I don't usually listen to long videos, but I found this very interesting. I am starting to learn piano as a mature student, just for pleasure, so no stress involved for me!!
Your videos (and podcasts) have helped me in numerous ways. I no longer sit at the piano bashing out the ( mostly) correct notes; I am now beginning to hear music coming from my instrument! Tension has decreased, awareness has increased, and a sense of calmness is creeping in. You are speaking of more intangible, powerful instruction which isn’t taught in a weekly hourly lesson. Thank you, it’s much appreciated.
I think in pictures. I play by ear, if I hear it, and plink plonk for a bit I can find the basic tune. Even before I could read music. I hear where you, are coming from, sports psychology and viualization. Love this, recently found out I'm neurodivergent, if you want to say, are you also neurodivergent too. You discuss things in ways I do too. Sports psychology wise, visualisation lead what you are trying to do, then turn that but if your brain off and 'just run programe'. Like learning to drive at first you are focused on every action and step. At some point, it takes less conscious focus on individual actions, you know what does what and where stuff is, muscle memory.
Yes I am neurodiverse, and I think a lot of the things I talk about in this video are generally much harder for adults cursed with having 'normal' brains 😂 Not everybody is going to 'get it' 😎
This is a wonderful explaination what it's about to play piano (or any other instrument)! The main attention should be put in the music - which has a lot more dimensions than just the sound aspect (adding single notes on a thread).Music is sort of a philosophy. You can't learn philosophy by making a typewriter course. The term 'technique' is misleading in itself. It always reminds me to the german word 'Seelenklempner' for a psychiatrist, who tries to solve complex mental problems by prescribing drugs (or even worse).
you're putting the finger 👇🏻 on why many people - mostly adults - find it very hard to master a musical instrument. i'm a chromatic harmonica player and i recently bought a piano 🎹 to improve my musicality, in general and for my harmonica playing. so now i can learn to play chords and a bass line with my hands 👐 while i can see 👀 what i'm doing - not an option playing harmonica - and link what i'm doing and seeing to what i'm hearing 👂. i started my harmonica lessons with a big focus on technique - indeed, learning to play the harmonica is not easy - and i got so frustrated it took me about 18 months to master my breathing and embouchure so i could finally play a few bars of clean single notes. i changed to a different music teacher, a sax player who doesn't now anything about the harmonica. he thought me to learn by listening to the music and to play through feeling the music. he's also tough on scales and technical exercises, but he helped me to learn and grow a lot. so much of playing music happens in the mind 💭 and through the heart 💕.
Your video just popped up on the phone. Learning to play the piano, without a piano; in some part, is a space not really addressed. Playing the piano in the mind, and bringing your mind and consciousness to the piano, is another dimension I am going to explore. Thanks
Piano playing consists of common sense, heart and technical resources. All three should be equally developed. Without common sense you are a fiasco, without technique an amateur, and without heart a machine … ~ Vladimir Horowitz
Technique is the first thing you teach on the piano, it starts with correct posture, arm and wrist relaxation, exercises for finger independence- these are just the fundamental piano skills aka technique, which are crucial in playing piano! With those set correctly scales and arpeggios won’t be a problem. There is no way avoiding learning proper technique and expect to play good because you can even teach a monkey to press the keys but to play beautifully you need technique! Just like the tennis example, if you want the ball to shoot at a certain angle and distance- you need the technique to achieve it! Otherwise there is no control of the ball, no control in the music you’re playing, no control of your hands and fingers.
Yes, as I point out in the video, I absolutely teach technique. The video is not called 'You are (always) wasting your time learning technique'. I also made it very clear in the video that in the sports examples I was not saying to not learn technique. But what I also teach are the mental foundations so that the technique is not wasted. Usually these things are not taught- but qualities that students either seem to have or not have completely independent of the teacher. So some people will struggle for a long time- especially most adult learners. They can learn all the technique in the world, but with the wrong mental approach, it will be wasted.
