Category: pianist

Debussy, Debussy Arabesque no. 1, pianist, piano, piano instruction, piano instructor, piano lesson, piano lessons, piano practicing, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Kirsten blog, Shirley Smith Kirsten, slow mindful practicing, slow piano practicing, Teach Street, whole body listening, whole body music listening, word press, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video

Practicing triplets against eighth notes in Debussy’s Arabesque no. 1 (Video)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Since a few of my students are studying this composition, I decided to make a video addressing the triplets against eighths dualism. In Debussy's Arabesque No.1 there are measures where triplets in the treble are juxtaposed with eighths in the bass, and in reverse. When practicing the composition, I first disassociate the part each hand… Continue reading Practicing triplets against eighth notes in Debussy’s Arabesque no. 1 (Video)

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Sight-reading through two pieces: Putting myself in the hot seat! (Videos)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I vowed at some point to do a hands-on follow up to my sight-reading post, and tonight was my chosen time to brave the virgin territory of two compositions from "Anna Magdalena's Notebook," edited by Keith Snell. I randomly picked "Polonaise in G minor" BWV 119 (Anonymous) and another of the same form, BWV125 by… Continue reading Sight-reading through two pieces: Putting myself in the hot seat! (Videos)

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Stimulating the imagination: choosing piano repertoire that embraces childhood themes (Video)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I was awakened this morning to an inspired Facebook post that featured a six-year old captivated by a delightful piece that amounted to a "playground" of light-hearted chords with engaging harmonies. The piano teacher, Irina Gorin played snippets of Samuel Maykapar's "In the Garden" that seemed to share character kinship with Kabalevksy's Op. 39, Children's… Continue reading Stimulating the imagination: choosing piano repertoire that embraces childhood themes (Video)

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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

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The nitty gritty reasons why piano students drop out: Two staunchly different opinions

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

The current rage on the Internet surrounds a Facebook posting that claims a 95% dropout rate among piano students. The nitty gritty reasons cited by the poster are contained in what I view as a tirade against what he terms "standard lessons." He insists that the "music teaching industry" uses a "status quo method that… Continue reading The nitty gritty reasons why piano students drop out: Two staunchly different opinions

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Piano Instruction: singing a melody to help shape it and then translate into physical motion (VIDEO)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

In this videotaped example I explore the opening phrases of "Mazurka" by Maria Syzmanowska. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u13hfRsE_2U RELATED: https://arioso7.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/piano-study-and-the-value-of-singing-against-a-cultural-backdrop-of-vocal-inhibition/

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My New Piano Studio in El Cerrito, California, and panoramic views taken from Amtrak 711 and 712 along the Bay route

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

*** After my arrival in El Cerrito, I walked to my new location in a very old, established neighborhood with mature shade trees and lush foliage. It had to be the perfect paradise for teaching piano. *** Photos down below were taken at the Bart station looking down from the platform, and then along the… Continue reading My New Piano Studio in El Cerrito, California, and panoramic views taken from Amtrak 711 and 712 along the Bay route

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Piano Study and the value of SINGING against a cultural backdrop of vocal inhibition

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Singing has always been a basic, if not primitive form of communication between parent and infant. A tender melody often lulls a colicky baby into blissful sleep along with rhythmic rocking motions. As the tyke eventually babbles and coos high-pitched sounds that prime his vocal cords, mom or dad will respond in the same squeaky voice… Continue reading Piano Study and the value of SINGING against a cultural backdrop of vocal inhibition

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Relaxation in piano playing and setting a good example for students (Videos)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

By all accounts, the piano instructor should be the model of what she embraces as her teaching philosophy at lessons. For example, as I slip into my weeping willow tension-free state, I keep hammering away at my students to relax. But sometimes they're just too wired from pressures at work or at home to unwind… Continue reading Relaxation in piano playing and setting a good example for students (Videos)

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Rina, age 4, has her second piano lesson using “Tales of a Musical Journey” (videos in 6 parts)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I'm videotaping all of Rina's lessons as I travel with her through the "Magical Kingdom of Sounds" from Irina Gorin's Tales of a Musical Journey. Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0WNfp5QIDU Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYkLIYsMQcY Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph7zWYNqNkk Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK1EuaqWAVs Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfXHUEhnEsc Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqDSmdRgFx4 RELATED: Rina's first piano lesson https://arioso7.wordpress.com/2011/08/04/piano-lessons-starting-rina-a-4-year-old-using-irina-gorins-tales-of-a-musical-journey-book-1-videos-in-parts/ Rina's THIRD Piano Lesson: https://arioso7.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/rina-age-4-has-her-third-piano-lesson-using-irina-gorins-tales-of-a-musical-journey-videos-in-6-parts/