Every aspect of this video is completely brilliant -there are many excellent youtube tutorials on this piece but yours is quite exceptional . I wish you had been my piano teacher when I was a child . thank you so much .
Illinka is a very good piano and music teacher. I like a lot how she explains everything. She tells you everything. The sound is of the utmost importance. I have never had so many important instructions. I will be so happy to progress. Thank you so much Illinka.
I am so impressed with your explanation of a singing tone, weight and relaxation. I’ve studied for many years and have had excellent teachers, but these concepts from the Russian technique perspective are new to me and I am finding it incredibly helpful. I’ve been playing this posthumous nocturne for years and am “redoing” my approach to it. My teacher was saying many of the same things, but your description of the weight transfer, deep beautiful sound and relaxation in the releases make so much sense to me. It really transforms the sound! Wow. And I LOVE all the detail you include. Many, many thanks.
You are simply the BEST piano teacher I've ever seen in my 32 years old life. The detail, sensitivity and explanation whiles the tutorial goes trough it's just untag-able. And of course the SOUND QUALITY you produce is just beautiful and brilliant! Looking forward to start your course. Greetings from Spain 🇪🇸
I felt your tutorial was wordy in the beginning as well. But gradually grew to love your beautiful narrating of the story of the song. For people invested, having this story would help more than most simple note-copying TH-cam tutorials.
Thank you, Minh! You know, for a long time I used to get very surprised by such comments. I could never understand why people complain about quality and depth (in a FREE tutorial!). In the real world, in professional Conservatories, you need to pay many thousands of dollars for this type of training. Now I finally realize that those who think I share 'too much' are not interested in learning how to play well - they are simply looking for 'note-typing' tutorials (as you mentioned). In other words, they are amateurs looking for a bit of fun. Nothing wrong with that - but, of course, this is not the purpose of my channel. Also, the way I teach a piece is not just about the 'story'. I share the entire professional-level process of 'dissecting' and mastering a piece (which includes analysis, dramaturgy, the entire range of expressive effects, technique, artistry etc.). Again, this is not for everyone. If only people had the basic skill of refraining from sharing uninformed opinions (and simply moving on) - this would save all of us a lot of time.
i have always struggled with this piece, because it is at the limits of my ability. thankyou for you meticulously detailed and very clear instructions, you really demonstrate an in depth understanding and flawless demonstration of both emotional content and technical application, showing me things that i would never have seen or heard myself. best teacher ever.
I am so happy to have discovered you on TH-cam. You are a woman who has completely mastered her craft, both in performance and in education. It is astounding to watch you dissect each detail of your playing, as you are able to demonstrate how purposeful each technique is. In my first video, I played the Fantaisie Impromptu, and I am looking to record this nocturne next. I will definitely be taking tips from your tutorial, so thank you so much for sharing your expertise. You play with both precision and grace, a balance I am still trying to achieve.
Dear Ilinca, I found your amazing piano tutorials a few days ago on youtube. Especially this video provides a really well-structured and detailled analysis full of good examples for practicing and learning for advancing playing the piano. Thank you for providing it on youtube!
Your lessons are changing a lot the way i live with my piano and music, always for good indeed. I really appreciate the wisdom you share, really thank you so much!
Have just learnt this piece. Am now going to start practising again paying special attention to everything you have taught me in this wonderful and detailed tutorial. Thank you
Dear Illinka, Thanks a million for taking a look and for all your truly valuable comments and advice!!. And for your words of praise, that encourage me, indeed. Your videos are a real treasure, and I have watched them many times!! For sure, I'll into account your words, to improve my performances. You are truly accomplished as a teacher, and a charming person!! Thanks again, Illinka!
Ilinica, you are an angel! I am studying this piece and your tutorial came at the perfect time. Thank you for the many camera angles and thank you very much for your generosity!
