Comparing performances of Mozart Sonata in C, K. 545, Movement 1, Allegro (Tempo, alone can make a big difference)

Over time, when we return to a piece that is well-learned, and in some cases has become a bit too predictable without a touch of inspiration, a revitalized, updated version might be worth a try. In this regard, I'm always re-recording time-honored pieces periodically, to refresh them. To broaden my perspective, I search You Tube…

A video supplement to a Skyped piano lesson (Instruction for Minuet in G minor from Anna Magdalena Bach’s Notebook)

Following today's Skyped lesson to Pennsylvania, I created a video to reinforce instruction pertaining to the "Minuet in G minor" from the Anna Magdalena Bach Collection. This composition is attributed to Christian Petzold. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htm1ez09Qf8 My adult student wanted to study this piece which has challenging Baroque-style phrasing and articulation. During our class time today we…

Skyping piano lessons with an iMac, Logitech cam, and Yeti mic (videos)

Here's my set-up for Skyped piano instruction. A travel itinerary minus airport delays and x-ray scanners included stop-offs in Pennsylvania, Sydney, Australia; Portland Oregon, and London, England. Lessons have been scheduled as needed. A Power Point-less presentation offers more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkxknMXWdIY *** A Skype lesson-in-progress to Sydney fleshes out a bi-screen video landscape. (two Logitechs in…

completely revised with new video instruction and play through.
https://arioso7.wordpress.com/2011/06/06/piano-instruction-part-1-w-a-mozart-rondo-alla-turca-allegretto-from-sonata-k-331-video/

Arioso7's Blog (Shirley Kirsten)

In my instructional video, I discuss how Mozart’s light-hearted Rondo is formed and ways to practice it. (The Rondo has a redundant “A” section, interspersed with contrasting B, C, D, etc. musical material)

There’s a dualism of “A” minor/”A” Major in this concluding movement, not to mention a very moving “D” section interlude in F# minor (which is the relative minor of “A” Major)

From measure 89 to the end of the piece, however, the composer resoundingly affirms “A” Major.

I find the whole movement to be innovative in this tonal dimension where the composer saturates the listener with the recurring “A” Minor Rondo (A) section, then teases with the parallel “A” Major interludes and other tonal escapades before he finally settles into “A” MAJOR. Although the opening KEY signature is A Minor, the movement transforms to “A” Major and stays there for more than a page. And if you…

View original post 76 more words

Piano Lesson: Rina, 5, learns to play legato across five fingers from C to G and back

Six months of piano lessons: Rina made a big jump today after having had considerable experience playing single, detached fingers for all notes in the music alphabet. In addition she's been rolling pairs of fingers to create a nice legato from note to note. (2-note slurs) I've prepped her with 1,2 and in reverse, 2…

A Musical Family: Andrew Li, 11, follows older brother, George to the piano

I was awestruck by a You Tube video recommended by George Li, a 16-year old pianist with an impressive performance resume. He had recommended a sample of his younger brother's playing on a Spring Sunday morning. With the family tie-in whetting my curiosity, I didn't hesitate to mouse tap to a special treat: Andrew, 11,…

Piano Technique: Reeling off parallel thirds in staccato (with a trampoline effect)

The playground as music teacher applies: My brood of students and I enjoy the romp through a set of parallel thirds within a five-finger position. In our escapade, we usually dance through the Major and parallel minor tonalities. Interplay, back and forth always helps. It allows the teacher to model physical ingredients of a buoyant…

Piano Lessons: The Joy and Value of playing duets (Fritz, 8, shines in duo)

Most primer instructional materials and those beyond the elementary level integrate duet playing opportunities which are pivotal to pianistic development. They help reinforce a buoyant pulse, and imbue sensitivity to balance between primo (treble) and secondo parts. Naturally, dynamics, nuance and phrasing influence a finessed reading between partners, so the experience becomes one of artistic…

Piano Lesson: Analyzing/playing Bach Invention in D minor, No. 4, BWV 775 in slow tempo (Videos)

In J.S. Bach's Two-part Inventions both voices overlap and imitate each other creating counterpoint. The SUBJECT of no. 4 contains a d-minor Harmonic form scale whose 6th note, B flat does NOT continue in an upward motion to the leading tone, C# or 7th note, but instead, the C# is displaced down to the lower…

Beethoven’s Fur Elise with orchestra? or without (Videos)

During the night, I stumbled upon a piano solo with orchestra arrangement of "Fur Elise" that included a set of nuanced special effects. First, the pianist, nonchalantly flowed into the first theme to a stream applause, reminding me of the time I played this same piece without embellishment in the dining hall of Fig Garden…