http://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/experts/robert/faster/
Another great Robert Estrin video on how to play the piano faster.
He points out that the two things that are required to increase speed is finger strength and using proper technique.
Practicing naturally will add strength. Adding scales, arpeggios and exercises to your practice that enhance that strength.
He offers a couple of ways to develop greater speed in your piano playing.
One is to practice slowly, using a metronome, increasing speed one notch at a time.
Another way is to take the piece apart, one small part at a time. Focus on mastering a particular phrase using one hand position/finger patterns. Practice that one phrase slowly, with the metronome. Gradually increase it until you can play it rapidly and fluently.
Take the next little phrase and practice it the same way.
Then then the last couple of notes of the first phrase and add them to the second phrase. Practice until flawless. Then play the entire two phrases together until mastered.
Continue through the piece.
Use minimal arm weight. The fingers are basically fluttering over the keys.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Monday, October 27, 2014
Music Lessons Make Smarter Kids, Studies Show
Children who take music lessons test higher than those who don't, studies show. This article sites sources:
To quote from the article:
"The Canadian study lends support to the idea that musical training may do more for kids than simply teach them their scales--it exercises parts of the brain useful in mathematics, spatial intelligence and other intellectual pursuits.
'With music lessons, because there are so many different facets involved--such as memorizing, expressing emotion, learning about musical interval and chords--the multidimensional nature of the experience may be motivating the [IQ] effect,' said study author E. Glenn Schellenberg, of the University of Toronto at Mississauga."
I believe that music lessons help develop a person's brain because when you're playing a musical instrument, you're utilizing all the modes of learning--auditory, visual, hands-on, etc.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Video #23 Small Hands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3NbxmFEXd0
In this video Robert Estrin admits that he has small hands but here is how you get around that difficulty:
1. Develop a great deal of strength to overcome that challenge.
2. Use the pedal to help in the reach problems.
3. Break, bottom up, to get the balance you want.
In this video Robert Estrin admits that he has small hands but here is how you get around that difficulty:
1. Develop a great deal of strength to overcome that challenge.
2. Use the pedal to help in the reach problems.
3. Break, bottom up, to get the balance you want.
Video #20 Pedaling
Another Robert Estrin video, this one on pedaling techniques.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQZXsKWt9Xs
Here are some tips Estrin offers when pedaling:
1. Keep heels firmly on the floor.
2. The ball of the foot is how you control the pedal.
3. Always keep the ball of the foot in contact with the pedal. If you don't, and you come down on the pedal, it creates noise.
4. The pedals of each piano is different. They all release the dampers at different points. You have to experiment to see how you can pedal quietly and effectively.
5. One of the first things you want to do before playing a piano, especially for a concert, is how the pedals respond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQZXsKWt9Xs
Here are some tips Estrin offers when pedaling:
1. Keep heels firmly on the floor.
2. The ball of the foot is how you control the pedal.
3. Always keep the ball of the foot in contact with the pedal. If you don't, and you come down on the pedal, it creates noise.
4. The pedals of each piano is different. They all release the dampers at different points. You have to experiment to see how you can pedal quietly and effectively.
5. One of the first things you want to do before playing a piano, especially for a concert, is how the pedals respond.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Video #20 How to Handle Large Leaps in Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI7uabNseUc&list=PL499BBD56D503F986
Robert Estrin addresses the situation of large leaps in a piece of music. The way to practice these large leaps, he says, is to stop just before the note after the leap. Study your hand. Make sure you're right over the right note.
Do that again and again, making sure that you are consistently over the correct key.
Once you're used to being over the right key, still pause before playing the note. Gradually shorten the pause between that interval.
You'll never get rid of that pause in your mind even though rhythmically it may be gone.
Eventually you'll get so relaxed, says Estrin, that you won' stop at all. It becomes a fluid motion. That's the objective.
Robert Estrin addresses the situation of large leaps in a piece of music. The way to practice these large leaps, he says, is to stop just before the note after the leap. Study your hand. Make sure you're right over the right note.
Do that again and again, making sure that you are consistently over the correct key.
Once you're used to being over the right key, still pause before playing the note. Gradually shorten the pause between that interval.
You'll never get rid of that pause in your mind even though rhythmically it may be gone.
Eventually you'll get so relaxed, says Estrin, that you won' stop at all. It becomes a fluid motion. That's the objective.
Video #19 More Sight Reading Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7NaCC3KCDM
Robert Estrin gives sight reading tips.
1. Incorporate sight reading into your daily piano practice.
2. Playing with other musicians add in the objective of not correcting mistakes--to keep on going.
Robert Estrin gives sight reading tips.