This teacher is excellent. and she is very technical and she also explained the very tiny details. This tutorial is good for serious students but too complicated for the average students. But if i have to choose, i will choose her as my teacher in a heartbeat because i am serious to learn how to play.
Thank you very much, Simple Traveler! :) Indeed, in my tutorials I share professional-level information - and they are not addressed to students that do not wish to study piano very seriously.
Thank you for this wonderful lesson - your approach is so very refreshing and easy to follow. Wonderful teaching of philosophy along with technical and expressiveness demonstrations. Very ergonomic and holistic approach to practicing properly. I so very much appreciate this.
I've been self-learning piano for about 4 years, and oh god i've never seen such a technically/musically detailed tutorial on youtube, teaching how to play "music" with such expression not just "notes", such a great tutorial and really helped me get motivated and go back to my piano and practice this piece, Thank you for this great video and other videos, even though i'm a bit too late, years after, but i'm so thankful that i eventually found your channel.
Wow! This is a very very great tutorial. I really love it. It helps me so much in practicing my Grade 7 2017-2018 exam pieces. Now, still practicing the introduction, and RH and LH separately.. Thanks so much Ilinca, I learned many new skills and perspective about piano playing with your piano tutorials. Your piano skills are extremely incredible.. Fantastic.. :)))))))))))
Its amazing how you guide us through the piece and how you learn to appreciate the piece even which brings my own playing to a much higher level. THANKS!!
Thank you so very much Mam for taking your time to do this tutorial. I heard this piece being played and I went to TH-cam to see if anyone has possibly posted a tutorial, and Wow!!, this is great! You touched it all, very detailed and informative.
I am practicing this piece and this video is pure gold. Not only for this piece but for playing in general also. Thank you so much for sharing this and putting so much work in it for explaining it so well!
Thank you, Henry! The 'art and passion' are not subjective and just personality-driven LOL. It's all part of how we teach and approach music in the Russian system. Any technical aspect is completely pointless if if doesn't have meaning behind it, if it is not derived from what we wish to communicate. This is actually one of the main secrets behind the amazing playing of great pianists :).
Ilinca, thank you so much! I am playing for 4 month now, and I leaned this Nocturne. Your tutorial helped me on the desending scale. My piano teacher is really proud of me and I pay a lot of attention on the emotional side of the piece. I enjoyed your tutorial, thank you!
You're very welcome, Alexis! I'm really happy that you enjoyed this tutorial - and that it helped you to get a deeper insight into the expressive side of this piece :). By the way, you surely meant that you're playing piano for 4 YEARS - not 4 months! If you can play this Nocturne after only 4 months of practice, then you have miraculous skills and a super-human learning speed! :))) Professional students usually play music of this complexity after at least 6 years of serious practice :)))).
Thank you for your answer and your positive comments! It means a lot to me so thank you. I really ment 4 months and not years, I can't read the sheet music so I had to memorise the whole Nocturne by heart, and it is actually helps a lot to focus on the emotional side of the piece (I also listen to a lot of recording so it helps to have an idea of how I should play emotionally). I found the fingering myself, and I have big hand so I don't have difficulties on the overall technique, but I had troubles on the fast parts at the end :) I have a piano teacher for 1 month now and she helped me on the correct finger positioning (all sort of beginner stuff), and also how to play the fast parts smoothly. I don't think I have superhuman piano skills or memorising! But I truely love the instrument and I care a lot about the emotional side of the piece :)
Oh, I see :). In this case, my main recommendation is to learn musical notation! Our art is incredibly beautiful and complex, and it's impossible to explore it fully without knowing how to read music (not to mention that by choosing to ignore this important element of piano playing, you'll also miss out on important expressive effects, you will not be able to develop your theoretical/analytical skills - and this list can go on and on). Find out more by reading my answer to question No. 18 from our FAQs at PianoCareerAcademy.com (where I explain why it is so important to learn musical notation) - and you can also take a look at question No. 34 (pay special attention to the part where I explain what 'expression' is, and how it should not be confused with 'emotion'). Good luck! ;)
I am currently learning with my teacher the musical notation, I really want to be able to read sheet music (I struggle a little bit but I improve everyday. I agree with you, it is important! I would love to see your FAQ but I can't find it on your website :/
I think your tutorials are superb. You manage to combine serious instruction with enormous charm and gracefulness. I returned to playing the piano after many years. I love it and practice every day conscientiously using many of your tutorials as a guide. Please can you post some more, especially the ones taking us through a piece such as the one on Chopin. But perhaps an easier one to suit those who have less nimble fingers like myself. Thank you so much for your wonderful instruction. You are a delight to watch.