@@HeartofthePiano we have sparred in a previous response. I would like to throw in my experience of teaching adults for consideration. I have only taught at conservatoire level and usually spend my time undoing misconceptions but when I have taught mature adults my experience has been that as adults, we often measure our self-worth by our skills and achievements and technique being a largely pass/fail concept is something that we can rationalise whereas music and musicality requires a degree of vulnerability that challenges our self-worth and I am concerned that the title of your post could appeal to more insecure people…your thoughts?
I disagree with the first comment re technique … it’s not the same for everyone re the stages of a student needs. The teacher might need to inspire and motivate a student to learn and progress, whilst nurturing their creativity and confidence. That’s what makes a good teacher, analysing and recognising what a student needs. Not every student has the intention to become a concert pianist , or a proficient piano player in order to pass grade 8 piano… but to live and love playing the piano. Let’s not forget why we as students play the piano at a later age, because of the love and passion to play the piano. He’s a teacher that identifies what the student needs in order to develop and progress, and not to loose the love and passion whilst playing…and this might not be first of all studying technique. So I beg to differ re your comment. I’m a student of the piano… I learn technique but a good teacher juggles between the mental state of the student, their needs in order to elevate and leverage their passion and creativity in playing. I think we must not forget that playing the piano for most of us is a pleasure and not a job.. so our teachers should ignite inspiration and motivation , not the feeling of work, even though it feels like it when our teacher pushes us to develop. The practise should be based on pleasure and interest not on rules, but rules are suggested and implemented over time by our teacher but because they get to know us and how we tick. This is why Bob for me is a great teacher as he combines the « person » and their talents weaving the technique and theory into the lessons. Do not forget it’s not about you ( the teacher) and your training and what worked for you… but it’s about the student and what works for them. Posted with respect to all teachers
Hi, I'm based in Yorkshire, England, but most of my students are online at the moment, if you contact me here I can give you more details: 🙂 heartofthepiano.com/contact/
I am a musician who recently started taking piano lessons. I understand all your points. I realize that my fingers need to be trained to move like a pianist, which will take time, but I also realized that I can be extremely musical with any piece on the piano because that is what I usually only think about when I play on my other instrument. However, when I watch many amateur pianists and street piano playing, most of them are just showing off and not musical. I guess that is very difficult to teach because I had no clue when I was a kid learning my instrument. I only understood when I reached very high levels.
He's on the right track, but spinning his wheels trying to get the point across. People don't and won't have the time for him to get to what he is tryung to explain. He's right! He's not good at making short videos
Hi. New viewer here. You have a lovely manner, but I’ve watched for 11 minutes and you’ve barely said anything - just telling people to go and watch this or that other video. Life’s too short, sorry.
Technique is a means to expression, the mechanism to music. Yes, you can play wonderfully without orthodox techniques but if you don’t have to fight yourself you free yourself up to express yourself. To title this video as he has is quite simply a dog whistle aimed at those who are looking for short cuts. His analogy with a beginner taking tennis lessons from a pro coach is flawed. Teaching a basic grounding, both technically and musically, is a high skill and very, very rarely found in high level teachers. Flip it round and I wonder what I could teach Roger Federer…hey Roger, it’s round and yellow and you hit over the net thingy.
You have very much misunderstood what I said. I made it clear in the video I absolutely teach technique, and I absolutely agree that technique is the means to expression. Technique is vital. My point is that I see so many learners have unhelpful mental states that prevent the acquisition of that technique. The way instruments are taught almost all the time is that the technique is taught, a few people with the right state of mind flourish... the rest just get very frustrated.
@@HeartofthePiano I very much do understand you but your video title is clearly aimed at people looking for short cuts and as such undermines your excellent point. I think the quality of the teacher is paramount and a good teacher will be able to combine technique and music. The best illustration is the move away from the Hanon “Virtuoso Pianist” exercises in favour of more musically rounded and grounded works.
@@mikehamnett9336 technique is only ever useful if the students don't quit lol. And the more advanced a pianist is, the more important technique is. To a beginner, technique doesn't mean anything. Do children learn to walk or speak at first by someone teaching them good techniques?!
