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Updated instruction and performance. Application of flexible wrist; dualism of triplets and 16ths

Arioso7's Blog (Shirley Kirsten)

I stumbled upon this musical gem when I purchased Mozart, 14 of his Easiest Pieces (Alfred, publisher) Not at all deceived by the description “easiest,” I read through the collection knowing the challenge of interpreting the master’s music with expression and refinement. It should be noted that this Minuet was composed by Mozart at the age of 5 or 6, under the guidance of his father, Leopold.

The works of Mozart whether dating from his early or later years require a singing tone, adherence to various articulations relative to the Classical style of the time.

The F Major Minuet showcased in the video has a particular vitality when it journeys from the opening triplet figure to a string of after beat 16th notes (grouped in 3s) The execution of these repeated figures requires a forward moving, supple wrist as I demonstrated in the tutorial.

What stands out in this composition…

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One of my adult students echoed a belief that has resonated for generations in piano studios across the country, if not the world. The OLD school of thought was that you played piano with a rigid, arched hand, and if you slipped into a longer, relaxed curve, or dared to DIP your wrist below the… Continue reading Piano Technique: The dipping wrist, and how it defies convention (Videos)

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Composed when Mozart was just 5, this charming Minuet and Trio has a variety of rhythms and melodic shapes which pose a challenge to the player. The singing tone reigns in any rendering, and the shift of mood embedded in echo phrases as well as a transition to a Forte Trio require varying degrees of… Continue reading Piano Instruction: Mozart Minuet and Trio in G, K. 1 (Videos)

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Piano Lesson in progress: Beethoven “Tempest” Sonata, Op. 31, No. 2 (shaping the opening phrases) Video

An adult student practiced the transition from the opening Largo broken chord, to grouping double 8th-notes in the Allegro, by blocking them, then unraveling the duple figures. The Adagio that followed required phrasing with an ear toward shaping the line in a different temporal universe before a spill of note-pairs in a tension-building crescendo. Video:… Continue reading Piano Lesson in progress: Beethoven “Tempest” Sonata, Op. 31, No. 2 (shaping the opening phrases) Video

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Rina may not know the words "pentascales" and "tenths," but she has the intelligence to notice when her fingers move up and down together, playing the same notes an "octave" apart. With a sound knowledge of the music alphabet in both directions, she has good cognitive reinforcement. (She also knows "running notes" or 8ths, "long… Continue reading Growing piano technique in baby steps: Rina, 5, advances to hands together five-finger positions (adding in 10ths)

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In a compelling personal interview, Georgle Li waxed poetic about Russell Sherman's artistry: "I really admire and love his playing. It’s so colorful, yet so unique that it’s totally inspiring. There is so much character, so much drama, and he does things totally unexpected that it takes your breath away." George whet my appetite to… Continue reading George Li’s pianistic idol: Russell Sherman

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http://youtu.be/JJ0fERiMXr4 George Li's offical website illuminates his musical accomplishments while it resonates with gratitude for a community that has supported him over the years. A page link to a "family" circle of parents, teachers, mentors, and others, sends a heartwarming message that it takes a village to raise and nurture a musician as incomparably gifted… Continue reading My Interview with George Li, a seasoned pianist at 16

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Since I'm in the swing of You Tubing, it's not a stretch to whip up post-lesson videos to send to students for mid-week reinforcement. In this instance, one of my new SKYPE pupils will benefit from a video that carefully explores the singing tone, as well as arm, wrist, hand choreography, since these are fundamental… Continue reading The value of sending video supplements to students between piano lessons

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