Hi Charles! Thank you so much for your appreciation! :))) You can find many hundreds of other super-detailed tutorials (including tutorials for beginners and intermediates from the "Piano Masterpieces" series) in the Members Area of my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com. We're looking forward to welcoming you to our piano community! ;)
What a wonderful story! Its nice to hear someone going back to the piano. Too many people have lost their love for piano because of distractions in their lives... I always hear the story on the street of the pianist who started when they were younger but stopped at high school. Charles Peterson Good luck!
Thank you very much for your good wishes. There are many times when I feel frustrated because my fingers just won't do what I want them to. But then I say to myself "I'm doing this for my own pleasure - I'm not aiming to perform to others.So live with the mistakes and fumbling. Just relish the escapist joy of practising a piece and losing yourself in the music." These tutorials have shown me the importance of relaxation, working on technique, posture and many other things I have never touched on or forgotten in the past.
Charles Peterson That is wonderful - and also never forget that in piano playing everything originates in our mind, and our arms/wrists/hands/fingers will only do what our mind can clearly imagine :).
Hi Ilinca, this tutorial is brilliant. I stopped formal piano training 20 years ago and didn’t go beyond grade 2/3. About 2 years ago, I decided to play again, this time by ear. However as playing by ear realise I am stuck with playing every song with the same rhythm/key/and style, so earlier this year I started forcing myself to sight read and picked up this Chopin’s piece. After a couple of months I can play the complete piece, but lacked the necessary tonality and expression. Looking at your detailed tutorial, I picked up a few tips right away that i did not realise and overlooked. Hopefully after implementing the correct technique, I can play it as beautifully as you.
I just wanted to say thank you so much for sharing this fantastic tutorial which simply addresses all the questions I had. I learned so much over the course of one day already It brought back the joy of working on this piece . A brilliant teacher indeed.
Ilinca- hi. This tutorial is beyond phenomenal- it is unlike anything available anywhere and I want to thank you so so much for taking the time to produce such a gift of teaching and instruction. BTW- I *completely disagree* (and am somewhat offended!) by people who call this “wordy”. No. It’s detailed, thorough, and powerful in its completeness. Also, I’m guessing that English is not your first language, HOWEVER, your mastery of the language is stunning, exceeds most native speakers, and deserves a lot of credit!! 😊
Thank you so much, Christopher! 😊 Of course, I completely disagree with those remarks as well 😅. It's sad that we leave in a world where people feel threatened by quality and depth, and they feel such massive resistance to serious practice. Still, things are as they are - and we can only do our best to keep calm and move forward 😇. Thank you for your comment, it means a lot!
Very good teaching, phrasing, colors and nuances... it is good that this score sheet music has the fingering with it which helps learning better for intermediate learners. Some other scores don't. Thank you for sharing this learning video. Hope there would be more alike later on...
