Category: pianist

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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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My weekly breather in El Cerrito: Teaching munchkins in the East Bay (Piano lessons in progress–Videos)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I always look forward to my weekly getaway to El Cerrito because I can take wholesome deep breaths without choking on toxic Central Valley air. Besides, I also get to teach a few delightful munchkins and adults. While the visit is all too short, I still relish my walks amidst the foliage as I ascend… Continue reading My weekly breather in El Cerrito: Teaching munchkins in the East Bay (Piano lessons in progress–Videos)

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An Adult “Piano Student of the Week” lands the Gold!

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Today, I launched the piano Olympics.. well not really. No one in this studio of hard-working adults and children is competing for a medal, but just the same, I have shimmering GOLD stickers that are individually awarded to deserving students. Today, Marie earned her sparkling medallion and proudly displayed it after some prodding. In addition… Continue reading An Adult “Piano Student of the Week” lands the Gold!

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Piano Lesson: Rina, 4, learns about “Long and Short sounds meeting High and Low Sounds,” Chapter 15, Tales of a Musical Journey (Videos)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Today was Rina's 14th piano lesson and she's moving right along. Her hand position is greatly improved and she has a nice appreciation of the singing tone. Irina Gorin's instruction is laid out in such a way that a student takes no short cuts in learning piano. The physical approach to creating a beautiful tone,… Continue reading Piano Lesson: Rina, 4, learns about “Long and Short sounds meeting High and Low Sounds,” Chapter 15, Tales of a Musical Journey (Videos)

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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 Technique: Braving the slippery slope of black keys, practicing the F# Major Arpeggio (VIDEO)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Why all the prejudice against black notes? I, for one, avoided them like the plague for years. And my teachers were enablers, keeping me and other students contentedly in C Major to avoid widespread unrest. Their benign neglect of the blacks, in the the end, came at great cost. We teetered on the edge when… Continue reading Piano Technique: Braving the slippery slope of black keys, practicing the F# Major Arpeggio (VIDEO)

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A Skyped Piano Lesson between Fresno, California and Sydney, Australia (VIDEO)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Here's the gig as it unfolded today, with a few sprinkled photos of my technology driven living room prior to the California/Australia Skyped transmission: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOjNWOVJy38 First segment: Building technique with scales and arpeggios

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Piano Technique: Tackling the Bb Major arpeggio in chunks! (VIDEO)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Here we go again with my athletic mantra. Especially with the World Series having drawn to a close, pianists need to look to their sports heroes for relevant guidance in building their technique from the ground up. So let's start at home plate with the root of the tricky Bb Major arpeggio. This romp across… Continue reading Piano Technique: Tackling the Bb Major arpeggio in chunks! (VIDEO)

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Trills and Domenico Scarlatti (Video)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyXvet9KrLc In a separate writing about crossed hands, large leaps, and other keyboard acrobatics, I'd discussed trills which permeate Domenico Scarlatti's music. Perhaps these precious ornaments evoked the gypsy wails in the surrounding Madrid countryside, or they were part of the performance practice of the Baroque period. I would hedge my bets that hunting horns,… Continue reading Trills and Domenico Scarlatti (Video)