Category: pianist

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Bias against Black Notes stopped me in my tracks!

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I would have been leg pressing at the gym but for my detour to Nancy Williams's Facebook Page. Here's what I found: "Those bloody sharps and flats--those endless calamities of the personal past. Bah! I disown them from the rest of my life, in which I mean to rest." From "Grass" by Mary Oliver. My… Continue reading Bias against Black Notes stopped me in my tracks!

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When sight-reading is not enough: Learning a new piano piece from the ground up so we can teach it to our students (Videos)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I'm reminded of a quote attributed to Sviatoslav Richter when asked how he approached a challenging new composition of virtuoso proportion: His reply-- "I read a new piece and then start practicing the place that irritates me the most. After learning that one I move to the next irritation, etc." Well, most of us would… Continue reading When sight-reading is not enough: Learning a new piano piece from the ground up so we can teach it to our students (Videos)

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The very first lesson with a new Intermediate or advanced piano student: thinking creatively on your feet

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet a new adult piano student who had studied for a few years. Besides having this basic, preliminary information, I had no other tangible clues about her level of playing. The suspense of not knowing what music she would bring was lifted when two contrasting era works… Continue reading The very first lesson with a new Intermediate or advanced piano student: thinking creatively on your feet

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Piano Technique: Exploring contrasting emotions when practicing a piece (as Daniil Trifonov, pianist, recommended in his videotaped interview)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I put into "practice" one of Trifonov's recommendations, as I mentored a second year piano student this evening. We started the lesson by playing "happy" and then "angry" consecutive staccato thirds. ("Hopping" from Dozen a Day) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaGlz5pKDZI Eventually after completing our scale and other technical routines, we applied the emotion shifts to the opening of… Continue reading Piano Technique: Exploring contrasting emotions when practicing a piece (as Daniil Trifonov, pianist, recommended in his videotaped interview)

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Bonus post-concert Video Footage: Daniil Trifonov Interview, Fresno, California

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

In supplementary video footage, Trifonov discussed the role of "relaxation," and physical "freedom" in beautiful music-making. He reiterated a practicing modality where a pianist plays a composition in "seven different emotions." One of my adult students and her husband joined me during the post-recital interview that took place in the private Fresno State University music… Continue reading Bonus post-concert Video Footage: Daniil Trifonov Interview, Fresno, California

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More Tips on practicing Beethoven’s Fur Elise using a rolling motion, weight transfer, undulating wrist, and relaxed arm swing (Video)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Today's lesson with an adult student produced a helpful video that focused on the second section, page 1--but was devoted in large part, to examining measures 9-15 in the following ways: 1) for the execution of a rolling motion across four notes with a slight crescendo through B-C-D to E (B C and D form… Continue reading More Tips on practicing Beethoven’s Fur Elise using a rolling motion, weight transfer, undulating wrist, and relaxed arm swing (Video)

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A Music Packed Saturday and Sunday! (Video) and NEW PHOTOS!

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

The MTAC Baroque Festival and Daniil Trifonov's recital at Fresno State cap this weekend's events, giving our city a warm cultural embrace amidst its Bulldog-driven sports fever! First on the line-up, Claudia, 11, will play the Yamaha concert grand piano at the University's recital hall today.(The Steinway is sequestered) She'll offer two Bach selections: Invention… Continue reading A Music Packed Saturday and Sunday! (Video) and NEW PHOTOS!

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After midnight MOONLIGHT Sonata–why not another try, first movement (BEETHOVEN–video)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I had nothing better to do at 1 a.m. and Aiden cat had settled down on the rug beside the piano. This time he had no energy reserves to leap to the window sill and make a racket. (Notice how Beethoven's strains sedated him, except for a transitory cat tag jiggle. But how rude for… Continue reading After midnight MOONLIGHT Sonata–why not another try, first movement (BEETHOVEN–video)

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Fritz, 8, Baptizes my “new” Baldwin Hamilton Grand in El Cerrito, CA (Duet playing video)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

My El Cerrito students received a musical morale boost from Hammy's surprise appearance in their learning sanctuary. I guess we'll call the latest piano, "Hammy," while Haddorff in Fresno remains "Haddy" Someday, who knows, the two may pair up in Bay area cultural harmony. HADDY/HAMMY In the meantime, here's Fritz, an 8-year old, second year… Continue reading Fritz, 8, Baptizes my “new” Baldwin Hamilton Grand in El Cerrito, CA (Duet playing video)

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Just in time for Valentine’s Day: I meet my Blind Date Grand Piano in El Cerrito! (6 part video) and Coda

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

After a scenic Amtrak ride home from my Bay area teaching location, I won't dare divulge the final chapter of a suspense-filled adventure that culminated in my meeting a blind date grand piano up close and personal. I'll let the video in 6 parts plus CODA, tell the story. The backdrop surrounding my phone interview… Continue reading Just in time for Valentine’s Day: I meet my Blind Date Grand Piano in El Cerrito! (6 part video) and Coda