1. Incorporate sight reading into your daily piano practice.
2. Playing with other musicians add in the objective of not correcting mistakes--to keep on going.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Video #18 Hanon: Playing Scales and Arpeggios
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4I99R-DXRs
This Robert Estrin video deals with using Hanon in playing scales and arpeggios.
1. The hands are mirror images.
2. Scales and arpeggios utilize a series of finger crossings. Memorize these.
3. The good news is that the fingering for C Major scale is the same for many other major and minor scales.
This Robert Estrin video deals with using Hanon in playing scales and arpeggios.
1. The hands are mirror images.
2. Scales and arpeggios utilize a series of finger crossings. Memorize these.
3. The good news is that the fingering for C Major scale is the same for many other major and minor scales.
Video #17 How to Play Hanon Exercises
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF1_zGpwbPQ
How do you effectively practice Hanon exercises? Check out this Robert Estrin video. Some of the points he covers include:
1. Always use a metronome. Start with a setting of 60.
2. It's all about finger strength. Use only the fingers, not the arms.
3. Keep fingers raised.
4. Once you've gone through this exercise several times at 1 note to a beat, move on to 2 notes to a beat, still with fingers raised.
5. Next, move on to 4 notes to a beat. There's no time to raise fingers now. Fingers close to the keys. ROUNDED hands.
6. Practice Hanon every day--focusing on one exercise a week.
7. After you've gone through the first 10 exercises, you're ready to move on to scales and arpeggios.
How do you effectively practice Hanon exercises? Check out this Robert Estrin video. Some of the points he covers include:
1. Always use a metronome. Start with a setting of 60.
2. It's all about finger strength. Use only the fingers, not the arms.
3. Keep fingers raised.
4. Once you've gone through this exercise several times at 1 note to a beat, move on to 2 notes to a beat, still with fingers raised.
5. Next, move on to 4 notes to a beat. There's no time to raise fingers now. Fingers close to the keys. ROUNDED hands.
6. Practice Hanon every day--focusing on one exercise a week.
7. After you've gone through the first 10 exercises, you're ready to move on to scales and arpeggios.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Video #16 Are You Ever too Old to Learn to Play the Piano?
No. Learning to play the piano is possible for all ages. A parent, or grandparent, learning to play the piano can be an inspiration to a child. It can motivate the child to also want to learn, or to be more diligent in practicing.
A unique and cool thing about playing the piano is you can have a complete musical experience all by yourself. When you've developed some piano skills, you will not only find enjoyment for yourself but can also provide enjoyment to others, as you perform, collaborate with other musicians or accompany singers.
As you continue to practice, you will continue to progress for the rest of your life. It's an ongoing process. You never really "arrive" at mastering the piano.
Robert Estin in this video encourages a potential student (of any age) to get an instrument that you enjoy playing and find a good teacher.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FURFyi4Uo2I&list=PL67CdyKIXy38rk8tkJ-o0xJQLviVr4mnX
A unique and cool thing about playing the piano is you can have a complete musical experience all by yourself. When you've developed some piano skills, you will not only find enjoyment for yourself but can also provide enjoyment to others, as you perform, collaborate with other musicians or accompany singers.
As you continue to practice, you will continue to progress for the rest of your life. It's an ongoing process. You never really "arrive" at mastering the piano.
Robert Estin in this video encourages a potential student (of any age) to get an instrument that you enjoy playing and find a good teacher.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FURFyi4Uo2I&list=PL67CdyKIXy38rk8tkJ-o0xJQLviVr4mnX
Monday, October 6, 2014
Video #15 Power Versus Speed
An excellent Robert Estrin video on when to rely on the power of the arms versus the speed of the fingers to accomplish desired effect. And when to use wrists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcGJQoh-Dss
In a nutshell:
Arms: Use the arms for powerful passages.
Fingers: Use fingers for speed.
Wrists: Wrists are important in chord technique, especially when playing staccato, octaves and phrasing.
You need to use different parts of the body for different passages.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcGJQoh-Dss
In a nutshell:
Arms: Use the arms for powerful passages.
Fingers: Use fingers for speed.
Wrists: Wrists are important in chord technique, especially when playing staccato, octaves and phrasing.
You need to use different parts of the body for different passages.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Video #14 How to Play Trills
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv4nN-Bc9YA&list=PL_KsX1f0Qm3CxJ1I1LxU-0DD-P6A9AMWd&index=6
A wonderful Robert Estrin video on how to play trills. Here are some of his hints:
1. Minimal arm weight. Fingers kind of float above the keys with hardly any weight.
2. Fingers held very close to the keys. Rounded.
3. Not just a bunch of notes--treat a trill as any other passage of notes and must be measured.
4. Start by slowly playing the passage of notes that make up the trill.
5. Once you've mastered the trill slowly, increase speed one notch at a time on the metronome.
6. How fast to play the trill? Play a series of just the upper note (or the bottom). Then add other notes.
7. What note does a trill start on? You usually start on the next note on the scale above the written note of that key.
8. One of the hardest parts of a trill is ending it. Play the trill to the end of the trill and stop. Wait. Then add the ending that you've practiced and mastered. Gradually make that wait a little shorter. Eventually the wait will only be in your head.
