm-ups at the piano, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano instruction, piano technique, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mozart is a Challenge in any shape, size or form

Tips on learning a Mozart gem! Continue reading

Posted in classissima, classissima.com, Mozart Minuet K. 5, piano, piano addict, Piano instruction Mozart Minuet in FK. 2, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, word press, you tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment