I've been watching a lot of pro pianists playing and rarely do I see them using their so-called weak fingers without support from the rest of the limb. It seemed weird because of the "finger independence" mantra sold by many technique books. It all makes sense now! Thank you Fitch.
We are meant to have weaker fingers. Many pianists have ruined their hands trying to make fingers equally "strong". The way you present this topic is clear and realistic. I would just add that technical work should never cause pain.
Very true. In fact, the Czerny excercises are played way too fast nowadays. When played in whole beat, they sound like minature pieces, and are actually quite fun to play and listen to.
you all probably dont care but does anyone know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account..? I stupidly forgot the account password. I would love any tricks you can offer me.
@Harper Marley thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
As a person who is just now self-teaching piano and searching for exercises to strengthen my fingers, this video has made me think smarter about the whole process. It would've been great if we had an overhead camera to see exactly how you're aligned though!
I've noticed that a comfort-loving attitude is actually very beneficial for playing. Whenever playing feels like hard work, I figure there's something wrong with it :D this was a very helpful video, thank you!
I love your clear and inspiring explanations. You are a really skilled teacher who encourages and I always feel I need to practise when I’ve watched one of your videos. Brilliant!
Lots of really helpful stuff here - I've over focussed on exercises to stengthen those "weaker fingers" without ever really thinking about the position of my hands, and alignment - that circular motion was really good to see as well.
Sir you are a great teacher. I have learn so much from your videos as constantly I follow your video. The way you explains it’s so easy to understand for the students. Thank you so much 😊
Excellent lecture. Excellent lesson. Now I have more fuel for my students lessons and practice for me. Thank you Graham Fitch. I appreciate it. Please have a good day.
This is *exactly* what I need right now, thank you so, so much. Also, hearing bits of my favourite piece of music on earth in the middle of a teaching video: priceless :D (the Nocturne)
Hello sir, You are the best teacher 🙏 Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Your lessons can definitely change the vision of piano learner’s. I am following your lessons from long time and it really help, In fact many piano teachers don’t teach details like you. Thank you so much 🙏
Such a good video! I have been having trouble with the double thirds in Schubert's Moment Musical Op 94 No. 3 in F minor (first appears at measure 9). I'm going to try what I learned here to improve on those beautiful passages. Thank you for this video!
Wonderfull👍🏻love it when somebody says "out with classical teachings about building finger strenght". But can i still do those schmitt preparatory exercises using the rotating wrist technique? Thx
In Chopin's Nocturne Op48 No 1, in the Doppio Movimento part where I need to bring out the melody with my fourth/pink fingers while playing chords with the thumb and index, how should I align my arm/wrist? When I practice that part I find that my hand is similar to 4:42 and it leads to tension
Personally, I've never thought of things like Hanon as "strengthening" exercises, for me they were always about developing rhythmic "evenness" that would hopefully transfer to actual pieces and improvisation. Some of the patterns in Hanon were difficult for me to play evenly at a decent tempo, which made me feel like I had big holes in my technique and I would also struggle with evenness in certain run-like passages in repertoire that felt like they came from the same lack of real control. I thought if I could slowly get all of Hanon even and under complete control, I would be better prepared for lots of actual repertoire. Now, since I'm lazy this never happened, but I still sort of believe in the idea.. :)
Good stuff - with a little knowledge one can create all kinds of exercises from the compositions one plays like the B section of Chopin’s C#m waltz- take the first bar and run it chromatically - way more fun than the books !
This is so extraordinarily helpful! For the last few months, especially, I have been drilling the "weaker fingers" and haven't come upon much progress. This sheds so much light on the topic! Thank you, Maestro Fitch!
I totally agree with this advice, but what about chords and voicing? If I’m playing any chord with an octave or larger span, I can’t align my forearm with my weaker fingers, but I’d still like to voice that fourth or fifth finger most prominently. How does one handle that?
To Mr. Fitch (or to anyone who kindly answers my question), Thank you very much for your useful presentations. Please let me know the name of piece that you play in the middle of the video (from 6' 45'' to 7') . The piece resembles Schubert op 90-3 and I remember you refer in another video .
