I begin by playing the Sonatina, first movement and then I map out the composition to advance thoughtful learning and memorization. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNuMbp_q9X0 RELATED: https://arioso7.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/memorization-at-the-piano-how-to-improve-your-skills/
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Memorization at the piano: How to improve your skills
Memorization should be a natural outflow of consistent, thoughtful practicing. Thoughtful is underscored because it's the most important ingredient in the process of playing a studied piece without music. It means having mental assists that relate to mapping out a particular composition without chance reliance on intuition or instinct. So if you suddenly find yourself… Continue reading Memorization at the piano: How to improve your skills
Piano Instruction: Avoiding a Crash and Burn in Fast Tempo (Video)
One of my adult students asked about how to stay in control when playing fast passages on the piano. She had found herself stumbling in brisk tempos, getting anxious, over-crowding the notes, and finally becoming so tangled up that she had to stop. The music essentially came to a grinding halt. My advice to her,… Continue reading Piano Instruction: Avoiding a Crash and Burn in Fast Tempo (Video)
My own slow practicing, Presto Agitato, Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata (VIDEO)
This was an opportunity to sift through the first part of the last movement in slow motion following the collaboration with my adult student yesterday. My below tempo practicing, was a baby step progression to a more bravado reading. (when ripening takes effect) This particular practice routine fleshed out various harmonic landmarks, chordal blocks, and… Continue reading My own slow practicing, Presto Agitato, Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata (VIDEO)
Piano Lesson: An Adult student practices the Presto agitato mvt. Beethoven “Moonlight” Sonata (Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxmwAUIu3eY The Chromatic scale to the end of movement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtquw8qNbXg R.K. wished to remain anonymous because of the nature of his work, but, nevertheless, he's a devoted student of the piano. I met him at the American Cancer Discovery Shop, on Bullard and West in Fresno about 5 years ago when I was a regular… Continue reading Piano Lesson: An Adult student practices the Presto agitato mvt. Beethoven “Moonlight” Sonata (Video)
Composing activity during a piano lesson: Claudia, age 8, surprises me with her new creation (Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTcRB02EVHU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF5sg3LsTe0 Eight-year old Claudia surprised me today when she brought a melody she had composed. Her new book, Faber Adventures, Lesson Book One inspired her to create a piece beginning with notes on the first four lines of the treble staff. Together, we explored the first phrase of her music, worked on fingering, rhythm… Continue reading Composing activity during a piano lesson: Claudia, age 8, surprises me with her new creation (Video)
Piano Instruction: Phrasing and singing–A 10 year old beginner plays “Russian Sailor Dance,” Faber Bk. 1 (Video)
Singing is the best model for phrasing. In the learning environment, the student and teacher are on an interactive vocal wavelength experiencing the contour and shape of a musical line. Using syllables of various kinds that reflect the inner density and motion of the music is intrinsic to the activity. The video attached gives an… Continue reading Piano Instruction: Phrasing and singing–A 10 year old beginner plays “Russian Sailor Dance,” Faber Bk. 1 (Video)
Piano Lesson: W.A. Mozart Rondo Alla Turca: Allegretto from Sonata, K.331 (Videos)
In my instructional video, I discuss how Mozart's light-hearted Rondo is formed and ways to practice it. (The Rondo has a redundant "A" section, interspersed with contrasting B, C, D, etc. musical material) There's a dualism of "A" minor/"A" Major in this concluding movement, not to mention a very moving "D" section interlude in F#… Continue reading Piano Lesson: W.A. Mozart Rondo Alla Turca: Allegretto from Sonata, K.331 (Videos)
A Lovely Piano at the American Cancer Society Discovery Thrift Store in Fresno, CA-Video produced on site
A few years ago, I met Connell York, 84 year old piano tuner at the American Cancer Society Discovery Store on Bullard and West in Fresno, California where pianos are sometimes donated for sale. At the time he was examining the gorgeous 1875 or so, Fritz piano, checking its strings and tuning pins, explaining the… Continue reading A Lovely Piano at the American Cancer Society Discovery Thrift Store in Fresno, CA-Video produced on site
My Haddorff piano plays Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata, First Movement: Adagio Sostenuto (Video)
A piano with Old World character and honey dipped resonance. Pat Frederick of the Frederick Collection of Keyboard instruments, agreed that my Haddorff has something very special, and she proceeded to share the news of her latest additions: a 1902 Chickering, and Pleyel. These pianos, among other treasures, are living, breathing instruments that are played… Continue reading My Haddorff piano plays Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata, First Movement: Adagio Sostenuto (Video)
