Here's an element of piano playing that I think many people are unaware of. To develop a really refined technique, you need to be very sensitive to the *feel* of your hands on the keys. This means, the the tactile sensation of your fingertips, the weight of the keys, the […]
Hi Everyone From now on I’m going to start keeping a more regular posting schedule with Piano Blog. Between teaching, practicing, composing, blogging, and wine drinking I’ve got a lot on my plate! So from now on you can expect posts on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday. Of course today is […]
Hi Pianobloggers! Yes I'm still alive, contrary to rumor, and much to the chagrin of any students who would like to get out of lessons this week. My latest project has taken me away from the blog for a few days, as I've been planning a small pamphlet on piano […]
Along the lines of the previous post, here’s a quick tip: If your practice isn’t “sticking”, maybe you aren’t doing enough “reps”. Many people will take my advice on working in small sections, but won’t repeat enough. They’ll figure out how to get through a section, repeat it maybe once, […]
Do you get your fingers mixed up when you play scales? Here’s a quick tip. Say the fingers to yourself in groups as you play, instead of one finger at a time. For instance if you’re playing the F Major scale, don’t think: 1 on F, 2 on G, 3 on A […]
A couple posts ago, I discussed the need for chunking, especially if your playing has a “stop-start” quality to it. Being able to chunk is also essential in the process of thinking ahead, since it frees up mental resources to consider what’s next. This process is like driving a car; […]