So, the arm must create a rotation while playing? That's what I got from the lesson. Like waves from, right? I'm starting to learn piano and want to do it properly
Thank you Mr. Finch for all you teaching videos 🙏🙏🙏. Not only I understand the topic by your demonstration each time but also enjoy your playing. Even just a phrase you make it sounds so beautifully. You have magic fingers and great approach to the keys. Totally falling in love with your teaching 🥰 Thank you so much indeed 🙏
the problem is that beginners can't even obtain that result because their hands and fingers are not trained and have dexterity to apply these concepts. Here we can see a very good pianist with a perfectly trained hand, but for a beginner also rotate hand and hit the key with the pinkie is difficult: you can have the pinkie that flexes, hit other keys with the adiacent fingers, have the other fingers that move unvoluntarily and go in the air.. etc.. Before applying these you have to train anyway your fingers to be independent and stay relaxed when other fingers press the keys. In my case, I play piano since 16 years starting unfortunately from an adult age, have practiced all types of technique exercises, studied with teachers, took a degree , read a lot online about any possible technique approach, but still i have difficulties of fingers that moves without control and in my left hand I simply just can't play a simple scale because i haven't managed to release the tension from every finger that plays in order to play the next
It's really helpful. Thanks a lot !(And I wonder if it is ok to repost this video to Chinese website like bilibili.com? I will address the original site and your name :D
If one truly wants to strengthen finger, hand, and arm muscles safely and effectively, start jumping rope. It will increase your musical dexterity and stamina, I promise you 😉
xirui222 I don’t think that’s you fingers’ problem. You might need to practice your notes in a real slow tempo for accuracy. If you feel a slow progression in your practice, the way you practice are often the keys.
Sorry but I will go against Mr Fitchs assumptions. I would never compare myself to his talent...in fact my playing is terrible with a capital T. What strength we need to help our weaker fingers is not to lift weights or push heavy objects with those fingers. We need strength to be able to control those weaker fingers to play forte or just piano and we also need it to be precise and constant. Mr Fitch talks from a lifetime playing so he may not realise that he has gone through the phase of strengthening to master the piano. I haven't so all of those repetitive exercises are there to get our fingers the strength and dexterity needed to manage to control our playing, much like a tennis player needs to control his racquet or a golf player his club for that little shot that requires a deft touch. Unfortunately repetition is the only way.
I have 32 years old, I have been playing piano since I was 8, and this is one lesson that changed my way of playing. Thank you so much professor!
I've been watching a lot of pro pianists playing and rarely do I see them using their so-called weak fingers without support from the rest of the limb. It seemed weird because of the "finger independence" mantra sold by many technique books.
It all makes sense now! Thank you Fitch.
We are meant to have weaker fingers. Many pianists have ruined their hands trying to make fingers equally "strong". The way you present this topic is clear and realistic. I would just add that technical work should never cause pain.
Very true. In fact, the Czerny excercises are played way too fast nowadays. When played in whole beat, they sound like minature pieces, and are actually quite fun to play and listen to.
@@thepianoman6958 do you are have stupid?
you all probably dont care but does anyone know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account..?
I stupidly forgot the account password. I would love any tricks you can offer me.
@Colin Harper Instablaster =)
@Harper Marley thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm.
Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
As a person who is just now self-teaching piano and searching for exercises to strengthen my fingers, this video has made me think smarter about the whole process. It would've been great if we had an overhead camera to see exactly how you're aligned though!
Huge Respect, 42 years, Cairo, Egypt
It's really a helpful lesson! I've been bothered by my "weak" fingers for years and this actually helped me! So amazing.
Graham - always so helpful. Can’t wait to meet you in 2022 in Kent! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I have been taking private piano lessons for many years, but no teacher has spoken about this yet! thank you very much!
I've noticed that a comfort-loving attitude is actually very beneficial for playing. Whenever playing feels like hard work, I figure there's something wrong with it :D this was a very helpful video, thank you!
Absolutely great demonstration!
I love your clear and inspiring explanations. You are a really skilled teacher who encourages and I always feel I need to practise when I’ve watched one of your videos. Brilliant!
Lots of really helpful stuff here - I've over focussed on exercises to stengthen those "weaker fingers" without ever really thinking about the position of my hands, and alignment - that circular motion was really good to see as well.
I recently decided to work on Chopin chromatic and double thirds etudes, this is great timing. Thanks for sharing
Extremely helpful! Love Pianist magazine! Thank you so much Graham!