Thank you so much! :) By the way, if you are a beginner, you should start with my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (available on PianoCareerAcademy.com). Chopin's Nocturne in C# Minor is an advanced piece, being accessible after at least 6 years of practice :). You can find out more about the Beginner Course (and about the functionality of PianoCareerAcademy) by reading our detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Please pay special attention to questions No. 17 (dedicated to this Course) and 1-6 (you will learn how PCA works, what is included in the membership etc.). Good luck! ;)
Hi liinca, thank you for this tutorial, I started learning the piano just under a year ago and have fallen in love with Chopin, I have prelude in e minor under my belt and have been studying nocturne in C sharp minor for about five months now, I am about three quarters the way through, but am still struggling with the fast runs.. I'm glad I stumbled upon your tutorials and hope this is the start of a wonderful journey into discovering my potential with learning classical music with you. Can't wait to start your academy.. Thank you very much! Gary
Hi Gary! You're learning the C# Minor Nocturne (which is an advanced piece) only after ONE year of practice??? WOW!!! That's a very high goal - and I wish you lots of good luck! ;) Also, don't forget that in order to learn such a complex piece, you need to master all the basics correctly (whole-arm action and weighted playing, correct tone production, hearing and imagination, the basics of analysis, phrasing and intonation, voicing and sound balance, various articulations etc. etc., not to mention all the required technical skills/reflexes, such as arm/elbow/wrist relaxation, wrist navigation/anticipation, finger strength and agility etc.). You can learn all these (and many other) things (in a step-by-step manner) by watching the tutorials available on PianoCareerAcademy.com :). I'm looking forward to welcoming you to our big piano family! :)))
I have been playing this song almost every day for a few months (relatively advanced 4th year student, I play this for my exam), I recognize a lot of what she says. The supple movement of the wrist for the left hand, the phrasing, delayed pedaling, the flowing water feeling during the ladders, the bright feeling of the start of the second part, the rubato... I have the advantage of having big hands with large fingers but for this song that might actually have been a disadvantage, it allowed me to play the left hand without turning the wrist (which I did for the first few weeks) which indeed doesn't work well. As a person who excells in sight-reading I agree what you should practice the left hand separately at first. I recommend any intermediate level pianist to play this song. In my experience you can only get to know this song well by playing it a lot, the better you get to understand the song the better it sounds and the better it feels. At first it can be a bit tedious (especially if you start with the song when you lack the experience) but once you get everything good it becomes a wonderful experience and you learn a lot of skills from working on this song. Best advice: also listen to good recording of others who play the song, you can learn a lot from it. For example, I noticed that I didn't play the a (la) - following after a g (sol) - loud enough which you hear @41:20. Just a small example of subtle things which you notice when you listen to good recordings. Develop your own style (if everyone would play the same then we might as well listen to music from robots instead of playing ourselves, there is not one perfect way to play any song, you have to color it) but see how you can improve it by learning from others who are more advanced. Something is special about these nocturnes from Chopin, you immediately recognize it like how you immediately recognize Bach but I am clueless about how you recognize it so easily or what makes a nocturne a nocturne (other than that it feels fairytale/dreamlike to me, the good kind of dreams and I visually imagine a beautiful dark sky with bright stars).
Thanks for such a useful video, it makes me realize i have to really invest more time in practicing scales and arpeggios. I've been playing this piece for years, but somehow something is missing when i play it. Keep up doing a great job!
Most gratefully appreciated! Excellent explanations.. very helpful! Thank you! You are a superb teacher and a very generous person! Your tutorials are helping improve significantly my piano playing...! I haven´t taken lessons since I was 17! But thanks to you, I am back on track... improving and enjoying very much! All the way from Argentina.. thank you1
Your educational and communicative skills are impressive!!! I,ve subscribed to your channel, dear Illinka and I'll recommend it to my friends, indeed! Thanks again for sharing!!
simply amazing tutorials. even more detail than my tutor used to teach me :). now we'll see if(or how many) i can use the points you talk about with my digital yamaha clavinova clp535
I’m 13 and absolutely love playing and listening to classical music! My mother likes to say I’m some what of a prodigy when it comes to piano mainly because I’m able to play by ear.. but the thing is I hardly know time or rhythm
Wow, you're truly amazing with your tutorials. Nice to see your ideas for this piece, very valuable. :-) Your efforts surely don't go to waste on this channel.
