Notes for myself: 1.Release fingers instead of lifting high 2.Avoid unnecessary pressure on the keys, especially when you play loud chords, don’t keep pressing once you’re down at the bottom of the keys, you need to just leave enough strength to keep the note down! 3.The main purpose of the wrist if flexibility, it’s not made to hold a tensed position for a long time. Don’t hold your wrist too high or too low. 4.Don’t hold up fingers that are not moving. You work with all 5 fingers, even if you only use one of them. 5.Don’t only use fingers, use the arm as well. Thank you Denis!
Thank you! I’m a software engineer who spends all day typing without any pain or discomfort…but as I’m getting more into piano and practicing more I’m struggling a bit with wrist and forearm issues….I’m sure it’s just poor technique on my part! This is helpful!
I just want to say, Maestro, thank you for taking the trouble to record your presentations with studio sound quality as a consideration. This helps tremendously with concentration and engagement with your presentations. Your presentations have helped breath new life into my practice. I feel fortunate to have come across your tutorials here on YT. I just wish I wasn't such a novice and could make more of your input. However, my wife, who is a Grade 8+ pianist, says your presentations are excellent - she's enjoying them too! I'm thinking about subscribing to your courses and tutorials as I feel for the first time in my learning journey, your teaching style gives me a greater level of confidence than elsewhere so far. Thank you.
I am more than happy that my content is inspiring- that’s the best I could dream of! Thanks for a warm feedback and wish you a smooth progression with piano playing!
This video is wonderful, thank you for posting! I played with bad technique for the first 3 years and experienced a lot of health problems because of this. It took months of physical therapy (and years of private lessons) to fix my hands/ bad techniques. These lessons are so very important for all pianist!!!
Your channel is amazing. I am an adult trying to get back into piano after many long breaks. I wish TH-cam was around when I was a kid taking piano lessons. My teachers never really taught much technique so I have a lot of bad habits!! My hands especially my 5th finger have also gotten weaker/floppier from not playing. Your videos are so insightful and explain movements so well.
i went from playing almost nothing in 10 years, other than very simple child stuff to actualy trying chopins balalde Nº1 , im over 1/3 of the piece right now since i do learn pretty fast, but i missed having propher piano movement lessons, this videos are the best, managing tension is extremely important and i keep finding very good tips
Excellent video! Luckily I was not victim of any of these pitfalls, but I think this is definitely a useful video particularly for beginner to intermediate level students. Efficient, ergonomic technique looks and feels incredibly effortless and beautiful.
I think that these basic principles apply even for advanced people. Currently I’m working on Etudes op 25 no 1,2 and 9 and op 10 no 12 without a teacher. Even though I have applied these principles for several years, going back to these has helped me to improve considerably these etudes. Even when you start studying a Chopin Etude, these principles allow you to realize how to solve some of the difficulties you will encounter that even some advanced piano players struggle to solve.
Thank you, Denis. I’m struggling with LH Arpeggios of the passage from Mozart K545. I will implement your advice👍 subscribed, and look forward to follow your posts!
#1 0:45 Lifting up the Fingers #2. 5:22 Unnecessary Pressure #3 7:27 Wrist Tension #4 10:51 Holding Tension in the Fingers #5 12:35 Not Using the Whole Arm as A Unit
I just discovered your channel, and this video was so helpful! I'm having that exact problem of my pinky lifting up when I'm not using it, and then it comes down straight when I play a note.
I LITTERALLY JUST LEARNED ITEM 1 YESTERDAY FROM AN OLD BOOK IN MY LIBRARY!! When I went to practice that evening, I played in this "new" way without lifting fingers and setting metronome to 40, and I frlt my arms feeling heavey. But there was no tension in the arms!! I look forward to developing thia.
thank you those ideas and instructions are very clear and i'm going to try and put them into action....i have a terrible habit of having my small finger held in extension when not playing with it and effectively 'floating' above the keyboard....i really wish i'd had much better attention to technical issues when i was younger and learning first time around....unlearning bad habits at 60 is not so easy this is amazing teaching !!!
Wow🤩 👍 Enjoy your video. First time I understand the importance of releasing fingers. I love that you teach viewers some exercises beside piano to strengthen fingers especially. Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏
@@DenZhdanovPianist Haha no just the perfect amount of discretion 😏😏 (Edit: The finger-focussed portion of this video is especially useful -- a topic sadly neglected in these days of "Don't play with the fingers, it's all arm weight, wrist undulation and rotation." Great stuff.)
Excellent tips Denis. Unfortunately I've spent years practicing the wrong ways with trial and error. As you may see on my channel :) I started late to piano with an average teacher for first few years. Obviously I didn't have any clue about piano playing techniques etc and was told to lift my fingers or shake my wrists etc None of this really helped me and over last few years I've watched a few videos like yours. They have improved my playing but very hard to get rid of the ingrained bad habits and I feel starting from scratch would take too long. I also don't have the time like I did before. I thought going from easier to harder pieces was the key to improvement but realized this was not the case and probably more concentration on easier pieces with regard to technique building would've been the answer? I read that Richter etc never had a teacher but I'm sure he may have had a general direction by a great teacher at one time unless it was totally natural. Unfortunately for most of us correct technique would be like finding a proverbial needle in a haystack Thanks very much for your informative videos
Richter had a father - a good pianist, who gave him an initial advice, and most probably explained basics of playing quite well. But it’s true that there are some rare people who are naturally better in their playing progress, either feeling the most ergonomic way intuitively, or having a specific physiology, or both. Rebuilding technique takes a lot of time, that’s true. Unfortunately there are no instant solutions, but a patient conscious work, preferably also avoiding stress like performances during this process, because with any amount of stress you will jump back to the older habits. I suggest you to always keep in mind a 3-S formula: Slowness-smoothness-speed. Start learning each piece slowly in order to coordinate motions properly and achieve maximum smoothness, tracking down all bad habits you might notice. Raise the speed very gradually and only to that extent where you’re able to preserve smoothness and avoid unnecessary tension.
