Category: mind body connection

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Piano Lesson Excerpts: Practicing the Bach Invention 13 in A minor (Videos)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

This morning, Claudia, 11, practiced the J.S. Bach A minor Invention behind tempo, (in slow motion) to improve her musical/technical understanding of the composition. She worked on "weaving"/shaping the main idea or subject, which is a broken chord figure. The interaction between hands or voices (there are two them) was a particular focus, as it… Continue reading Piano Lesson Excerpts: Practicing the Bach Invention 13 in A minor (Videos)

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Jello and other mental images for pianists

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Here comes the jello again. I thought I was the only one swimming around in it until I found the good company of Irina Gorin, piano teacher and author, who served what amounted to a jello substitute at her piano lessons. She had packed away a small tub of colorful putty that she dispensed to… Continue reading Jello and other mental images for pianists

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A Little Dog Chasing its Tail: Cyprien Katsaris celebrates Chopin in this inspired Masterclass (Waltz, Op. 64 no. 1)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Cyprien Katsaris is a teacher's teacher and pianist's pianist. His prowess is on full display in a masterclass with a young girl who plays the Chopin Waltz, op. 64 no. 1. (Kudos to the Masterclass Media Foundation for adding this gem to its roster) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUqLjdy4cO4 Like Boris Berman, Katsaris has a unique talent for transforming… Continue reading A Little Dog Chasing its Tail: Cyprien Katsaris celebrates Chopin in this inspired Masterclass (Waltz, Op. 64 no. 1)

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Piano Lesson: Refining the pedaling in Chopin’s Waltz no. 19 in A minor (Op. Posthumous)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Pedaling and its refinement were under consideration following an adult student's initial reading of the Chopin Waltz. This piano lesson was transmitted by Skype to Sydney, Australia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fn1xBSuep0

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Piano Lesson: Working with Rina, age 4, on the supple wrist, singing tone approach to individual notes (Video)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Today was Rina's 11th piano lesson. To date we've identified and played the seven notes of the musical alphabet using fingers, 2, 3, and 4 of each hand in various registers. Our follow-up practice focused on how to produce a singing tone in non legato (dropping individual notes one finger at a time) without yet… Continue reading Piano Lesson: Working with Rina, age 4, on the supple wrist, singing tone approach to individual notes (Video)

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Profile of a courageous adult piano student (with a video out-take)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I'm fortunate to be working with five adult students who love the piano and its repertoire. Their enthusiasm is at high volume--keeping the live wire connection between student and teacher bristling with energy. Regardless of busy work schedules, they still manage to connect with the piano often enough to make lessons worthwhile. I met Michael,… Continue reading Profile of a courageous adult piano student (with a video out-take)

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Piano Technique: Producing a beautiful singing tone using jello as an image

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

The following teaching video produced by Irina Gorin, confirmed my belief that a singing tone springs from the imagination along with a consciousness about the physical means to achieve it. On both accounts, Gorin succeeded in the company of a six-year old piano student. The transformation of his C scale from a vertical, poked out… Continue reading Piano Technique: Producing a beautiful singing tone using jello as an image

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Rina, 4, has her 6th piano lesson: Learning about short and long sounds using black and white circles (“Tales of a Musical Journey”) 4 Videos

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Rina reached another landmark, entering the universe of long and short sounds. She drew on a collection of black and white cardboard circles that came nicely packaged with Tales of a Musical Journey, and embarked upon a hands-on rhythm framed adventure. After floating through her "Harmony of the Angels" relaxation opener, she perched herself at… Continue reading Rina, 4, has her 6th piano lesson: Learning about short and long sounds using black and white circles (“Tales of a Musical Journey”) 4 Videos

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Piano Instruction: J.S. Bach Invention no. 8 in F, BWV 779, using a spring forward wrist and hand rotation, Two Videos

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I introduced my tutorial by playing a snatch from Edna-Mae Burnam's Dozen a Day, Book 1, no. 3 "Hopping." It was the springboard for the wrist motion I use when playing Invention 8 in F Major. I also enlist a hand rotation for a stream of 16ths in descending sequence, measures 4-6, and wherever else… Continue reading Piano Instruction: J.S. Bach Invention no. 8 in F, BWV 779, using a spring forward wrist and hand rotation, Two Videos

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Rolling arm movements and videotaped slow motion replay of Chopin’s Waltz in C# minor, piu mosso section

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I demonstrate a swing or roll of the arms to realize the circular flow of the piu mosso section of Chopin's Waltz in C# minor, Op. 64, no 2. At the end, I add slow motion frames. Needless to say a state of relaxation is desirable to achieve Oneness with the piano. Mindful practicing and… Continue reading Rolling arm movements and videotaped slow motion replay of Chopin’s Waltz in C# minor, piu mosso section