What a stupid way of introducing your podcast....! yes I immediately moved on to some more uplifting advice....ie..after I watched Horowich the great pianist...a very humble man born in Kiev by the way.A Jew with impeccable finger technique....here you come telling "you wasting your time"..silly
Sorry, but you have no awareness of diversity and people with Aphantasia and/or Autism. I have no minds eye, or minds ear! So I ‘fail’ on your first assumption about Audiation. With my autism I am unable to ‘feel’ in the sense you talk about. I can agree about listening to lots of music, which I do encourage my students to do. Please research Aphantasia and Autism.
You have no idea what my awareness is on these subjects. There just isn't scope to go into it in this video which is already long enough for most people it seems(!), and certainly not in a small comment here. All I'll say is that the correlation between audiation and musicality is well established in the research, but that different strategies need to be used for people with anauralia which is I think what you're referring to. As far as autism is concerned, there are many studies on the correlation with deficits in interoception, but also many studies demonstrating that practising and developing interoception can help improve many of the challenges associated with ASD and many neurodiverse issues, as well as mental health issues- but I'm sure you must be aware of this research since you are lecturing me about this? 🙂
I don't usually listen to long videos, but I found this very interesting. I am starting to learn piano as a mature student, just for pleasure, so no stress involved for me!!
Thank you so much! 😊
Love the idea of cultivating a 'felt sense of always good enough.' Definitely something I struggle with at the piano. Thanks for the encouragement!
He’s my teacher and I can’t share enough how much he’s helped me in my creativity re composing
This applies to everything ever. But especially all the arts!! I can apply this to my piano practice as well as my drawings!
Your videos (and podcasts) have helped me in numerous ways. I no longer sit at the piano bashing out the ( mostly) correct notes; I am now beginning to hear music coming from my instrument! Tension has decreased, awareness has increased, and a sense of calmness is creeping in. You are speaking of more intangible, powerful instruction which isn’t taught in a weekly hourly lesson. Thank you, it’s much appreciated.
@@Leon-xw3nv that's great news, I'm so happy they helped!
Thank you for sharing your love of music ...
YOUR VIDEOS ARE AMAZING please continue mark levine jazz piano book PLEASE
Great job 👌👌👌
I think in pictures. I play by ear, if I hear it, and plink plonk for a bit I can find the basic tune. Even before I could read music. I hear where you, are coming from, sports psychology and viualization. Love this, recently found out I'm neurodivergent, if you want to say, are you also neurodivergent too. You discuss things in ways I do too.
Sports psychology wise, visualisation lead what you are trying to do, then turn that but if your brain off and 'just run programe'. Like learning to drive at first you are focused on every action and step. At some point, it takes less conscious focus on individual actions, you know what does what and where stuff is, muscle memory.
Yes I am neurodiverse, and I think a lot of the things I talk about in this video are generally much harder for adults cursed with having 'normal' brains 😂
Not everybody is going to 'get it' 😎
This is a wonderful explaination what it's about to play piano (or any other instrument)! The main attention should be put in the music - which has a lot more dimensions than just the sound aspect (adding single notes on a thread).Music is sort of a philosophy. You can't learn philosophy by making a typewriter course.
The term 'technique' is misleading in itself. It always reminds me to the german word 'Seelenklempner' for a psychiatrist, who tries to solve complex mental problems by prescribing drugs (or even worse).
you're putting the finger 👇🏻 on why many people - mostly adults - find it very hard to master a musical instrument. i'm a chromatic harmonica player and i recently bought a piano 🎹 to improve my musicality, in general and for my harmonica playing. so now i can learn to play chords and a bass line with my hands 👐 while i can see 👀 what i'm doing - not an option playing harmonica - and link what i'm doing and seeing to what i'm hearing 👂. i started my harmonica lessons with a big focus on technique - indeed, learning to play the harmonica is not easy - and i got so frustrated it took me about 18 months to master my breathing and embouchure so i could finally play a few bars of clean single notes. i changed to a different music teacher, a sax player who doesn't now anything about the harmonica. he thought me to learn by listening to the music and to play through feeling the music. he's also tough on scales and technical exercises, but he helped me to learn and grow a lot. so much of playing music happens in the mind 💭 and through the heart 💕.
