These are two supplementary videos that I created for adult students between lessons. As previously mentioned, they clarify and reinforce the content of our class, and map out ways to practice. I. ROTATION at the turnaround of a B minor Arpeggio Exploring the curve at the very top of the figure with an energy boost… Continue reading Piano Technique: Focusing on Rotation in arpeggios, and building up a scale (Videos)
Tag: arpeggios
Piano Technique: Practicing the C# minor Arpeggio in a myriad of ways (Video)
You can imagine any number of approaches to an arpeggio that will nudge it along to fluidity. One, is thinking that the elbows, arms, and wrists are playing the fingers. In a sense the fingers are the end of a total arm suspension. Relaxation is the key word. The C# minor arpeggio is thankfully symmetrical… Continue reading Piano Technique: Practicing the C# minor Arpeggio in a myriad of ways (Video)
Piano Technique: Practicing an E Major Arpeggio during a lesson-in-progress (Video with tips on creating a rolling contour)
This piano student will gain a lot by reviewing footage taken at her lesson. It provides a practicing framework that zeroes in on the physical/musical aspects of creating a contoured arpeggio. Here's video where I'm teaching Sakura, 13, who's studied piano with me for 3 years. We worked on rolling, relaxed arms, supple wrists, and… Continue reading Piano Technique: Practicing an E Major Arpeggio during a lesson-in-progress (Video with tips on creating a rolling contour)
Piano Technique: Two nifty warm-up routines, one loopy, the other for zig-zaggers
Claudia, 11, and I do a 20-minute warm-up before she tackles repertoire at her weekly lesson. Today I snatched two routines that might help others with the time-honored, upper arm roll, supple wrist, and elbow swing. Just my bias showing about technique and what I favor in its development. I've presented this one before, but… Continue reading Piano Technique: Two nifty warm-up routines, one loopy, the other for zig-zaggers
Piano Technique: Enlisting arpeggios to create mood shifts (Video)
A piano teacher can use the technique portion of a lesson to explore emotions or moods. The student can be instructed to play an arpeggio or scale in a tender way, or with "anger," "happiness," etc. I prefer this type of technique-framed mood exploration to an enlistment of Baroque, Classic or Romantic era repertoire for… Continue reading Piano Technique: Enlisting arpeggios to create mood shifts (Video)
Piano Technique: Nifty warm-up routines (Videos)
Phase one of lessons is a lively romp over the 88s. It sets the geography of the piano through a host of keys. Establishing a "feel" for the instrument with a supportive knowledge of key signatures, framed in buoyant rhythm, kicks things off. Here are few examples from Claudia's lesson. At age 11, she's advanced… Continue reading Piano Technique: Nifty warm-up routines (Videos)
Piano Lesson: Shaping scales and arpeggios with syllables and tempo prompts (Video)
In this video segment, a 10-year old student warmed up with 3 forms of the D minor scale played in contrary motion in 16ths followed by 32nds. Syllable prompts helped shape these and kept them rhythmically framed. (Tempo variations were enlisted to smooth out playings) With arpeggios, we usually chunk "tunnels" through which the thumb… Continue reading Piano Lesson: Shaping scales and arpeggios with syllables and tempo prompts (Video)
Adult piano students say and do the darndest things.
I remember Art Linkletter's show, "Kids Say the Darndest Things," which made me think of a few adult piano students and their hauntingly memorable words. Yesterday, for example, I was forewarned by a 70-year old pupil, that I should expect a call from her during the night about the key of "F# minor." What impending… Continue reading Adult piano students say and do the darndest things.
Why Play Scales?
Scale practicing examples: https://youtu.be/SJGbnFQB8L8 https://youtu.be/Bo1ptHbMu9M https://youtu.be/W3N_9Me7hXQ *** The Backdrop: As a young piano student living in New York City, I remember my reluctance to prepare a mandatory scale each week for my lesson. In fact my first teacher had so many students, she always seemed to forget the scale she had assigned to me, so… Continue reading Why Play Scales?
Anne Meux, her pianos, and my visit
From the Internet site about the Meux Home that is located in downtown Fresno within walking distance of the Amtrak station: "One of the prime houses in terms of historical and architectural significance is the Meux Family home at the northwest corner of Tulare and R Streets. "The home was built in 1888 by Dr.… Continue reading Anne Meux, her pianos, and my visit