@@DenZhdanovPianist yes that's sound advice and would be particularly pertinent to me as I do always try to get pieces up to speed as quickly as possible and thereby fumble on the difficult parts It brings to mind Aesops fable of the tortoise and the hare. Good groundwork and meticulous study will repay itself in the end. Much like the Bible verse a foolish man builds on sand instead of rock You can apply this to many things Unfortunately we don't always follow the advice in today's instant results world
I started seriously piano at my 20’s. My piano teacher only taught me through master classes and allowed me to study with his most advanced student. After 3 years, I realized I was doing several things wrong. It was a day after a masterclass. In that time I started to study Chopin’s Etude op 25 no 2 and I was struggling a lot to learn it. Then that night I sat on the piano and focused on doing what my piano teacher told me every week. I started with one finger. Finding a way to relax it and producing the sound that comes from doing it correctly, very slowly. I had to find the way to apply all the principles Denis talked about. Took me 15 minutes. Once I realized how to do it with one finger, I went to the others and took me less time and effort. Then, how to combine two, three, four and five. I tested how it felt in pieces I already knew, very slowly and suddenly, I improved my sound considerably on those pieces that night. I was extremely patient and guess what? The Etude was difficult but I didn’t struggle with it anymore. Took me 3 weeks to be able to play it in a slow tempo and without tripping or errors. I developed speed faster than before. Basically everything that Denis summed up pretty well what I had to do to correct my technique in those times.
Thank you very much. As I am getting older and my hands, after many decades of work and martial arts are not what the used to be, I look more for ways to be gentler on them and have bettery accuracy and precision. I appreciate your physiology based analysis, clarity and approach.
I would like to ask some very important questions sir. No.1:Does lifting weights/doing push ups on push up bars ruining my fingers? (I personally don't think so but I want to know your opinion) No.2:I punched walls barehanded for years and I just stopped a few months ago. Would it affect my fingers? 😢 I seem to be doing fine but I want to know your thoughts and what do you think of my situation? I'm currently building up my skills again because I've never got to when I was a gaming addict. 😅
I was making plenty of pushups and even goalkeeping when I was a kid/teen, it has not affected my piano technique, rather has helped me to strengthen fingers. However some say that developing stronger, bigger muscles of the arm might discriminate smaller hand muscles, but I have no scientific or personal experience proof of that. Often, an overuse fatigue comes gradually, and if you would be sensitive and informed enough, you may notice that you need to adjust your playing or give yourself more rest early enough, so it won’t turn into a great issue. It’s good that you have punched walls with your hands, not your head! But since this exciting activity is not part of my usual teaching or playing routine, I can’t answer this one!
@@DenZhdanovPianistThank you for explaining Maestro, now I have no worries of possibly breaking my fingers. Say though when did you start learning the piano? Do you practice everyday?
@@DenZhdanovPianist @Denis Zhdanov You've developed yours early sir you did not waste your potential unlike mine. 😥 I started playing the piano when I was 7 years old but never got to continue it after since I was really not interested before. But I'm slowly starting to practice everyday now. And btw congratulations to you and your wife hope you guys live a long and happy life.
@@DenZhdanovPianistAt first, I decided not to tell you that you might have misunderstood what I meant about wall punching...It's actually the opposite...I was supposed to not punch walls for it might break my fingers. But the damage has been done now. I still thank God till this day that he protected my hands from my hyper actions. 🗿
Dear Denis, Thank you for the great lesson. I am a keyboard player and I have been learning piano techniques for the past 4 years. My skills have improved a lot because of that, but now I am experiencing tension in my right hand when I play solo with mono sounds "keyboard sounds". This does not happen when I play the piano. This was not happening to me before I started learning piano techniques. Do you have any explanation for this? I would like to add that I am only experiencing tension in my right hand. My left hand does not have any tension problems Thank you,
If your other keyboard is too light you might unconsciously hold static tension in the hand which causes a quicker fatigue and pain. But I can’t just guess the reason because there are might be many, and most probably the root in your playing habits.
Great advice and I agree that the two opposing muscles of the hands shouldn't be employed too frequently in scale passages etc. I do see vids like kissin raising his fingers but probably more to do with articulation and finger preparedness for the slurs and general phrase he wants to play?
thanks for the tips! I noticed when I practiced when I got to a certain point in the piece my wrist started to hurt, I think the main problem was tension.
Thank you. This helped me to correct my “stray 5th finger problem” which I thought was a coordination issue. When I corrected the tension problem, my 5th finger remained in the correct position.
Hello, what I find difficult sometimes is to avoid tension in the fingers when the hand is opened and the fingers spread. I also noticed that tension can arise in one hand because the other one is playing something more difficult : like in the etude op10 n12, I had tension in the right hand even if it only played chords, because all the focus was on the left one.
Yes one should develop a certain independency between hands; first of all by practicing hands separately with a proper motion coordination, so you could play each hand without tension first. This is a good observation, thanks for bringing it up! Reg. an opened hand - of course stretch situations is a special topic, there might be a few reasons that could be limiting, it’s not smth I could guess.