Please, can you make a video about how to find the right teacher? What to look for in a teacher? How to know if a teacher is what one needs to progress in best way? Thank you 🙏
Hi! That's a very interesting topic - but it can also be a very controversial one: there are many piano schools out there (each one having its pros and cons); there are also many methods of teaching - just like there are many methods of learning :). Neither of them is 'perfect' or 'the best' - even though, of course, some teachers are more experienced and knowledgeable than others :)). This diversity is a good thing - because it allows every student to find a method (and a teacher, or multiple teachers) that work best for him/her. I obviously have my own method - but I would never say that it is the only 'right' one - or advise people to avoid teachers that have other opinions and approaches. And when it comes to quality - after watching only a few of my videos, you will never be able to work with an unprofessional teacher who only pays attention to notes, fingering and rhythm LOL. This obviously has to be avoided - but in rest, this topic is too complex and 'grey' to be fully [and objectively] covered in a tutorial :).
My grandmother played this piece; she was also crazy about Schubert. I think i will compose a piece based on the way you speak English, charming and lyrical.
Thank you! The second part of this tutorial is available in the Members Area of PianoCareerAcademy.com. More details in the Description Box and in the video (at about 52:15).
Hi, the Thrill on 31:17 IN MY SHEET runs form E to F sharp. And I actually think that THAT'S the correct sequence. Yet you're playing F sharp to G sharp. The G sharp is postponed for the C sharp. Sounds pretty great to my ear!
If you're talking about the trill in bar 5, it is definitely on F# (being played on F# and G#). Here is a good example - Ashkenazy's recording of this Nocturne (th-cam.com/video/m5qeuVOIbHk/w-d-xo.html). This trill happens at about 00:25.
This is an awsome lession! Really nice to have analysis of that piece, not just the usual techniqual guidance. It one of my favorte piece and I am wondering that for an adult beginner normally how many years you need to play the piano until you can play it relatively properly?
Thank you! :)) To answer your question: because of its expressive challenges, this Nocturne is an advanced piece. Even professional students need at least 5-7 years of experience in order to play it well. Yes, the 'notes-rhythm-fingering' of this piece are accessible after only a couple of years of regular practice (since the Nocturne is not that difficult from a purely technical point of view). However, this type of 'note-only' playing (which is unfortunately so common nowadays) will lack the most important things: meaning, expression, purpose, freedom, depth of understanding (which constitute 90% of a piece's value). Therefore, I strongly recommend the progressive path - building serious skills in a step-by-step manner, instead of trying to learn difficult pieces too soon (which will actually considerably delay your progress) :). If you wish to learn more on this topic (why beginners should not learn advanced pieces), please read my detailed answer to question No. 38 from our FAQs at PianoCareerAcademy.com (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Good luck! ;)
PianoCareer Thank you very very much for the detailed reply! I really appreciate your effort to reply to everyone! This is a great adwise for me! I will reas that section of your FAQ! Thank you again!
Sorry for this last and very long reply... I guess I was thinking out loud... But I got a solution. I understand it's about HOW I play and not so much (at least at that stage where I am) about WHAT I play. If the HOW will be quality, the WHAT will come. I'll just ask for that from my wonderful teacher... I'm sure she'll agree. Thank you again 🙏
Yes, HOW is always the place to start! :) You can learn more on this topic by watching my free tutorial 'Developing a Brilliant Piano Technique - The Holistic Professional Approach' (th-cam.com/video/s0fFVGzBFqc/w-d-xo.html).
I have just started playing piano...and i love this piece and I have not taken any classes and btw this was the best video tutorial i have even seen. So would you be able to suggest me anything. How and what should I do.
