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.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
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.
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