Интересные видео. Спасибо. Разрешите спросить. При игре длинных арпеджио в очень быстром темпе 4-палец (иногда и 3-ий) мешает переносу руки, упираясь в ребро соседней (не нажатой) клавиши. Он не успевает подняться от клавиши до начала переноса руки. Посоветуйте, что делать. Спасибо ещё раз.
Сложно сказать не видя, возможно конкретная клавиатура еще располагает формой клавиш или материалом. В целом при игре арпеджио в быстром темпе позиции не соединяются физически - на эту тему на канале есть отдельное видео
Regarding rules 1 and 4, I notice that in fast playing, I feel more tension (particularly in my left hand) even when I try to focus on releasing and relaxing the finger immediately after the strike. What I suspect is that often such tension is simply the result of not being able to release fast enough, before the finger needs to strike again, and so it ends up in a constant state of tension. Fast passages require quick alternating between pressure and release. I also suspect some of this has to do with finger independence, because it’s harder or slower to release a finger when adjacent fingers are striking at the same time. I wonder what’s the best way to speed up the release, since simply telling myself to release/relax quicker doesn’t seem to work…
Yes that’s true. I’ve seen many times that my students can’t release the hand as fast as I can do. But I believe this is possible to train as well as finger strength over time.
When you increase speed you have to notice you requiere less effort of the fingers by using momentum of the movement. Also less weight of the finger is required. The necessary force you need to produce the sound of the key comes from mmomentum of chained actions, basically thinking of one motion instead of isolated actions, combined with the speed. Fingers must feel lighter, the impulse of releasing the key fast enough is what gives you light touch. It’s like scratching the surface of the key.
question... I have wrist and elbow pain and some neck and back pain. I have been playing since I was 3 and these popped up this year when I started playing 4 hours a day instead of an hour. I am working on some new pieces. I have been putting these things into practice but am still in pain. Should I completely heal before playing again? or can I change the way I play while healing?
If your condition is sharp (sharp pains, hands/arms are numb or tired even hours after playing), then I would suggest to make a decent break of 2-4 weeks, and find a great physical therapist + maybe a set of massages, of course after discussing that with a therapist. After a break, when sharp symptoms are gone, and after you'll improve hands health via physiotherapy/massages, you start playing again in small portions, but implementing healthier habits. Most people have to be very cautious and practice rather slower when rebuilding their technique. For this, I strongly suggest to find a teacher who specializes on an injury-preventive approach. TH-cam videos may be not as effective in this case, it's better if someone experienced watches your playing, and helps you to develop a safer approach.
Never mind, ANGRA often composed their music directly related to a classical piece. Their song lasting child is an adaptation of Mendelssohn's variations Serieuses op. 54.
Thanks Denis. Does this mean that exercises like the Hanon's are not as useful as some people tend to believe? Because Hanon designed his exercises to be played with mainly finger strength and movements. His approach to the trills is totally different from what you teach. I find that Hanon's exercises strengthen my fingers to a certain degree but don't really give me the ability to play a slur or a trill effectively in an actual piece.
Many musicians back then were not aware of physiology findings that we have nowadays, and were promoting playing with isolated fingers, that might be quite dangerous in a long term (watch my latest video about bad habits). But we can approach the same musical material differently. Hanon exercises are as good as anything else, but we won’t be too fanatic with exercises anyway, using them only as a stage of work, and as a perfect material for explaining universal principles of piano playing.
Дэнчик, благодарю! Очень информативное видео. Мне, как любителю, особенно подходит такой способ обучения, ибо всё самостоятельно и по собственному желанию изучаешь. Слышал, что если долго так неправильно заниматься, то можно вообще хроническую боль в руках заработать и уже не иметь возможности нормально играть без выполнения операции, вроде бы как. Вопрос: что движет этими особенными кадрами, которые годами страдают и ничего не пытаются изменить?
Отсутствие широко доступной информации и обращения внимания на подобные аспекты в сфере проф.муз.обучения. Это сейчас у всех есть ютьюб ( и то, большинство людей живет по принципу «пока жареный петух…», а из старшего поколения еще не все привыкли учиться в интернете), а еще 15 лет назад всё зависело от того, попался ли тебе сведущий в физиологии педагог, которых 1 на 100, или нет.
@@DenZhdanovPianist Истинно так! Благо, сейчас ситуация намного лучше, и можно самому узнать намного больше, чем от занятий с большинством учителей. Аналогичная ситуация, вероятно, и у всех других инструментов. Будучи трубачом, по имеющемуся опыту могу с уверенностью сказать, что с технологией игры у нас лажа полная, причём не только в Украине, порой доходящая до абсурда. Гонят на инструмент, на мундштук, на губы, зубы, генетику, магнитные бури в прошлый месяц... Ученики буквально не понимают, что и зачем они делают, в итоге меняя инструмент, либо вовсе бросая музыкальную деятельность. Потом же начинаются разглагольствования о том, что, мол, труба инструмент такой сложный и не интуитивный. С фортепиано, полагаю, то же самое, ибо сам долгое время считал, что он лишь для "избранных", кто чуть ли не с пелёнок занимается. Всё же интересно, как это можно терпеть, и потом ещё детям впаривать? Меня в музыкальной школе по предмету "фортепиано" тоже учили и пальцы поднимать, и аккорды держать постоянно... Естественно, руки потом начинали болеть, и вследствие забивал на занятия. Но, что интересно, у меня тогда сразу чутьё какое-то возникло, что что-то тут не так, и всё можно играть намного легче, однако не умея искать информацию, был вынужден шесть лет кое-как играть. Только ближе к выпуску в музыкальном коллежде начал понимать, что музыкальное искусство - это не дэдлифтинг, где надо терпеть и изо всех сил жать. Естественно, никого учить играть теперь так не намерен, но, видимо, кому-то три копейки дороже истины будет.