Your video just popped up on the phone. Learning to play the piano, without a piano; in some part, is a space not really addressed. Playing the piano in the mind, and bringing your mind and consciousness to the piano, is another dimension I am going to explore. Thanks
Piano playing consists of common sense, heart and technical resources. All three should be equally developed. Without common sense you are a fiasco, without technique an amateur, and without heart a machine … ~ Vladimir Horowitz
Very funny: he tells you that you should play and not theorize first and then he doesn't play a single note.
thank you....after 6 mins that was it for me
I think so too.
You can see him playing simply by checking out his youtube channel. Happy now?
Look at his videos and you’ll become aware he’s very experienced and accomplished
Citando a Vangelis:
"Cada uno de nosotros, es una galaxia única"... Más o menos.
Technique is the first thing you teach on the piano, it starts with correct posture, arm and wrist relaxation, exercises for finger independence- these are just the fundamental piano skills aka technique, which are crucial in playing piano! With those set correctly scales and arpeggios won’t be a problem. There is no way avoiding learning proper technique and expect to play good because you can even teach a monkey to press the keys but to play beautifully you need technique! Just like the tennis example, if you want the ball to shoot at a certain angle and distance- you need the technique to achieve it! Otherwise there is no control of the ball, no control in the music you’re playing, no control of your hands and fingers.
Yes, as I point out in the video, I absolutely teach technique. The video is not called 'You are (always) wasting your time learning technique'. I also made it very clear in the video that in the sports examples I was not saying to not learn technique. But what I also teach are the mental foundations so that the technique is not wasted. Usually these things are not taught- but qualities that students either seem to have or not have completely independent of the teacher. So some people will struggle for a long time- especially most adult learners. They can learn all the technique in the world, but with the wrong mental approach, it will be wasted.
@@HeartofthePiano we have sparred in a previous response. I would like to throw in my experience of teaching adults for consideration. I have only taught at conservatoire level and usually spend my time undoing misconceptions but when I have taught mature adults my experience has been that as adults, we often measure our self-worth by our skills and achievements and technique being a largely pass/fail concept is something that we can rationalise whereas music and musicality requires a degree of vulnerability that challenges our self-worth and I am concerned that the title of your post could appeal to more insecure people…your thoughts?
I disagree with the first comment re technique … it’s not the same for everyone re the stages of a student needs. The teacher might need to inspire and motivate a student to learn and progress, whilst nurturing their creativity and confidence.
That’s what makes a good teacher, analysing and recognising what a student needs.
Not every student has the intention to become a concert pianist , or a proficient piano player in order to pass grade 8 piano… but to live and love playing the piano. Let’s not forget why we as students play the piano at a later age, because of the love and passion to play the piano.
He’s a teacher that identifies what the student needs in order to develop and progress, and not to loose the love and passion whilst playing…and this might not be first of all studying technique. So I beg to differ re your comment.
I’m a student of the piano… I learn technique but a good teacher juggles between the mental state of the student, their needs in order to elevate and leverage their passion and creativity in playing.
I think we must not forget that playing the piano for most of us is a pleasure and not a job.. so our teachers should ignite inspiration and motivation , not the feeling of work, even though it feels like it when our teacher pushes us to develop.
The practise should be based on pleasure and interest not on rules, but rules are suggested and implemented over time by our teacher but because they get to know us and how we tick.
This is why Bob for me is a great teacher as he combines the « person » and their talents weaving the technique and theory into the lessons. Do not forget it’s not about you ( the teacher) and your training and what worked for you… but it’s about the student and what works for them.
Posted with respect to all teachers
❤ 🎹 😊
Thank you for making these points 👉 👈 👇
Yes, awareness is everything 🙌
😊
💯🙏💓
Hi , where are you based? I need classes
Hi, I'm based in Yorkshire, England, but most of my students are online at the moment,
if you contact me here I can give you more details: 🙂
heartofthepiano.com/contact/
I am a musician who recently started taking piano lessons. I understand all your points. I realize that my fingers need to be trained to move like a pianist, which will take time, but I also realized that I can be extremely musical with any piece on the piano because that is what I usually only think about when I play on my other instrument. However, when I watch many amateur pianists and street piano playing, most of them are just showing off and not musical. I guess that is very difficult to teach because I had no clue when I was a kid learning my instrument. I only understood when I reached very high levels.
