Sequences and Phrase contouring in J. S. Bach’s French Suite No. 5, BWV 816

An adult student and I explored sequences in the Allemande opener of Bach's French Suite in G as we parceled out the treble and bass lines. (Still another voice that danced from the alto to tenor range, was separately identified and practiced) To craft beautiful phrases in the opening movement that limpidly flows in legato,…

Shaping a J.S. Bach Two-Part Invention

Many students play J.S. Bach's music with a typed out, articulated approach, forgetting to shape and contour phrases. In Bach's F Major Invention, BWV 779, the tendency is to overemphasize every element of broken chord F, A, C, F, in a perfunctory detachment, when musically the line tells us otherwise. Because the very first note…

Piano Lessons: An adult beginner is progressing nicely!

Peter, originally from Sweden and in the technology field, is a poster child (substitute in adult) for slow and steady, layered practicing. In just three or so months, he's developed a singing tone along with a cohesive pulse. (Thank goodness we're out of the stultifying method books, having moved on to appealing repertoire) NOTE: At…

The funniest adult piano student confessions

1) I couldn't get to the piano this week because of my constipated cat. 2) I can't play the Bb scale because it gets all "gummed up." (????) 3) The cleaning lady was vacuuming the piano, inside and out. 4) We were away on a whale-watching expedition in Baja. 5) We changed the clocks so…

Piano Technique: Staying CONNECTED while playing staccato

I've picked the B Major Scale with 5 sharps distributed through double and triple black note sequence, to demonstrate wrist, forearm, and finger staccato. In these forays through detached notes, I emphasize how to stay "in touch" and not lose a basic connection to threads of notes. Many ingredients contribute to the creation of a…

A Romp through F# Major scales and arpeggios

F# Major, from a certain perspective, happens to be one of the easier scales to play because it falls into patterns of triple black and double black keys with thumbs meeting in between. In fact, both hands have mirror fingers on the black notes. That's why piano teachers will often introduce the F# Major scale…

The funnies of finding the right piano student

Ever heard of takelessons.com or related web links that hook up teachers and students? It's like Match.com when it comes to a mountain of challenges. Here's an On SITE sample where a music teacher BIDS for a job, like a construction worker. (Teacher Quotes are purchased as Credits) The student SPECS A Request From South…

Piano Technique: Picking up Arpeggio Speed with blocked and unblocked note groupings

I uploaded two videos today that focus on practicing strategies for playing brisk paced arpeggio (G Major). The first is an after hours tutorial that I recorded by FACETIME SCREEN RECORD. The screen, framed by Millennium technology art nouveau, features my Arius YDP 141 digital piano as its centerpiece. The second video sample is a…

Simone Dinnerstein at Dewing Recital Hall: A Crusade for a better piano

https://arioso7.wordpress.com/2014/02/01/simone-dinnerstein-at-dewing-recital-hall-a-crusade-for-a-better-piano/ Simone Dinnerstein, Pianist Friday, Jan.31, 2014 DEWING RECITAL HALL Mills College Oakland, California *** It's sad that what's most memorable about a concert is a piano not performing satisfactorily for a gifted, invited performer. Simone Dinnerstein, known for her self-funded Goldberg Variations CD that catapulted her into the media spotlight, leading to IMG Artists…

Celebrating Mozart’s Birthday with his music

http://youtu.be/e8wwbLyguDg   ***