@@DenZhdanovPianist Денис прошу Вас делать русские субтитры под видео. Они иногда очень нужны!) А так всё очень хорошо, большое спасибо вам за полезную информацию! Я вот полтора года назад начал 1 этюд Шопена учить, не имея при этом техники и играя на фо-но от силы года 4, так у меня и по сей день правая рука болит(
@@RaptorT1Vесли появится функция с автоматическим переводом, конечно. На мануальный перевод и вбивание субтитров требовалось бы нелепое кол-во времени, учитывая ничтожный оборот от канала.
Hey Denis! My pinky tends to curl up whenever I play fairly fast descending 16th notes (think the ending of the first theme in the 1st mvt of the C major Beethoven sonata op 2 no3 or the 16th notes in the opening of the 4th mvt). Would you say this is harmful? I simply cannot imagine playing such close notes while not curling up the pinky, yet I see pianists like Michelangeli do it flawlessly
In most of cases this is a long-term habit which needs a long period of getting rid from it by practicing really slowly and supporting the fingers which work. Concentrate on a sensation of standing, leaning towards the bed of the key when playing fingers 3-4, and a sensation of a complete release in the 5th finger. It takes time to relearn, and needs a lot of patience, but it’s a great skill to master, because it will free up a lot of physical resources in the hand. It doesn’t mean that by having tension in the pinky you will inevitably end up with hand issues, but it slightly raises the chances.
@@DenZhdanovPianist Thanks for the answer. I figured it would not be a quick fix. Thing is, it doesn't feel tense like other techniques which means I literally have to record my hand from the side whenever I am playing lol. I'll try and focus on standing on the keys more though, thanks!
Thanks, Denis! Actually, I've been taught to lift fingers only as a temporary device, when you learn a piece and you need extra articulation. But you definitely don't do it later on and while performing. I still use it when i need to work on a passage that lost clarity, to get it back, but again only temporarily while practicing. Great overview!
Many aspects are right. But also some are quite wrong unfortunately, like "4th finger with impulse from the elbow" in scales. That will never work in tempo. (Like sudden steering on the interstate...😮). Also there are scientific studies that show, flexibility and speed depend on antagonist's ratio, not only on flexor's use. So, it is much more complex than depicted. Slow practise with high fingers might be very helpful! The overall effects of those videos then should be no more than a certain "online placebo-effect". (Please do not pretend you're a physician if you're not.) - Concluding: Dear piano-lovers, teachers and everyone else still suffering under the dark years... Please go out there and seek for piano teachers in the real world! Denis seems to be a good one, despite some imprecise wordings in this very video. TH-cam can't substitute music lessons!
Motions in the keyboard for the 4th finger work indeed in specific situations. High finger practicing may work for some, but will kill others. TH-cam lessons will not substitute real life lessons indeed, and yet it’s better than nothing for piano learners.
Sorry, but no one will be killed, that's... I have no words! Just tried to keep my criticism reasonable and positive after all, because I understand the motivation to make these videos quite well. But you should keep your statements differentiated and based on actual scientific insight. Please! E.g. explaining the special anatomical issues of the 4th finger (extensor tendons, innervation...). False implications can lead even more likely to injuries especially when beginners have no real supervision in what they are doing. So, I disagree with the latter argument.
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Such an underrated channel! This gentleman is a goldmine of knowledge for piano players hope you get more and more success on this channel!
Thanks for commenting, each such interaction improves the channel’s growth!
Notes for myself:
1.Release fingers instead of lifting high
2.Avoid unnecessary pressure on the keys, especially when you play loud chords, don’t keep pressing once you’re down at the bottom of the keys, you need to just leave enough strength to keep the note down!
3.The main purpose of the wrist if flexibility, it’s not made to hold a tensed position for a long time. Don’t hold your wrist too high or too low.
4.Don’t hold up fingers that are not moving. You work with all 5 fingers, even if you only use one of them.
5.Don’t only use fingers, use the arm as well.
Thank you Denis!
Thank you! I’m a software engineer who spends all day typing without any pain or discomfort…but as I’m getting more into piano and practicing more I’m struggling a bit with wrist and forearm issues….I’m sure it’s just poor technique on my part! This is helpful!
I just want to say, Maestro, thank you for taking the trouble to record your presentations with studio sound quality as a consideration. This helps tremendously with concentration and engagement with your presentations.
Your presentations have helped breath new life into my practice. I feel fortunate to have come across your tutorials here on YT. I just wish I wasn't such a novice and could make more of your input. However, my wife, who is a Grade 8+ pianist, says your presentations are excellent - she's enjoying them too!
I'm thinking about subscribing to your courses and tutorials as I feel for the first time in my learning journey, your teaching style gives me a greater level of confidence than elsewhere so far.
Thank you.
I am more than happy that my content is inspiring- that’s the best I could dream of! Thanks for a warm feedback and wish you a smooth progression with piano playing!
Hurry up with those Brahms exercises! I can’t wait.
Me too !!!.....
This video is wonderful, thank you for posting! I played with bad technique for the first 3 years and experienced a lot of health problems because of this. It took months of physical therapy (and years of private lessons) to fix my hands/ bad techniques. These lessons are so very important for all pianist!!!
You play everything so wonderfully!! You are not only good teacher but also a wonderful virtuose!!!
Your channel is amazing. I am an adult trying to get back into piano after many long breaks. I wish TH-cam was around when I was a kid taking piano lessons. My teachers never really taught much technique so I have a lot of bad habits!! My hands especially my 5th finger have also gotten weaker/floppier from not playing. Your videos are so insightful and explain movements so well.
