Today's romp in F# minor (melodic form) brought new awakenings in the universe of bouncy staccato through scales and arpeggios--(in big Forte projection, followed by a soft, piano range rendering) Within the psychological universe where mental images abound, catchwords like "THINKING UP" through rapid fire 32nds, kept the notes percolating without falling down FLAT with… Continue reading Piano Technique: Psychological and physical approaches to staccato (Video)
Tag: piano worldwide
Piano Technique: Respiration NOT perspiration
My students remind me to breathe long, natural breaths when playing through scales and arpeggios from moderate to brisk tempos. Through a selective process of elimination, we've collectively come to the conclusion that SWEATING it out, or driving technique to the ground, gritting teeth, or otherwise fighting a noteworthy terrain is counter-productive. In the final… Continue reading Piano Technique: Respiration NOT perspiration
Prjevalskaya soars as a world-wide pianist!
Marianna Prjevalskaya, an international personality, with roots in Spain; mentored in her formative years by her Russian mother, is a conspicuously accomplished pianist. As she journeys from one competition to another, she's racking up prizes in every venue imaginable. But what's most noteworthy are her profound gifts of communication: The pianist's phrase-loving playing has drawn… Continue reading Prjevalskaya soars as a world-wide pianist!
Does practice make perfect?
WQXR F.M. (NYC based) has posted its latest set of meta-based analyses of "deliberate practice" studies. (A mouthful of confusion to begin with!) Three researchers teamed up to discount the wise old adage that "practice makes perfect." (In their probings, they were "virtuosity" centered) The trio concluded that a much smaller percentage of so-called high-powered… Continue reading Does practice make perfect?
Two side-by-side approaches to Schubert and ONE wins a prize
The BACKDROP Over in Fairbanks, Alaska the awards ceremony that capped a prolonged Internet channeled e-competition was dragged out mercilessly. Every sponsor under the sun had to be acknowledged, including Yamaha International that put its Disklavier center stage, UP-staging the old-fashioned way of delivering music to audiences. Would you believe, laudatory performances were memorialized on… Continue reading Two side-by-side approaches to Schubert and ONE wins a prize
Pianist, Beth Levin weighs in on Competitions
Beth Levin is more than a pianist. She not only concertizes, records, presents symposia and teaches, but devotes quality time to arts commentary. At La Folia.com, she critiqued Schumann's Kreisleriana in tribute to an era she embraces in her spread of LIVE performances and recordings. http://www.lafolia.com/schumanns-kreisleriana/ *** http://youtu.be/m8SL7ub1VJI (Imported photos and video produced by Randolph… Continue reading Pianist, Beth Levin weighs in on Competitions
Awe-inspiring playing at the Alaska International Piano-E-Competition
This is the first Internet channeled "e-competition" that features a crop of well-trained adult pianists. The preceding Yamaha Disklavier sponsored events were youth-based and originated in the Midwest--(Minnesota to be exact) With current Disklavier technology flying high, the newest venue for pianists to dish out their talent with satellite assistance, is the great state of… Continue reading Awe-inspiring playing at the Alaska International Piano-E-Competition
A common chorus among adult piano students
As decades pass, and each adult piano student on his personal journey chimes in with a greeting at the start of a lesson, I've noticed a synchronized choir of commonly expressed thoughts. The riveting idée fixe that resonates LIVE and through SKYPE channels, is like the redundant motif of Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique. "I really want… Continue reading A common chorus among adult piano students
Adult Piano Instruction: Sight-reading, Solfeggio, and Transposition
I reserve the last 10-15 minutes of my lessons with a few adult students for sight-reading, sight-singing with solfeggio, and transposition activity. While I begin with short pieces in five-finger positions, the requirement to transpose these in a Circle of Fifth progression (playing Major and Relative minors) is a valuable ear-training experience. In the following… Continue reading Adult Piano Instruction: Sight-reading, Solfeggio, and Transposition
A Day in the Life of a Traveling Piano Teacher (Videos)
I take a once a week journey to Rockridge where I teach a private piano student. The 51B bus that I catch in Downtown Berkeley following my gym workout, travels along College Avenue, crossing into Oakland, California. Destination: a lovely two-story home on a tree-lined block, with a sub-level add-on designed specifically for its chief… Continue reading A Day in the Life of a Traveling Piano Teacher (Videos)