Thank you! :) I already made a very detailed analysis and practice guide for this piece in the tutorial above - so all you have to do is follow my recommendations ;). You can also join my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com - and have access to many hundreds of other super-detailed tutorials (including step-by-step courses) focused on a very wide range of piano playing topics, being structured according to categories and levels. If you have any questions about the functionality of this program, please send us a Contact Form (you can find the link at the bottom of the home page at PianoCareerAcademy.com) and my assistant will be happy to send you a full description of what you can find in the Members Area. Almost forgot - you can find the highlights for the ENTIRE video on my free piano blog, PianoCareer.com: www.pianocareer.com/piano-practice/chopin-nocturne-c-sharp-minor-piano-tutorial/
Hi Ilinca, I've learned so much from your videos! I love Chopin music and I must confess that I was trying to learn this piece with only 1 year of piano experience. Watching this video and reading your comments made me realize that this is not a good idea, and I should progress in a more natural way. However, I have no clue on how to select an appropriate piece for my current level. Do you have any tips for that? Thank you in advance, I'm already considering subscribe to your coach program.
Hi Gustavo! I'm really happy that my tutorials helped you to acquire a deeper understanding of our art! :). Yes, as a member of my Piano Coaching Program you will be able to follow my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners - which comprises hundreds of pieces suitable for your level (all of them being analyzed in a super-detailed manner, just like the Nocturne above). This Course will help you to develop ALL your piano skills (technique, expression, hearing, reading, theory & analysis, pedaling etc.) in a harmonious manner, according to the professional system used in the Russian piano school. Besides this Course, you will have access to other step-by-step Courses (the Scale & Arpeggio Course, the Sight-Reading Course), to interactive projects - and to many other tutorials on various topics (including repertoire recommendations for every level). You can learn more about PianoCareerAcademy and its functionality by taking a look at our detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Please pay special attention to questions No. 17 (dedicated to the Beginner Course), No. 19 (dedicated to the Scale Course), No. 38 (a detailed free article where I explain why beginners should not learn advanced pieces) and 1-6 (you will learn how PCA works, what is included in the membership etc.). Good luck! ;)
This is magnificent. I'm 25 years old, I started playing piano at 5 but I quit lessons and just started teaching myself and playing by ear ever since then. So, while my ear for music is great, my technique is terrible and I lack the sophisticated understanding that you have. What do you suggest I do to become more like this, or do you feel it's too late?
Hi! It's never too late to learn how to play piano correctly! :) You can take your expressive/technical/analytical skills to a whole new level, and acquire a deep understanding of the most important piano playing concepts by becoming a member of my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com - where you will have instant access to many hundreds of super-detailed video and written tutorials (including step-by-step courses). For more information, you can read our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/), and also please pay attention to my answer to question No. 23 :)).
You are very talented and a great instructor! I want to learn this piece and I am looking for the sheet music. I have been playing other Chopin pieces on piano and flute and he is one of my favorite composers. I love your accent !
Hi! Thank you! :) You can download the score of this Nocturne on my blog - by clicking on the link that you can find in this article: www.pianocareer.com/piano-practice/chopin-nocturne-c-sharp-minor-piano-tutorial/
Hello dear teacher. Thank you for your great tutorials. Your detailed instructions are useful and by far the best in youtube. Is it possible if you have a tutorial of chopin nocturne op.37 no. 1. I really have problems in this piece(especially in pedaling technique). Thank you and wish you the best.
Thank you so much for your appreciation, Parbi! :) Regarding your tutorial request - I dedicate my entire work time to my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com, where I post new detailed video tutorials every week. For this reason, I can only post free TH-cam tutorials once in 4-6 months - and as a result, I try to select a piece (or a topic) that would benefit as many of my subscribers as possible. So I cannot make any promises - but I certainly hope to find the time to analyze this piece in one of my future tutorials :).