I'm so glad you made this video, I always see lots of pianists make these mistakes, its nice you made a video to highlight these
i went from playing almost nothing in 10 years, other than very simple child stuff to actualy trying chopins balalde Nº1 , im over 1/3 of the piece right now since i do learn pretty fast, but i missed having propher piano movement lessons, this videos are the best, managing tension is extremely important and i keep finding very good tips
Good luck with the piece and thanks for commenting!🙏
Very generous, insightful, and true concepts you share. They certainly make a great difference in playing the piano. All the best!
Excellent video! Luckily I was not victim of any of these pitfalls, but I think this is definitely a useful video particularly for beginner to intermediate level students. Efficient, ergonomic technique looks and feels incredibly effortless and beautiful.
I think that these basic principles apply even for advanced people.
Currently I’m working on Etudes op 25 no 1,2 and 9 and op 10 no 12 without a teacher. Even though I have applied these principles for several years, going back to these has helped me to improve considerably these etudes. Even when you start studying a Chopin Etude, these principles allow you to realize how to solve some of the difficulties you will encounter that even some advanced piano players struggle to solve.
An amazing video 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you, Denis. I’m struggling with LH Arpeggios of the passage from Mozart K545. I will implement your advice👍 subscribed, and look forward to follow your posts!
Excellent video you deserve more views!
Merci for this.
Thank you sooooo much!!
#1 0:45 Lifting up the Fingers
#2. 5:22 Unnecessary Pressure
#3 7:27 Wrist Tension
#4 10:51 Holding Tension in the Fingers
#5 12:35 Not Using the Whole Arm as A Unit
I like very much your videos and explanations, thank you!
Terrific content, Denis! Clearly explained and demonstrated. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
this is an excellent video
I just discovered your channel, and this video was so helpful! I'm having that exact problem of my pinky lifting up when I'm not using it, and then it comes down straight when I play a note.
I LITTERALLY JUST LEARNED ITEM 1 YESTERDAY FROM AN OLD BOOK IN MY LIBRARY!! When I went to practice that evening, I played in this "new" way without lifting fingers and setting metronome to 40, and I frlt my arms feeling heavey. But there was no tension in the arms!!
I look forward to developing thia.
So important and helpful! I wish I knew these things back then when I started to learn piano as a kid!
Just found you on TH-cam...Absolutely LOVE the information you are sharing!! I have shared your videos with my piano friends & teacher. THANK YOU!❤
Thank you! Welcome aboard!
thank you those ideas and instructions are very clear and i'm going to try and put them into action....i have a terrible habit of having my small finger held in extension when not playing with it and effectively 'floating' above the keyboard....i really wish i'd had much better attention to technical issues when i was younger and learning first time around....unlearning bad habits at 60 is not so easy
this is amazing teaching !!!
You can do it! Keep it up!
Wow🤩 👍
Enjoy your video. First time I understand the importance of releasing fingers. I love that you teach viewers some exercises beside piano to strengthen fingers especially.
Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏
Wow, super tipps, listening from vienna!
I like your cannel much!
Great video
Hello Denis, Could you make video on about Chopin Op 10!Complete etudes?
btw your video on chord voicing is really useful, i'm playing the chopping prelude no.9 and i'm struggling to voice the top note effectively
Yes Denis more lowkey shade pls
If you meant that I use passive aggression, it’s wrong, my aggression is always active🤺😛
@@DenZhdanovPianist Haha no just the perfect amount of discretion 😏😏 (Edit: The finger-focussed portion of this video is especially useful -- a topic sadly neglected in these days of "Don't play with the fingers, it's all arm weight, wrist undulation and rotation." Great stuff.)
You are such an excellent teacher and your channel is like gold!
Wow, thank you!🥰
love this! truly great! thank you so much!
Fantastic videos please more similar to this
Excellent tips Denis. Unfortunately I've spent years practicing the wrong ways with trial and error. As you may see on my channel :)
I started late to piano with an average teacher for first few years. Obviously I didn't have any clue about piano playing techniques etc and was told to lift my fingers or shake my wrists etc
None of this really helped me and over last few years I've watched a few videos like yours. They have improved my playing but very hard to get rid of the ingrained bad habits and I feel starting from scratch would take too long. I also don't have the time like I did before. I thought going from easier to harder pieces was the key to improvement but realized this was not the case and probably more concentration on easier pieces with regard to technique building would've been the answer?
I read that Richter etc never had a teacher but I'm sure he may have had a general direction by a great teacher at one time unless it was totally natural. Unfortunately for most of us correct technique would be like finding a proverbial needle in a haystack
Thanks very much for your informative videos
Richter had a father - a good pianist, who gave him an initial advice, and most probably explained basics of playing quite well. But it’s true that there are some rare people who are naturally better in their playing progress, either feeling the most ergonomic way intuitively, or having a specific physiology, or both.
Rebuilding technique takes a lot of time, that’s true. Unfortunately there are no instant solutions, but a patient conscious work, preferably also avoiding stress like performances during this process, because with any amount of stress you will jump back to the older habits.
I suggest you to always keep in mind a 3-S formula:
Slowness-smoothness-speed. Start learning each piece slowly in order to coordinate motions properly and achieve maximum smoothness, tracking down all bad habits you might notice. Raise the speed very gradually and only to that extent where you’re able to preserve smoothness and avoid unnecessary tension.