9. Metronomes are crucial in working with any fast passaged, including trills.
A wonderful Robert Estrin video on how to play trills. Here are some of his hints:
1. Minimal arm weight. Fingers kind of float above the keys with hardly any weight.
2. Fingers held very close to the keys. Rounded.
3. Not just a bunch of notes--treat a trill as any other passage of notes and must be measured.
4. Start by slowly playing the passage of notes that make up the trill.
5. Once you've mastered the trill slowly, increase speed one notch at a time on the metronome.
6. How fast to play the trill? Play a series of just the upper note (or the bottom). Then add other notes.
7. What note does a trill start on? You usually start on the next note on the scale above the written note of that key.
8. One of the hardest parts of a trill is ending it. Play the trill to the end of the trill and stop. Wait. Then add the ending that you've practiced and mastered. Gradually make that wait a little shorter. Eventually the wait will only be in your head.
9. Metronomes are crucial in working with any fast passaged, including trills.
Video #13 Why Sight Reading is Important
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko9D8TdFNVg&index=3&list=PL_KsX1f0Qm3CxJ1I1LxU-0DD-P6A9AMWd
This Robert Estrin video addresses why learning to sight read is important. Here are some main reasons:
1. Sight reading will expand the amount of music that you will be able to play. There is a limited number of pieces that you master and you want to be capable of playing many more.
2. It's essential for playing with other musicians--you must listen to each other and keep moving ahead even if you make a mistake.
3. It helps to maximize the effectiveness of your practice because it allows you to zero in on the trouble areas. You will then know what parts to practice more.
This Robert Estrin video addresses why learning to sight read is important. Here are some main reasons:
1. Sight reading will expand the amount of music that you will be able to play. There is a limited number of pieces that you master and you want to be capable of playing many more.
2. It's essential for playing with other musicians--you must listen to each other and keep moving ahead even if you make a mistake.
3. It helps to maximize the effectiveness of your practice because it allows you to zero in on the trouble areas. You will then know what parts to practice more.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Video #11 Hand Position
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAV-XUZ5kWI
This is a wonderful Robert Estrin video on correct hand position. As he points out, a pianist shouldn't be using any muscles to hold the hand position. It should feel comfortable. Check this out.
This is a wonderful Robert Estrin video on correct hand position. As he points out, a pianist shouldn't be using any muscles to hold the hand position. It should feel comfortable. Check this out.
Video #11 How to Play Repeated Notes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtlCldRtokk&list=PL7ir4ALMvepUxQhFEdXtk6vEg7-5thFXE
A great video on playing repeated notes.
Here are some tips:
1. Using the 3-2-1 fingering!.
2. Play lightly.
3. Play close to the keys.
4. Practice clean release of notes.
5. Practice slowly and use metronome, increasing speed one notch at a time.
6. Practice sectionally, then group notes together.
A great video on playing repeated notes.
Here are some tips:
1. Using the 3-2-1 fingering!.
2. Play lightly.
3. Play close to the keys.
4. Practice clean release of notes.
5. Practice slowly and use metronome, increasing speed one notch at a time.
6. Practice sectionally, then group notes together.
Video #10 Chromatic Scale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMEj-IZ4-Yk
A Robert Estrin video on the chromatic scale, which is a scale that doesn't skip any notes.
When playing a chromatic scale, use the correct fingering. The black keys are played with the 3 finger. It doesn't matter what note you start on, you use this fingering:
B--1
C--2
C sharp--3
D--1
D sharp--3
E--1
F--2
F sharp--3
G--1
G sharp--3
A--1
So, for the pairs of white keys (B/C and E/F), you use 1-2 fingers (ascending) and 2-1 (descending). Black keys use 3 fingers. The white keys within the black-key ranges (D and G/A), use the 1 finger.
That's more complicated than it is but oh well.
A Robert Estrin video on the chromatic scale, which is a scale that doesn't skip any notes.
When playing a chromatic scale, use the correct fingering. The black keys are played with the 3 finger. It doesn't matter what note you start on, you use this fingering:
B--1
C--2
C sharp--3
D--1
D sharp--3
E--1
F--2
F sharp--3
G--1
G sharp--3
A--1
So, for the pairs of white keys (B/C and E/F), you use 1-2 fingers (ascending) and 2-1 (descending). Black keys use 3 fingers. The white keys within the black-key ranges (D and G/A), use the 1 finger.
That's more complicated than it is but oh well.
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