Sir you are a great teacher. I have learn so much from your videos as constantly I follow your video. The way you explains it’s so easy to understand for the students. Thank you so much 😊
Always wonderful to see a new lesson from Graham! Thank you, Prof. Fitch, for this very informative and encouraging series.
Excellent lecture. Excellent lesson. Now I have more fuel for my students lessons and practice for me. Thank you Graham Fitch. I appreciate it. Please have a good day.
Absolutely adore these masterclass lessons from Graham! Pure gold, my technique improvement is proof 😊 huge thanks 👍✌
Thank you sir!! You are THE game changer!!
This is *exactly* what I need right now, thank you so, so much.
Also, hearing bits of my favourite piece of music on earth in the middle of a teaching video: priceless :D (the Nocturne)
Hello sir, You are the best teacher 🙏 Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Your lessons can definitely change the vision of piano learner’s. I am following your lessons from long time and it really help, In fact many piano teachers don’t teach details like you. Thank you so much 🙏
enjoyed your clear explanations, thank you!
Extremely helpful tutorial - thank you!
Absolutely love to listen/watch you over and over soooo wonderful meaningful teaching, even dough I am a teacher, love it!!
Wonderful video. Lots of takeaways from this. Very much appreciated.
Very good advice. I would also recommend this video to beginners. It is important to learn to align your arms with the hands from the beginning.
Clear, precise demonstration with great examples. Thank you!
Excellent and very helpful lesson!!! Thank you very much!!!
This man is master. Thank you so much. Love from India.
Thank you so,so much. Incredibly useful, every beginning student should and must know what you have logically presented.
Very useful and right on time! Thank you so much.
Thank you. I will try to bring into practice for the second etude of Chopin. i hope you will speak about it one of these days.
Thank you sir. Good tips for beginners.
Brilliant.
Really amazing advice and so well explained! Thank you so much!
Thank you very much!!!! Another great masterclass!!!
Great video, thanks! It would have been useful to have a top-view camera to get clearer ideas of the notes being played.
Great video! Thanks!
Such useful advice. Thank you!
Such a good video! I have been having trouble with the double thirds in Schubert's Moment Musical Op 94 No. 3 in F minor (first appears at measure 9). I'm going to try what I learned here to improve on those beautiful passages. Thank you for this video!
very very useful，thank you.
Loved this lesson!
Wonderfull👍🏻love it when somebody says "out with classical teachings about building finger strenght". But can i still do those schmitt preparatory exercises using the rotating wrist technique? Thx
In Chopin's Nocturne Op48 No 1, in the Doppio Movimento part where I need to bring out the melody with my fourth/pink fingers while playing chords with the thumb and index, how should I align my arm/wrist? When I practice that part I find that my hand is similar to 4:42 and it leads to tension
Personally, I've never thought of things like Hanon as "strengthening" exercises, for me they were always about developing rhythmic "evenness" that would hopefully transfer to actual pieces and improvisation. Some of the patterns in Hanon were difficult for me to play evenly at a decent tempo, which made me feel like I had big holes in my technique and I would also struggle with evenness in certain run-like passages in repertoire that felt like they came from the same lack of real control. I thought if I could slowly get all of Hanon even and under complete control, I would be better prepared for lots of actual repertoire. Now, since I'm lazy this never happened, but I still sort of believe in the idea.. :)
Exactly! This is what Hanon exercises are for, at least to me.
I'm coming from the old school of playing Hannon for the purpose of developing strength. I'd give it a shot! It helped my playing tremendously!
Hanon all in C major is wasteful: transpose some of the exercises that focus on 3,4,5 fingers; start with B major. Big difference.
Good stuff - with a little knowledge one can create all kinds of exercises from the compositions one plays like the B section of Chopin’s C#m waltz- take the first bar and run it chromatically - way more fun than the books !
Too Good！！！！You made my day！！
A very timely and well-presented video as usual....on another note, Prof Fitch is looking rather natty today !
Why, because usually he's on roids?
This is so extraordinarily helpful! For the last few months, especially, I have been drilling the "weaker fingers" and haven't come upon much progress. This sheds so much light on the topic! Thank you, Maestro Fitch!
How do you gain "Speed" in scale passages as in Mozart or Clementi Sonatas, even Scarlatti (like K. 492)❓Any suggestions❓Thank you.