@@DenZhdanovPianist yes that's sound advice and would be particularly pertinent to me as I do always try to get pieces up to speed as quickly as possible and thereby fumble on the difficult parts
It brings to mind Aesops fable of the tortoise and the hare. Good groundwork and meticulous study will repay itself in the end. Much like the Bible verse a foolish man builds on sand instead of rock
You can apply this to many things
Unfortunately we don't always follow the advice in today's instant results world
I started seriously piano at my 20’s. My piano teacher only taught me through master classes and allowed me to study with his most advanced student. After 3 years, I realized I was doing several things wrong. It was a day after a masterclass. In that time I started to study Chopin’s Etude op 25 no 2 and I was struggling a lot to learn it. Then that night I sat on the piano and focused on doing what my piano teacher told me every week. I started with one finger. Finding a way to relax it and producing the sound that comes from doing it correctly, very slowly. I had to find the way to apply all the principles Denis talked about. Took me 15 minutes. Once I realized how to do it with one finger, I went to the others and took me less time and effort. Then, how to combine two, three, four and five. I tested how it felt in pieces I already knew, very slowly and suddenly, I improved my sound considerably on those pieces that night.
I was extremely patient and guess what? The Etude was difficult but I didn’t struggle with it anymore. Took me 3 weeks to be able to play it in a slow tempo and without tripping or errors. I developed speed faster than before.
Basically everything that Denis summed up pretty well what I had to do to correct my technique in those times.
Thank you. so useful content❤
Excellent video, thank you!
Great lesson. Thank you
Thank you very much. As I am getting older and my hands, after many decades of work and martial arts are not what the used to be, I look more for ways to be gentler on them and have bettery accuracy and precision. I appreciate your physiology based analysis, clarity and approach.
Happy to help, thanks for commenting!
I would like to ask some very important questions sir.
No.1:Does lifting weights/doing push ups on push up bars ruining my fingers? (I personally don't think so but I want to know your opinion)
No.2:I punched walls barehanded for years and I just stopped a few months ago. Would it affect my fingers? 😢
I seem to be doing fine but I want to know your thoughts and what do you think of my situation?
I'm currently building up my skills again because I've never got to when I was a gaming addict. 😅
I was making plenty of pushups and even goalkeeping when I was a kid/teen, it has not affected my piano technique, rather has helped me to strengthen fingers. However some say that developing stronger, bigger muscles of the arm might discriminate smaller hand muscles, but I have no scientific or personal experience proof of that.
Often, an overuse fatigue comes gradually, and if you would be sensitive and informed enough, you may notice that you need to adjust your playing or give yourself more rest early enough, so it won’t turn into a great issue.
It’s good that you have punched walls with your hands, not your head! But since this exciting activity is not part of my usual teaching or playing routine, I can’t answer this one!
@@DenZhdanovPianistThank you for explaining Maestro, now I have no worries of possibly breaking my fingers.
Say though when did you start learning the piano? Do you practice everyday?
8y.o.
Yes daily
@@DenZhdanovPianist @Denis Zhdanov You've developed yours early sir you did not waste your potential unlike mine. 😥
I started playing the piano when I was 7 years old but never got to continue it after since I was really not interested before.
But I'm slowly starting to practice everyday now. And btw congratulations to you and your wife hope you guys live a long and happy life.
@@DenZhdanovPianistAt first, I decided not to tell you that you might have misunderstood what I meant about wall punching...It's actually the opposite...I was supposed to not punch walls for it might break my fingers. But the damage has been done now. I still thank God till this day that he protected my hands from my hyper actions. 🗿
Dear Denis, Thank you for the great lesson. I am a keyboard player and I have been learning piano techniques for the past 4 years. My skills have improved a lot because of that, but now I am experiencing tension in my right hand when I play solo with mono sounds "keyboard sounds". This does not happen when I play the piano.
This was not happening to me before I started learning piano techniques. Do you have any explanation for this?
I would like to add that I am only experiencing tension in my right hand. My left hand does not have any tension problems
Thank you,
If your other keyboard is too light you might unconsciously hold static tension in the hand which causes a quicker fatigue and pain. But I can’t just guess the reason because there are might be many, and most probably the root in your playing habits.
Very helpful...thanks Denis . From Marta African British Leeds UK
Thanks a lot, very helpfull!
This is gold
Super helpful, thank you!
awesome video and back catalogue of content. instant subscription.
Great advice and I agree that the two opposing muscles of the hands shouldn't be employed too frequently in scale passages etc. I do see vids like kissin raising his fingers but probably more to do with articulation and finger preparedness for the slurs and general phrase he wants to play?
I guess he has an incredibly resilient genetics. Most of people would already end up with catastrophic hand issues, playing like that for decades.
You should see Yundi Li's playing
Your video is absolutely helpful!!! Very clear concept and informative!!! Thanks a million. 🙏🙏🙏
Great advice. Thanks.
thanks for the tips! I noticed when I practiced when I got to a certain point in the piece my wrist started to hurt, I think the main problem was tension.
świetnie prowadzony wykład.. Thaks a lot
Thank you. This helped me to correct my “stray 5th finger problem” which I thought was a coordination issue. When I corrected the tension problem, my 5th finger remained in the correct position.
Hello,
what I find difficult sometimes is to avoid tension in the fingers when the hand is opened and the fingers spread.
I also noticed that tension can arise in one hand because the other one is playing something more difficult : like in the etude op10 n12, I had tension in the right hand even if it only played chords, because all the focus was on the left one.
Yes one should develop a certain independency between hands; first of all by practicing hands separately with a proper motion coordination, so you could play each hand without tension first. This is a good observation, thanks for bringing it up!
Reg. an opened hand - of course stretch situations is a special topic, there might be a few reasons that could be limiting, it’s not smth I could guess.
