Tag: Chopin Waltz in A minor

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Pedaling Chopin Waltz No. 19 in A minor, Op. Posthumous

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

When considering ways to pedal Chopin's ethereal A minor Waltz, I think back to Stephen Hough and his teacher's comments about the learning process: “I don’t care how you’re playing the piece now, what I care about is how you’ll play it in 10 years.” (Gordon Green) Well as a segue way to this posting,… Continue reading Pedaling Chopin Waltz No. 19 in A minor, Op. Posthumous

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Piano technique lesson segments flow nicely into repertoire

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Today, the technique portion of a Face Time lesson to North Carolina complemented the main musical course, Chopin's Waltz in A minor, Op. Posthumous. It was a harmonious streaming with thumbs swinging; arms floating; and scale contouring that fed well-shaped Romantic era phrases. It played out as follows: The A minor scale was parceled out… Continue reading Piano technique lesson segments flow nicely into repertoire

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An adult piano student explores phrase shaping in Chopin’s A minor Waltz, Op. Posth.

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I'm always warmed by lovely, contoured phrasing, especially when it's produced by an adult student who's reached a new level of aesthetic consciousness through especially attentive and consistent practicing. This particular player has increased her sensitivity in shaping the Chopin A minor Waltz melody with curves, dips, loops, and tapering, while her left hand that… Continue reading An adult piano student explores phrase shaping in Chopin’s A minor Waltz, Op. Posth.

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Spot Practicing at the Piano: It’s Quality, not Quantity

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Some call it "spot cleaning," I prefer spot "refining" to describe THOUGHTFUL, isolated step-wise measure practicing. Needless to say, a troublesome measure is surrounded by others that lead in and exit out of the problematic center, so it's not enough to have only a focal spotlight on a particular glitch, though it's a good start.… Continue reading Spot Practicing at the Piano: It’s Quality, not Quantity

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My singing Steinway studio upright is a parting sorrow

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

It hasn't left Berkeley yet, but I'm sure my second singing nightingale will in time find the right owner. I've down-sized since my recent move--going from 3,000 sq feet, to 1500 to 700. Might as well live in a Pod. Most readers and You Tubers watched me demonstrate for my students on the upright, as… Continue reading My singing Steinway studio upright is a parting sorrow

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Preparing for a Skyped piano lesson to Europe by tweaking a Logitech Cam (Videos)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Since there's a 9-hour difference between my West Coast locale and London, England, I had ample time to prep my external cam for the right keyboard angle. Conversely, the student beaming in from Europe had her SWEEX HD all lined up, with a link to Amazon where she purchased it, but not to THE AMAZON,… Continue reading Preparing for a Skyped piano lesson to Europe by tweaking a Logitech Cam (Videos)

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Claudia’s piano lesson in progress: Preparing the Chopin A minor Waltz no. 19, Op. posthumous and Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” for the MTAC Fall Festival

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I returned to the iMac21 for this videotaping in the company of my nifty Yeti mic. (I'm waiting for Y to speak in Star Wars lingo, or double as a cleaning robot) Everything was definitely effortless this time because I opted NOT to edit. I just let the lesson segment run its course without fussing… Continue reading Claudia’s piano lesson in progress: Preparing the Chopin A minor Waltz no. 19, Op. posthumous and Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” for the MTAC Fall Festival

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How long should a piano student stay with a piece?

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

As a teacher, I've often pondered this question, concluding that there are varying answers which depend on the advancement and motivation of individual students. Certainly no fixed formula addresses the length of time a pupil needs to fully realize his potential when practicing a given composition. By way of example, I have an adult student,… Continue reading How long should a piano student stay with a piece?

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The very first Chopin Waltz that I teach: #19, Op. Posth. in A minor (Video instruction)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ--gGIwgAA After decades of teaching the Chopin Waltzes, I've come to the conclusion that the A minor, No. 19, Op. Posthumous is the best student introduction to the form as the composer cultivated it. While many other Waltzes in Chopin's collection are far more substantial and technically challenging, No. 19, is in my opinion, easiest… Continue reading The very first Chopin Waltz that I teach: #19, Op. Posth. in A minor (Video instruction)