I totally agree with this advice, but what about chords and voicing? If I’m playing any chord with an octave or larger span, I can’t align my forearm with my weaker fingers, but I’d still like to voice that fourth or fifth finger most prominently. How does one handle that?
There is a seperate Video on that topic:
th-cam.com/video/FhlbTTKtFhk/w-d-xo.html
There is also an in depth Part. Its in one of those
What was that Chopin selection, an Etude❓Thanks.
To Mr. Fitch (or to anyone who kindly answers my question), Thank you very much for your useful presentations. Please let me know the name of piece that you play in the middle of the video (from 6' 45'' to 7') . The piece resembles Schubert op 90-3 and I remember you refer in another video .
That's Chopin's Etude in A flat major, Op. 25, No. 1
@@brianmichaelmusicetc Thank you very much. I will start to practice as soon as possible.
Is there a link to these exercises, or a book suggestion? There were a few useful techniques in the lesson.
So, the arm must create a rotation while playing? That's what I got from the lesson. Like waves from, right? I'm starting to learn piano and want to do it properly
Thank you Mr. Finch for all you teaching videos 🙏🙏🙏. Not only I understand the topic by your demonstration each time but also enjoy your playing. Even just a phrase you make it sounds so beautifully. You have magic fingers and great approach to the keys. Totally falling in love with your teaching 🥰
Thank you so much indeed 🙏
I'm going to do this, hope it stops the flying flourishing pinky!
It would have been so much easier to see the line up of the hand with an over head camera angle but thank you for the excellent work
I wish I had you as a piano teacher 40 yrs ago. I was taught no technic whatsoever so I play badly.
What's the song in the beginning?
Nice video :)
freakin genius
Rolls-Royce commercial slogan: You do not drive a Rolls - the Rolls drives you. Does this match to Steinway too? :-)
the problem is that beginners can't even obtain that result because their hands and fingers are not trained and have dexterity to apply these concepts. Here we can see a very good pianist with a perfectly trained hand, but for a beginner also rotate hand and hit the key with the pinkie is difficult: you can have the pinkie that flexes, hit other keys with the adiacent fingers, have the other fingers that move unvoluntarily and go in the air.. etc.. Before applying these you have to train anyway your fingers to be independent and stay relaxed when other fingers press the keys. In my case, I play piano since 16 years starting unfortunately from an adult age, have practiced all types of technique exercises, studied with teachers, took a degree , read a lot online about any possible technique approach, but still i have difficulties of fingers that moves without control and in my left hand I simply just can't play a simple scale because i haven't managed to release the tension from every finger that plays in order to play the next
I enjoyed your lesson and yes I agree as an beginning adult student. But as an asian lady, Sir you do have stronger fingers than I do 😅
It's really helpful. Thanks a lot !(And I wonder if it is ok to repost this video to Chinese website like bilibili.com? I will address the original site and your name :D
Ching would definitely disagree about the rotation.
Change ur camera angle man...it will explain more than this...tq
Great great content as always. You don't get these from your teacher
If one truly wants to strengthen finger, hand, and arm muscles safely and effectively, start jumping rope. It will increase your musical dexterity and stamina, I promise you 😉
5th
My problem with 4/5th finger is not such that they are weak as that they cannot hit the desired key, especially black keys, as accurately within jumps
xirui222 I don’t think that’s you fingers’ problem. You might need to practice your notes in a real slow tempo for accuracy. If you feel a slow progression in your practice, the way you practice are often the keys.
Mother nature gave a chewy forth finger 🤭
Sorry but I will go against Mr Fitchs assumptions. I would never compare myself to his talent...in fact my playing is terrible with a capital T. What strength we need to help our weaker fingers is not to lift weights or push heavy objects with those fingers. We need strength to be able to control those weaker fingers to play forte or just piano and we also need it to be precise and constant. Mr Fitch talks from a lifetime playing so he may not realise that he has gone through the phase of strengthening to master the piano. I haven't so all of those repetitive exercises are there to get our fingers the strength and dexterity needed to manage to control our playing, much like a tennis player needs to control his racquet or a golf player his club for that little shot that requires a deft touch. Unfortunately repetition is the only way.
Brilliant use of psychology: 03:49.