Thanks!
Thank you so much!!!💙🔥
Интересные видео. Спасибо. Разрешите спросить. При игре длинных арпеджио в очень быстром темпе 4-палец (иногда и 3-ий) мешает переносу руки, упираясь в ребро соседней (не нажатой) клавиши. Он не успевает подняться от клавиши до начала переноса руки. Посоветуйте, что делать. Спасибо ещё раз.
Сложно сказать не видя, возможно конкретная клавиатура еще располагает формой клавиш или материалом. В целом при игре арпеджио в быстром темпе позиции не соединяются физически - на эту тему на канале есть отдельное видео
Regarding rules 1 and 4, I notice that in fast playing, I feel more tension (particularly in my left hand) even when I try to focus on releasing and relaxing the finger immediately after the strike. What I suspect is that often such tension is simply the result of not being able to release fast enough, before the finger needs to strike again, and so it ends up in a constant state of tension. Fast passages require quick alternating between pressure and release. I also suspect some of this has to do with finger independence, because it’s harder or slower to release a finger when adjacent fingers are striking at the same time. I wonder what’s the best way to speed up the release, since simply telling myself to release/relax quicker doesn’t seem to work…
Yes that’s true. I’ve seen many times that my students can’t release the hand as fast as I can do. But I believe this is possible to train as well as finger strength over time.
When you increase speed you have to notice you requiere less effort of the fingers by using momentum of the movement. Also less weight of the finger is required. The necessary force you need to produce the sound of the key comes from mmomentum of chained actions, basically thinking of one motion instead of isolated actions, combined with the speed. Fingers must feel lighter, the impulse of releasing the key fast enough is what gives you light touch. It’s like scratching the surface of the key.
question... I have wrist and elbow pain and some neck and back pain. I have been playing since I was 3 and these popped up this year when I started playing 4 hours a day instead of an hour. I am working on some new pieces. I have been putting these things into practice but am still in pain. Should I completely heal before playing again? or can I change the way I play while healing?
If your condition is sharp (sharp pains, hands/arms are numb or tired even hours after playing), then I would suggest to make a decent break of 2-4 weeks, and find a great physical therapist + maybe a set of massages, of course after discussing that with a therapist.
After a break, when sharp symptoms are gone, and after you'll improve hands health via physiotherapy/massages, you start playing again in small portions, but implementing healthier habits. Most people have to be very cautious and practice rather slower when rebuilding their technique. For this, I strongly suggest to find a teacher who specializes on an injury-preventive approach. TH-cam videos may be not as effective in this case, it's better if someone experienced watches your playing, and helps you to develop a safer approach.
That phrase you are playing, is that from an ANGRA song? Or does that original from somewhere else?
Never mind, ANGRA often composed their music directly related to a classical piece. Their song lasting child is an adaptation of Mendelssohn's variations Serieuses op. 54.
Thanks Denis. Does this mean that exercises like the Hanon's are not as useful as some people tend to believe? Because Hanon designed his exercises to be played with mainly finger strength and movements. His approach to the trills is totally different from what you teach. I find that Hanon's exercises strengthen my fingers to a certain degree but don't really give me the ability to play a slur or a trill effectively in an actual piece.
Many musicians back then were not aware of physiology findings that we have nowadays, and were promoting playing with isolated fingers, that might be quite dangerous in a long term (watch my latest video about bad habits).
But we can approach the same musical material differently. Hanon exercises are as good as anything else, but we won’t be too fanatic with exercises anyway, using them only as a stage of work, and as a perfect material for explaining universal principles of piano playing.
Great video 🔥 what is the progression you played @ 7:00
Some improvisation I think
Sounds like Chopin’s prelude op. 28 no. 20
Your TH-cam thumbnails have been so "on point" lately. 😆 P.S. - I haven't watched yet, will do so leter today!
Oh wait for me getting to lower back problems, that will be a king among thumbs😉
If i cpuld ve learn from you from childhood i probably won the chopin competition in poland 😅 best maestro sir
That thumbnail is top tier 😂
Could you analyze the technique of Artur Rubinstein?
Great suggestion, tnx
@@DenZhdanovPianist Thanks for reply. He sits far away from piano and high. Different from others. Look effortless.
Дэнчик, благодарю! Очень информативное видео. Мне, как любителю, особенно подходит такой способ обучения, ибо всё самостоятельно и по собственному желанию изучаешь. Слышал, что если долго так неправильно заниматься, то можно вообще хроническую боль в руках заработать и уже не иметь возможности нормально играть без выполнения операции, вроде бы как. Вопрос: что движет этими особенными кадрами, которые годами страдают и ничего не пытаются изменить?
Отсутствие широко доступной информации и обращения внимания на подобные аспекты в сфере проф.муз.обучения. Это сейчас у всех есть ютьюб ( и то, большинство людей живет по принципу «пока жареный петух…», а из старшего поколения еще не все привыкли учиться в интернете), а еще 15 лет назад всё зависело от того, попался ли тебе сведущий в физиологии педагог, которых 1 на 100, или нет.
@@DenZhdanovPianist Истинно так!
Благо, сейчас ситуация намного лучше, и можно самому узнать намного больше, чем от занятий с большинством учителей. Аналогичная ситуация, вероятно, и у всех других инструментов. Будучи трубачом, по имеющемуся опыту могу с уверенностью сказать, что с технологией игры у нас лажа полная, причём не только в Украине, порой доходящая до абсурда. Гонят на инструмент, на мундштук, на губы, зубы, генетику, магнитные бури в прошлый месяц... Ученики буквально не понимают, что и зачем они делают, в итоге меняя инструмент, либо вовсе бросая музыкальную деятельность. Потом же начинаются разглагольствования о том, что, мол, труба инструмент такой сложный и не интуитивный. С фортепиано, полагаю, то же самое, ибо сам долгое время считал, что он лишь для "избранных", кто чуть ли не с пелёнок занимается.
