This evening I prepared a video supplement for an adult student who brought the gorgeously woven Little Prelude in C minor (BWV 934) to his first lesson. Since I had studied this work at the suggestion of another student, from faraway Greece, I had laid a firm foundation in my own layer by layer learning… Continue reading An in depth “Over”-view of J.S. Bach Little Prelude in C Minor, BWV 934
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My new Overhead webcam view adds fingering clarity and choreography
A You Tube glimpse of Bach Scholar's set-up for piano lessons by Skype clarified the right overhead keyboard view. Instead of enlisting a clip-on cam that provided an abridged and inverted view of the the keys, I secured a horizontal Alzo mount for my Targus 60" tripod, that gives a perfect planet keyboard panorama. THE… Continue reading My new Overhead webcam view adds fingering clarity and choreography
A NEW interview with pianist, Menahem Pressler
Just as the clocks were turned back here in the US, a student from the UK notified me of a recently posted interview with Pressler at the Berlin Philharmonic's Digital Concert Hall site. This is a FREE option, not needing subscriber status. (NOTE: The interview is in German with English subtitles) http://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/interview/16878-3 "It is love… Continue reading A NEW interview with pianist, Menahem Pressler
Facebook puts Menahem Pressler center stage, practicing “with love.”
An encore tribute to Maestro Pressler caught my eye on FB's Art of Piano Pedagogy forum. Deborah Rambo Sinn, a fine musician and teacher in her own right posted "My violinist's interview" with the octogenarian plus ten. It was the perfect supplement to a 2012 blog that I'd dedicated to Menahem that resonates into the… Continue reading Facebook puts Menahem Pressler center stage, practicing “with love.”
Teaching J.S. Bach Invention 1 in C (BWV 772)
With World Series updates shadowing last night's lesson, three students checked their cell phones inning by inning, but managed a deep-layer connection to Bach and Beethoven. My newest student introduced himself by reading through Bach's Invention 1 in C. As it played out, the composition is one of my favorites to teach. Its rich contrapuntal… Continue reading Teaching J.S. Bach Invention 1 in C (BWV 772)
A Feast of pianist, Richard Goode’s Artistry and a walk down memory lane
I hand-selected a particular recital for an outing with my adult student, Jocel. While he'd suggested a Yuja Wang foray at Davies Concert Hall in San Francisco, I prodded him to first experience the sublime artistry of Richard Goode. (Location: Zellerbach Auditorium in Berkeley, CA, CAL PERFORMANCES series) We were not disappointed. http://youtu.be/Dh4I_b9KipQ The last… Continue reading A Feast of pianist, Richard Goode’s Artistry and a walk down memory lane
Piano Technique: E minor arpeggios in staccato (various practicing approaches)–Video
Playing staccato triplets through romping arpeggios poses challenges for many students. Tension is triggered by what seems like disconnected notes, when in fact, the root, third, fifth progression should have a connecting thread. (despite note detachment) That's why I'll often recommend blocking out the arpeggio as the first preliminary to playing in LEGATO (smooth and… Continue reading Piano Technique: E minor arpeggios in staccato (various practicing approaches)–Video
Piano Technique: Breathing through inverted chords and 4-note arpeggios
A thoughtful journey through 4-note (double root) C Major Chords in INVERSIONS was a lesson preliminary to unraveling them with shape and contour. As a start, an adult student imagined the sound intended, breathed through a string of sonorities, and became aware of sensory and muscle memory dimensions of practicing. These fed nicely into the… Continue reading Piano Technique: Breathing through inverted chords and 4-note arpeggios
The Chopin Waltz No. 19 in A minor is Poetry in Motion
Adult piano students who aspire to play the Op. Posthumous A minor Waltz must immerse themselves in a poetic musical framing, floating notes with supple wrists and relaxed arms. In the bass, support for a horizontally spun melody should prevail, with after beats (chords) unobtrusively humming along. Fluidly played ornaments have their unique breath, artfully… Continue reading The Chopin Waltz No. 19 in A minor is Poetry in Motion
Teaching piano technique with artistry at the Special Music School/Kaufman Center
Master teacher, Irina Morozova infuses her piano lessons with an expressive music-making approach that applies to technique and repertoire. Scales, arpeggios, chords, Czerny etudes, etc. are not compartmentalized as pedantic exercises bundled in torturous repetitions. To the contrary, they're the substance of a musical craft that she honors with specific, singing-tone framed demonstrations of kinetic… Continue reading Teaching piano technique with artistry at the Special Music School/Kaufman Center
Arioso7's Blog (Shirley Kirsten) 