This is a great question that i had for years: why pianists are moving so much? As me, i'm watching my recordings, and i was stay too quiet, and i didnt understand why, thank you for the tips!
This is great. So many people think only about individual notes, and consequently delegate all the work to the smallest ranges of movement (wrists, hands, fingers)... No wonder there are so many repetitive-motion injuries, considering how long these "serious" pianists practice! By letting the larger parts of the body (torso, shoulders, upper arms) handle as much movement as possible, the smaller ranges of movement aren't overworked and abused, and move only as much as necessary (often, surprisingly little!). This also lets us play as smoothly, naturally, and emotionally as possible, thinking in terms of phrases and feelings rather than notes (which don't mean much on their own, right?). If you don't already, you may also want to point out to your students that, rather than sitting flat on the bench, moving it back a bit and sitting on its forward edge makes it easier for the upper body to pivot, as you don't have to "fight" the bench's surface. Cheers!
"The path that happens" circa 8:15 and beyond....perhaps "awareness" is a useful word. Many piano students are not "aware" of their bodies, and so many think of fingers first instead of GRAVITY and natural movement. I liked the idea of Left foot back as though standing up., Fred Hersch says as much in his in own way in his Open Srudio course on jazz piano. I very much liked the pushing the fists into the piano to lift the legs up SO AS TO BECOME AWARE of the whole body! (And yeah, Brahms solo piano is fairly dense, eh? I only recall one thing in G minor, gotta check more stuff out.) Perhaps piano teachers should take dance classes as well as make their students take dance classes first, or Dalcroze-type things that emphasize whole-body movement. Piano playing ain't typing, that's fer sure!
Hello Steven, I added this to my practice , I found that breathing inhale and exhale goes well with it, Which I always forget , any tips for breathing in the future videos will be appreciated , note that I am a beginner . Thank you for sharing .
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Not many people go into that kind of things. Thanks again for great content Steven.
This is a great question that i had for years: why pianists are moving so much? As me, i'm watching my recordings, and i was stay too quiet, and i didnt understand why, thank you for the tips!
This is great. So many people think only about individual notes, and consequently delegate all the work to the smallest ranges of movement (wrists, hands, fingers)... No wonder there are so many repetitive-motion injuries, considering how long these "serious" pianists practice! By letting the larger parts of the body (torso, shoulders, upper arms) handle as much movement as possible, the smaller ranges of movement aren't overworked and abused, and move only as much as necessary (often, surprisingly little!). This also lets us play as smoothly, naturally, and emotionally as possible, thinking in terms of phrases and feelings rather than notes (which don't mean much on their own, right?). If you don't already, you may also want to point out to your students that, rather than sitting flat on the bench, moving it back a bit and sitting on its forward edge makes it easier for the upper body to pivot, as you don't have to "fight" the bench's surface. Cheers!
Well said. True that students do often need to be told to sit close to the edge, and it does allow the rest of the body more freedom to pivot.
This seems very Feldenkrais-y! Very nice!
This is so important,as incorrect body connection prevents smooth operation of other elements in playing!
thanks. When I need this video very much.
"The path that happens" circa 8:15 and beyond....perhaps "awareness" is a useful word. Many piano students are not "aware" of their bodies, and so many think of fingers first instead of GRAVITY and natural movement. I liked the idea of Left foot back as though standing up., Fred Hersch says as much in his in own way in his Open Srudio course on jazz piano. I very much liked the pushing the fists into the piano to lift the legs up SO AS TO BECOME AWARE of the whole body!
(And yeah, Brahms solo piano is fairly dense, eh? I only recall one thing in G minor, gotta check more stuff out.) Perhaps piano teachers should take dance classes as well as make their students take dance classes first, or Dalcroze-type things that emphasize whole-body movement. Piano playing ain't typing, that's fer sure!
Hi Steve I hope can see you again this coming season,
I hope so too!
Thank you so very much, I can feel the strength, I can hear the sound wave, will try it. Congratulate to you for sharing!!
The best piano technique posted by you, Thank you so much!
Wow, thank you!
Hello Steven, thanks from Brasil
My pleasure!
Love this Steve! Had no idea you were such a natural at this.
Thanks Tam!
Love Brahms. Op. 116 C Major.
How interesting! Thank you for the demonstration and guidance.
Good conversation. Thanks.
Thanks
Hello Steven, I added this to my practice , I found that breathing inhale and exhale goes well with it, Which I always forget , any tips for breathing in the future videos will be appreciated , note that I am a beginner . Thank you for sharing .
Brahms❤️
So if I do this some of the tension in my shoulder will disappear because I no longer use my shoulder to reach the keys.
Hi Kristina, there is some truth to that, which of course all depends on how well you are doing it.