Всё же интересно, как это можно терпеть, и потом ещё детям впаривать? Меня в музыкальной школе по предмету "фортепиано" тоже учили и пальцы поднимать, и аккорды держать постоянно... Естественно, руки потом начинали болеть, и вследствие забивал на занятия. Но, что интересно, у меня тогда сразу чутьё какое-то возникло, что что-то тут не так, и всё можно играть намного легче, однако не умея искать информацию, был вынужден шесть лет кое-как играть. Только ближе к выпуску в музыкальном коллежде начал понимать, что музыкальное искусство - это не дэдлифтинг, где надо терпеть и изо всех сил жать. Естественно, никого учить играть теперь так не намерен, но, видимо, кому-то три копейки дороже истины будет.
@@DenZhdanovPianist Денис прошу Вас делать русские субтитры под видео. Они иногда очень нужны!)
А так всё очень хорошо, большое спасибо вам за полезную информацию!
Я вот полтора года назад начал 1 этюд Шопена учить, не имея при этом техники и играя на фо-но от силы года 4, так у меня и по сей день правая рука болит(
@@RaptorT1Vесли появится функция с автоматическим переводом, конечно. На мануальный перевод и вбивание субтитров требовалось бы нелепое кол-во времени, учитывая ничтожный оборот от канала.
music at 5:29?
nice video!
Thanks!
Chopin sonata op.58 3rd mov
Hey Denis! My pinky tends to curl up whenever I play fairly fast descending 16th notes (think the ending of the first theme in the 1st mvt of the C major Beethoven sonata op 2 no3 or the 16th notes in the opening of the 4th mvt). Would you say this is harmful? I simply cannot imagine playing such close notes while not curling up the pinky, yet I see pianists like Michelangeli do it flawlessly
In most of cases this is a long-term habit which needs a long period of getting rid from it by practicing really slowly and supporting the fingers which work. Concentrate on a sensation of standing, leaning towards the bed of the key when playing fingers 3-4, and a sensation of a complete release in the 5th finger. It takes time to relearn, and needs a lot of patience, but it’s a great skill to master, because it will free up a lot of physical resources in the hand. It doesn’t mean that by having tension in the pinky you will inevitably end up with hand issues, but it slightly raises the chances.
@@DenZhdanovPianist Thanks for the answer. I figured it would not be a quick fix. Thing is, it doesn't feel tense like other techniques which means I literally have to record my hand from the side whenever I am playing lol. I'll try and focus on standing on the keys more though, thanks!
Also depends on the piano. Some have hard to press keys while others are soft to the touch.
When I learnt Chopin Opus 10 - 4&5, I discovered this the had way because it was had going fast lifting the fingers.😂😂😂. Somehow, I adjusted.
Do you still play soccer recreationally sometimes?
No🥺
Thank you so much, i 76yo I need that as a biginner, to avoid adults arthritis Lol
Also when I starts practicing I get some pain in my hands why
Thanks, Denis! Actually, I've been taught to lift fingers only as a temporary device, when you learn a piece and you need extra articulation. But you definitely don't do it later on and while performing. I still use it when i need to work on a passage that lost clarity, to get it back, but again only temporarily while practicing.
Great overview!
💗💗💗
11.14‘ he tells thé contrary relativ to Argerich playing in another vidéo about her technique
Thank you Denis, I do have problem not lifting 4th and 5th fingers, I will follow your advice, superb teaching .
Happy to help!
Not me, playing piano for 201+ years, checking after every item, to see if I make any of these mistakes 😅
Many aspects are right. But also some are quite wrong unfortunately, like "4th finger with impulse from the elbow" in scales. That will never work in tempo. (Like sudden steering on the interstate...😮).
Also there are scientific studies that show, flexibility and speed depend on antagonist's ratio, not only on flexor's use. So, it is much more complex than depicted. Slow practise with high fingers might be very helpful!
The overall effects of those videos then should be no more than a certain "online placebo-effect". (Please do not pretend you're a physician if you're not.)
-
Concluding: Dear piano-lovers, teachers and everyone else still suffering under the dark years... Please go out there and seek for piano teachers in the real world! Denis seems to be a good one, despite some imprecise wordings in this very video.
TH-cam can't substitute music lessons!
Motions in the keyboard for the 4th finger work indeed in specific situations. High finger practicing may work for some, but will kill others. TH-cam lessons will not substitute real life lessons indeed, and yet it’s better than nothing for piano learners.
Sorry, but no one will be killed, that's... I have no words!
Just tried to keep my criticism reasonable and positive after all, because I understand the motivation to make these videos quite well.
But you should keep your statements differentiated and based on actual scientific insight. Please!
E.g. explaining the special anatomical issues of the 4th finger (extensor tendons, innervation...).
False implications can lead even more likely to injuries especially when beginners have no real supervision in what they are doing. So, I disagree with the latter argument.
99% blabla 1% piano. -1
Yes monkey-style is not my thing. I am interested in people who want to understand what they are doing and why.
✌️🫶👋
@@DenZhdanovPianist blabla bla
Thanks for promoting my channel!👍
@@DenZhdanovPianist14:52
A bit too much talking..not necessary .. get to the point
Please define too much
Is thumbs up lifting fingers ?? 🤣🤣
👍😂
Thanks!
Thank you so much!😊