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Piano Technique: “Butterfly” by Grieg, a revisit (playing and exploring the rolling, rotational motion) videos

I can see the butterfly in my mind's eye in its flight of fancy. But I wish it were as easy to play, as to imagine. Relaxation is the key word here, but not to the point that the 16th-notes become like glissandi--a faint gloss over the keys. First in slow practice tempo you would… Continue reading Piano Technique: “Butterfly” by Grieg, a revisit (playing and exploring the rolling, rotational motion) videos

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What’s happened to music in churches, temples and other religious sanctuaries? (2013 update)

On a rainy Sunday morning I was surfing You Tube in search of a spiritually poignant musical offering. One particular posting had been so inspiring that my index finger ached from so many mouse-clicked replays. It was ? "Verum"--The one word lingered in my foggy memory, amply retrieved to reap a reward. Out popped Mozart's… Continue reading What’s happened to music in churches, temples and other religious sanctuaries? (2013 update)

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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

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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)

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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)

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A new member of the piano family has arrived: “Haddy,” 1951 is home! (Video)

Yesterday was a sight to behold. My Haddorff, 1951, a stunning new acquisition, with an old world timbre (though it still needs a thorough maiden tuning in its new abode), was wheeled on a dolly, wrapped in blankets through the streets of Northwest Fresno. Traffic yielded, and two drivers jumped out with cameras. Two business… Continue reading A new member of the piano family has arrived: “Haddy,” 1951 is home! (Video)

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Piano Practicing: Re-doing and Refining

Studying piano, playing through the great piano literature, requires revisiting, re-doing and refining our work. This undertaking should not carry a value judgment that what preceded was poor or inadequate. Those adjectives do not belong to the process of learning. After all, we do not fault babies for crawling before walking because we realize it's… Continue reading Piano Practicing: Re-doing and Refining

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Piano Technique and Weight Control: Bringing out and balancing voices (Video) Teacher, Shirley Kirsten

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCck4ZFNeQI When students do routine scales and arpeggios as warm-ups to their tour de force pieces, I like to spice things up a bit by playing around with voicing and weight control. (Yes, you heard me right) I'll surprise them by asking for the Left hand notes to be fleshed out, while the Right ones… Continue reading Piano Technique and Weight Control: Bringing out and balancing voices (Video) Teacher, Shirley Kirsten

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Piano instruction: Beethoven’s Sonata “Pathetique,” Adagio mvt.–applying voice analysis and muscle memory to the opening ( 4 Videos)

The Adagio movement of Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata requires attentive listening, deep in the key practicing, muscle memory, and a natural breath that flows out of phrases. I start with the top most voice and work my way through to the alto and bass. (practicing individual lines) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4qME1l6Oqo Blocking is applied to the alto and should… Continue reading Piano instruction: Beethoven’s Sonata “Pathetique,” Adagio mvt.–applying voice analysis and muscle memory to the opening ( 4 Videos)

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Piano Technique: Muscular memory, self-analysis, and mental imagery (VIDEO)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0zKCwbnqaI Muscular memory and self-analytical practicing go hand in hand. When you feel like you're zinging in, playing a passage or phrase like you would imagine hearing a fine pianist render it, then it's your prime time to recapture the moment and keep it safely stored in your memory box. Ask yourself, how did I… Continue reading Piano Technique: Muscular memory, self-analysis, and mental imagery (VIDEO)