Tchaikovsky Op. 39 Children’s album – Arioso7's Blog (Shirley Kirsten)

I have to thank Sam, a Berkeley, California transplant to the UK, for imparting pearly words of wisdom via Skype. He shared an epiphany about music-making that got me thinking. As he observed a London chamber music Masterclass, Sam mentioned how the teacher planted a convincing thought that musicians are "actors,"---how they must capture mood… Continue reading A beginning adult piano student has an awakening about musical expression

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, piano technique, Shirley Smith Kirsten, velocity in piano playing

Piano Instruction: On the way to Velocity, doing the groundwork (Video)

January 2, 2014January 13, 2014 arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

When faced with a composition in Presto tempo, it's best to practice slowly, preferably separate hands, (at first) to secure a good fingering, understand HARMONIC flow (or progressions) and piece out the phrasing, that encompasses articulation and dynamics. In my own baby-step maiden journey this evening through Tchaikovsky's "Baba Yaga" (The Witch), Op. 39, No.… Continue reading Piano Instruction: On the way to Velocity, doing the groundwork (Video)

Piano Street

My first day learning a new piece and what was accomplished (Video)

December 30, 2013December 30, 2013 arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

In keeping with my resolution to learn new music quickly but thoroughly, I've set out today's first experience with Tchaikovsky's colorful, "Winter Morning" (Op. 39, No. 2, Children's Album) to give students of piano, ideas surrounding their first encounter with a composition: how the physical, musical, cognitive and affective (emotional) dimensions of a work, can… Continue reading My first day learning a new piece and what was accomplished (Video)