http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyY3XSl5Wuc Starting a very young child on a musical journey is joyful, exciting and challenging. The first baby steps taken at the piano will be memorable for both teacher and student, so careful thought and preparation are needed. At the very outset, I believe in nurturing an awareness of the singing tone and how it… Continue reading The Joy of Teaching Piano to Young Children (Videos)
Category: MTAC
Do’s and Don’ts for Piano Buyers and Sellers (Dream Piano’s last Chapter)
DO’s for Buyers If possible take along a Registered Piano Technician and performing pianist with a good pair of ears to evaluate a used or new piano on the market. You can find a list of RPT members at your Piano Technicians’ Guild online site, or look in the business or Yellow Pages for the… Continue reading Do’s and Don’ts for Piano Buyers and Sellers (Dream Piano’s last Chapter)
Piano Instruction: Mozart Rondo: Allegretto, 3rd mvt. Sonata in C, K. 545
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6oSo-WC9OM http://youtu.be/Meb-yhioUIo In this instructional video I analyze the form and musical content of Mozart's Sonata in C Major, K. 545, Rondo: Allegretto, Third movement. (I play behind tempo to make the commentary and musical phrases more understandable) The Rondo, more often than not, is the form used in the last movement of a Classical… Continue reading Piano Instruction: Mozart Rondo: Allegretto, 3rd mvt. Sonata in C, K. 545
Recording on a SLEEPER Dream Piano
On a whim, I had decided to make an hour long trip to Visalia about 50 miles south of Fresno to sniff out the stock over at the “Piano Gallery.” (This was before it went out of business) A medium size establishment in an upscale shopping mall, it was owned by “Ginnadiy Merkerin,” a Russian… Continue reading Recording on a SLEEPER Dream Piano
Piano Instruction: Five finger warm-ups in Major and minor (Video)
Most piano students can begin playing five finger major and minor positions between the 6th and 9th month of lessons, if not sooner. Young children learning the basic symbols of notation and rhythm may need a longer period before embarking upon these exercises, although in Faber's "Piano's Adventures," Primer level, a five finger warm-up appears… Continue reading Piano Instruction: Five finger warm-ups in Major and minor (Video)
A Battle of two Steinways, a Yamaha, and a spoiler Petrof
A few years ago, I journeyed to the local Fresno piano dealership to make retail price comparisons with used pianos sold in the private party marketplace. The store, located on Ashlan and Fresno Street had an impressive array of Steinways, Boston and Essex pianos, as well as Yamaha studio upright models and other brands. An early… Continue reading A Battle of two Steinways, a Yamaha, and a spoiler Petrof
Piano Lesson: An advanced adult Student plays Chopin Etude Op. 25, No. 9
We are practicing behind tempo because the student began studying this Chopin Etude Op. 25 No. 9 about two months ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzcBrwi6foY "Joy" took piano lessons as a child and young adult, and then had a period without instruction. She started studying with me almost three years ago, and in that time we have explored… Continue reading Piano Lesson: An advanced adult Student plays Chopin Etude Op. 25, No. 9
Piano Instruction: Part one, Harmonic Rhythm and Phrasing, Mozart Sonata in C, K. 545, Shirley Kirsten, Piano
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u00VjBtn-t0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8cBg_qKSeU (Part 2) The attached video contains the first part of a tutorial on the subject of Harmonic Rhythm and Phrasing as applies to Mozart's popular "drawing room" sonata in C, K. 545. (First Theme) I will be uploading part two which will continue analysis through completion of the Exposition. (first and second theme… Continue reading Piano Instruction: Part one, Harmonic Rhythm and Phrasing, Mozart Sonata in C, K. 545, Shirley Kirsten, Piano
From Chords to Gym and Back: You Tube Video
This video tells all. It was one of my hair brained ideas to embed a trip to Bally's Gym in my piano tutorial on the subject of playing blocks of robust chords using upper body weight transfer -- energy streaming down the arms, through supple wrists into the fingers. Naturally, warming up on the Gravitron… Continue reading From Chords to Gym and Back: You Tube Video
Scales and Arpeggios with videotaped replay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji_7tJyJ9JQ I often think of piano technique as in the same league as sports. Why not? I practically grew up in the bleachers at Ebbets Field watching the Brooklyn Bums battle their adversaries. And not to forget that I was a tomboy who copied everything my big brother did. I even tried to break the… Continue reading Scales and Arpeggios with videotaped replay
