Mazin Great lesson, today, sir! You are really starting to 'get' what it means when we say 'Good Practice Methods' and why they are necessary to learn a piece effectively and efficiently. Remember that the 'dance' you do seated on the piano while playing (moving to the strong beats), and having flexible wrists, while articulating keys is essential to music-making. Minutes to [...]
Briel Great work this past week on your older pieces this week and in the lesson today, Briel, so focus on your newer pieces this week as well. Remember that staccatos 'jump off' keys, and not 'come down' on the keys, and the melodic hand (usually the right hand) should always be heard noticeably louder than the other hand. Try for [...]
Excellent lessons and progress today, all of you!!! Mazin Good luck at tomorrow's recital, Maz, just remember to BREATHE and CONCLUDE ends of phrases before moving onto the next. BE IN CONTROL OF THE RHYTHM, don't let it be control of you. Minutes to practice: 45 minutes per day. What to practice: All of your pieces (excluding your recital pieces [...]
Great lessons today, practice during the week could have been (much) more! Mazin One practice session for the whole week? Maz, I know you were busy, but you really couldn't find at least 15 minutes every other day to keep up what you've learned? Although, that said, you did immensely improve on your recital song despite practicing it only once [...]
Good effort today, guys!! For those of you who are playing for the recital, you are in pretty good shape now! Anastasiya Remember to keep your wrists HIGH, and to NEVER try to play with the palms of your hands resting on the piano. Practicing hands separately saying the names of the notes out loud as you play will help you [...]
Great lessons, just more and better practice, as usual (hopefully not forever, wink, wink;)!! Mazin The above said, your playing did improve slightly from last week! See book notes for details on how to practice what, and read Gerardo's comments below, developing an 'objective point of view' as you listen to what you are playing in real-time is a necessary [...]
Briel Another great lesson, and a great practice this past week, Briel!! Keep it up. Remember to arch your wrists (and elbows out) when articulating in order to play the keys on your fingertips, to make a bright quality of tone!! Be aware of the sound you're producing on each melodic key from the moment your finger contacts the key until [...]
Briel Another great lesson, and a great practice this past week. Remember to be aware of/listen to the sound production from the finger articulation process from when the finger first makes contact with the key, what it (and your body movement) is doing while it's pressing down on the key, and how it comes off the key. All of this [...]
Great lessons today, guys, but your length and quality of practice could definitely be better!! Note the new format for your homework notes below. Mazin The above said, you did some good work this past week on your older pieces. Remember to 'think ahead' in the music, not just a few notes from where you're currently playing, but a couple [...]
Briel Another great lesson today, now put what we went over into practice, and you will be a better player next time we meet, I assure you! Remember to always BE IN MOTION to the rhythmic feel of the piece BEFORE your fingers touch the keys. Also, pay attention (listen) to HOW your fingers come off of keys, and to [...]