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"Fur Elise" by Beethoven, classissima, classissima.com, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, Ludwig Van Beethoven, pianist, piano, piano instruction, piano lessons, playing piano, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, word press, word press.com, wordpress, you tube video, yout tube, youtube.com

My childhood “Fur Elise,” past teachers, yearbook entries, and present mentoring (Video)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I named one of my daughters, "Elise," in honor of Beethoven's famous composition. That's how much I adored the music. A companion piece since childhood, I managed to squeak through the notes at age 8 when enrolled at a quaint music school off Kingsbridge Road in the Bronx. Private lessons followed my two years of… Continue reading My childhood “Fur Elise,” past teachers, yearbook entries, and present mentoring (Video)

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Piano Technique: The dipping wrist, and how it defies convention (Videos)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

One of my adult students echoed a belief that has resonated for generations in piano studios across the country, if not the world. The OLD school of thought was that you played piano with a rigid, arched hand, and if you slipped into a longer, relaxed curve, or dared to DIP your wrist below the… Continue reading Piano Technique: The dipping wrist, and how it defies convention (Videos)

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Growing piano technique in baby steps: Rina, 5, advances to hands together five-finger positions (adding in 10ths)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Rina may not know the words "pentascales" and "tenths," but she has the intelligence to notice when her fingers move up and down together, playing the same notes an "octave" apart. With a sound knowledge of the music alphabet in both directions, she has good cognitive reinforcement. (She also knows "running notes" or 8ths, "long… Continue reading Growing piano technique in baby steps: Rina, 5, advances to hands together five-finger positions (adding in 10ths)

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George Li’s pianistic idol: Russell Sherman

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

In a compelling personal interview, Georgle Li waxed poetic about Russell Sherman's artistry: "I really admire and love his playing. It’s so colorful, yet so unique that it’s totally inspiring. There is so much character, so much drama, and he does things totally unexpected that it takes your breath away." George whet my appetite to… Continue reading George Li’s pianistic idol: Russell Sherman

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My Interview with George Li, a seasoned pianist at 16

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

http://youtu.be/JJ0fERiMXr4 George Li's offical website illuminates his musical accomplishments while it resonates with gratitude for a community that has supported him over the years. A page link to a "family" circle of parents, teachers, mentors, and others, sends a heartwarming message that it takes a village to raise and nurture a musician as incomparably gifted… Continue reading My Interview with George Li, a seasoned pianist at 16

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Preparing a student to play the Bach Prelude in C (Well-Tempered Clavier) for the Spring Recital (videos)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Here's a flashback of my work with Sakura, 14, on the Bach Prelude in C. You can readily hear the improvement in her performance at the recent Spring student recital held May 5, 2012. (included for comparison) Videotaping lessons, and sending these You Tube uploads to pupils help reinforce points made during lessons. In addition,… Continue reading Preparing a student to play the Bach Prelude in C (Well-Tempered Clavier) for the Spring Recital (videos)

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The value of sending video supplements to students between piano lessons

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Since I'm in the swing of You Tubing, it's not a stretch to whip up post-lesson videos to send to students for mid-week reinforcement. In this instance, one of my new SKYPE pupils will benefit from a video that carefully explores the singing tone, as well as arm, wrist, hand choreography, since these are fundamental… Continue reading The value of sending video supplements to students between piano lessons

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Valley Music Center in Fresno, California resurrects the acoustic piano!

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Given the surge in digital piano sales, most of us thought acoustic pianos were on their way out. And when our local Fresno Piano dealership closed its doors back in March 2011, piano mavens who wanted to purchase prized Steinways had to schlep to L.A. or grab an Amtrak headed south for Bakersfield. Neither were… Continue reading Valley Music Center in Fresno, California resurrects the acoustic piano!

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Rina, 5, performs at our Spring Recital (after 8 months of piano lessons) Video

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Rina is moving right along. She can spin a legato phrase with finesse after having practiced her detached-note playing for months. Now she's working on using featherlight thumbs to craft smoother lines. Notice her supple wrist approach to the piano: *** Here's a sample of Rina's offerings at the May 5th evening recital held at… Continue reading Rina, 5, performs at our Spring Recital (after 8 months of piano lessons) Video

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Piano Technique: Practicing dip/roll motions, and dead weight fat lady to skinny dipper for diminuendo (Videos)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I show my 13-year old student, Albertina how to dip/roll the last measures of Burgmuller's frenzied Ballade, while applying weight control to taper a phrase. (diminuendo) We're on the final lap of preparation for Saturday's Spring Recital! http://youtu.be/FjaKqpnUq08 ONLINE Webcam piano classes and Instructional schedule: http://www.powhow.com/classes/shirley-kirsten Play through: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTR0BIMxCdA