My beloved singing nightingale that came into my life in May, 2011, has found a new, permanent nest. About 4 years ago I stumbled upon "Haddy" while browsing a Fresno, California Craig's Listing (by owner, used piano sales) It wasn't that I needed another piano to join a growing family of Steinways but I was… Continue reading “Haddy” Haddorff is given a new home: The back story
Category: Haddorff piano
Pianos, Old Age, and Cosmetic Imperfection
I wish I could order an instant make-over for gorgeous-sounding pianos that suffer rejection because of imperfect exteriors. By example, one of my students who'd grown attached to her respectable-looking, 70′s era, walnut console piano, was devastated when her family whisked it away during a move to a bigger house. Apparently, the instrument's wood grain… Continue reading Pianos, Old Age, and Cosmetic Imperfection
More and more “piano” students are going Digital. Is it a good idea?
It's sad but true that a glut of former piano buyers who would have considered piano lessons for their children at age 7 or so, have made the choice to invest in a DIGITAL. (known as a DP) Of further testimony to the culture's relatively new fixation on electronic piano technology, are the 35,000 plus… Continue reading More and more “piano” students are going Digital. Is it a good idea?
Only the singing nightingale could be true to Chopin’s music
Haddorff came through with her beautiful voice today. Her older brother, Steinway M on the far side of the room, had some communication problems while upright Steinway, the middle child of the trio, couldn't begin to rival Haddy's tone and temperament. So as it happened, One special piano sang her heart out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFT8VzE0UGc Haddy's bio:… Continue reading Only the singing nightingale could be true to Chopin’s music
Performing a piece–Getting it right (all the notes) OR really getting it right (the phrasing and nuance) VIDEOS
For many pianos students, playing 100% perfect notes, with no clunkers is goal in itself. They breathe a sigh of relief looking back on a video of a recital, where they managed to "get it right," counting correct notes from beginning to end. One even managed to play note perfect while intermittently eyeing her family… Continue reading Performing a piece–Getting it right (all the notes) OR really getting it right (the phrasing and nuance) VIDEOS
Tutorial: Shared ideas about practicing J.S. Bach Invention 13 in A minor (BWV 784) Videos
As I observed an 11-year old student work on this Invention at lessons, I came up with some ideas to improve the performance landscape. These included an awareness of the dualism of rolling arpeggiated 16ths and detached 8th notes in the opening. More often than not, the arpeggios can sound too flat if the whole… Continue reading Tutorial: Shared ideas about practicing J.S. Bach Invention 13 in A minor (BWV 784) Videos
The Cult of Haddy Haddorff, her dual personality, and lovesick owners
"Haddy" Serious, but exalted in Bach.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkH5p4E2lTE Affording a dreamscape of beauty in Debussy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv1WpPXSQx8 These are her remarkable polarities. Depending on the weather, and internal environment, she can either raise you up, or let you down. But even with her intermittent note-lazy landscape, she will always sing heart songs. I happen to be in… Continue reading The Cult of Haddy Haddorff, her dual personality, and lovesick owners
Debussy Arabesque No. 1 and the back story (Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv1WpPXSQx8 Speaking of pianos, and decisions about which to use, I decided to give Haddy Haddorff another opportunity to sing like a nightingale. This was a late-into-the-night sound exploration following an earlier trip to the Mac Store at Fresno's Fashion Fair Mall. The Yeti mic was not registering--no sound--no explanation, though it was properly connected.… Continue reading Debussy Arabesque No. 1 and the back story (Video)
Picking the right piano to record a selection (Videos)–“Fur Elise” by Beethoven
I've heard stories about great pianists such as Richter obsessing over a choice of piano for a concert. Allegedly, he was very fussy, and sometimes regretted the one he picked out for a recital. But when he found himself playing in Siberia and rural parts of the Russian landscape, he rose to the occasion, and… Continue reading Picking the right piano to record a selection (Videos)–“Fur Elise” by Beethoven
Playing the Schubert Impromptu in Eb, Op. 90 on a very bright, resonant piano with a history to it (Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtIGzTiw7Y8 By contrast on my Steinway Grand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHFOPFzUxUw I almost dared myself to play this gorgeous composition on my Haddorff console with its imperfect regulation and "temperament." (tuning) It's one of those rare instruments that has the ring of the Romantic era, as if it was a period instrument. Pat Frederick, of the Frederick collection,… Continue reading Playing the Schubert Impromptu in Eb, Op. 90 on a very bright, resonant piano with a history to it (Video)