I agree with you… musicality is a gift if it comes naturally … I do believe it’s something you can learn as well… open to teachers to comment…
He's on the right track, but spinning his wheels trying to get the point across. People don't and won't have the time for him to get to what he is tryung to explain. He's right! He's not good at making short videos
👍👍👍👍👏👏
I am here because I play classical guitar
I'm a piano player. We're opposite sides of the same coin 👍!
I'm here because I play the triangle
Hi. New viewer here. You have a lovely manner, but I’ve watched for 11 minutes and you’ve barely said anything - just telling people to go and watch this or that other video. Life’s too short, sorry.
I think so, too.
Agreed. I was like that last time. It took time to learn not to waste time.
Buddhists, yes is no, no is yes. Emptiness. 😊😊
Get to the point, god lord
Good Buddha 😅
You obviously missed pt.4 "Patience". ....
Hi
Let me know about online lessons, thanks, Giuseppe.
Hi, do contact me using the link in the description 🙂
Without technique you can’t play harder pieces.
No technique will keep you at a very basic level.
Shaking my head in disbelief.
tell me you didn't watch the video without telling me you didn't watch the video... 😂
✌️✌️✌️☮️💜
05:39
This video is from a psychiatric hospital for patients.
Technique is a means to expression, the mechanism to music. Yes, you can play wonderfully without orthodox techniques but if you don’t have to fight yourself you free yourself up to express yourself. To title this video as he has is quite simply a dog whistle aimed at those who are looking for short cuts. His analogy with a beginner taking tennis lessons from a pro coach is flawed. Teaching a basic grounding, both technically and musically, is a high skill and very, very rarely found in high level teachers. Flip it round and I wonder what I could teach Roger Federer…hey Roger, it’s round and yellow and you hit over the net thingy.
You have very much misunderstood what I said. I made it clear in the video I absolutely teach technique, and I absolutely agree that technique is the means to expression. Technique is vital. My point is that I see so many learners have unhelpful mental states that prevent the acquisition of that technique. The way instruments are taught almost all the time is that the technique is taught, a few people with the right state of mind flourish... the rest just get very frustrated.
@@HeartofthePiano I very much do understand you but your video title is clearly aimed at people looking for short cuts and as such undermines your excellent point. I think the quality of the teacher is paramount and a good teacher will be able to combine technique and music. The best illustration is the move away from the Hanon “Virtuoso Pianist” exercises in favour of more musically rounded and grounded works.
@@mikehamnett9336 technique is only ever useful if the students don't quit lol. And the more advanced a pianist is, the more important technique is. To a beginner, technique doesn't mean anything. Do children learn to walk or speak at first by someone teaching them good techniques?!
What a stupid way of introducing your podcast....! yes I immediately moved on to some more uplifting advice....ie..after I watched Horowich the great pianist...a very humble man born in Kiev by the way.A Jew with impeccable finger technique....here you come telling "you wasting your time"..silly
💯%
Sorry, but you have no awareness of diversity and people with Aphantasia and/or Autism. I have no minds eye, or minds ear! So I ‘fail’ on your first assumption about Audiation. With my autism I am unable to ‘feel’ in the sense you talk about. I can agree about listening to lots of music, which I do encourage my students to do. Please research Aphantasia and Autism.
You have no idea what my awareness is on these subjects.
There just isn't scope to go into it in this video which is already long enough for most people it seems(!), and certainly not in a small comment here.
All I'll say is that the correlation between audiation and musicality is well established in the research, but that different strategies need to be used for people with anauralia which is I think what you're referring to.
As far as autism is concerned, there are many studies on the correlation with deficits in interoception, but also many studies demonstrating that practising and developing interoception can help improve many of the challenges associated with ASD and many neurodiverse issues, as well as mental health issues- but I'm sure you must be aware of this research since you are lecturing me about this? 🙂