You're very welcome! :) Noooo, the 'mechanical' one is not very nice - very static and 'mathematical' LOL! But, naturally, we all have different tastes and predilections when it comes to musical expression, which is entirely ok! :)
PianoCareer Haha thanks a lot, didn't expect an answer :D Don't get me wrong - I'm no music theory expert, I'm just saying which one kinda sounds better to me, I'm not saying it's the right way to play it - you know that best...I can play everything up to that part, I can't play any further, but that's because I'm still an amateur/beginner...I hope I'll learn one day...Thanks for the tutorials again! Good luck
AstekOst No worries! :) It's actually all about phrasing - which is indeed a rather complex topic. You can learn it from scratch (along with the most important expressive/technical/analytical elements of professional piano playing) by following my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (available on PianoCareerAcademy.com). More information in our FAQs: www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/ Lots of good luck with your practice! ;)
Well, watching your videos definitely made me realize that maybe I need to understand better how to choose my teacher. I feel bad saying that, bcs I do have wonderful teachers (the one who teaches me classical also teaches method of Russian school of piano) and also a beautiful human being, but without a doubt, you are better. Yes, watching you teach is what made me ask the question I asked you 😂. The funny thing with me, is that I have a pretty advanced theory understanding, bcs I've taught it to myself from books for many years, but I am actually a beginner player, and that confuses teachers. So they'll bring an intermediate level pieces (either jazz or classical. I hv 2 different teachers for these different generes) bcs I can understand it, but my technique is not good, bcs I am a beginner. It's almost like they don't want to bore me with beginners materials, understanding I understand a higher level than that, but then I don't really develop basic skills, which I feel I'll only be able to acquire if I'll take MANY steps back and instead of working on Chopins preludes, I'd work on super simple melodies you'd teach for a young child, but then I can learn how to use my wrist, how to choose what sound I'm trying to produce and many other super important things I saw on one of your videos for beginners. I mean, without these skills my music will never be as expressive as I want it to be. Maybe I should just talk to my teachers? I'm afraid they'll take it as an insult, which is why I'm not sure what to do. I very much appreciate your videos and you taking the time to respond to my question. You are a true gift. Thank you 🙏
Hi Toni! I have a feeling you would really enjoy my Video Course for Beginners - it's focused on correcting the exact imbalances you mentioned in your comment! ;) You can learn more about this course by reading my answer to question No. 17 from our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). And, by the way, it's always a good idea to talk to your teachers and explain your concerns/desires... the important thing is to do it nicely, kindly and respectfully :). Make it about you and your weaknesses (and also about the skills you want to develop) - not about their teaching style (this way there's a smaller chance that they will feel insulted). Good luck! ;)
Your teaching methods are magnificent.. I wish you can be my personal piano teacher...i stopped playing at grade 3 and i wanna grow up being like you.. A PERSON who can play the piano very well and not just play well but understand the meaning and playing it with our hearts..IF THERE IS JUST SOMEBODY WHO CAN GUIDE ME LIKE HOW YOU DO.. IM ONLY 15 AND IM BAD AT PLAYING PIANO.. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I PRACTICE I STILL CANT BE LIGHT WITH MY HANDS AND STILL CANT PLAY IT SMOOTHLY.. PLEASE HELP ME...
This is the real way everyone should be learning music. Chopins music didnt take 1 day in the studio. It took years to create. Thats what makes classical music so incredible. You can do it... Dont lose hope. Part of it is in your head so once you let go of that mindset, you will begin to discover how to do it... Maisarah Bok
Hi Maisarah! Thank you so much for your appreciation! :) Yes, you can certainly study with me - by becoming a member of my online Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com :). More details in my reply to your comment to this video: th-cam.com/video/dDdvcDlTz0k/w-d-xo.html In the meantime, one quick tip: the quantity of your practice is not the ONLY important thing - what matters most is the QUALITY or your work. More details in my free tutorial th-cam.com/video/__SiXXnaYOY/w-d-xo.html - and also in the hundreds of videos that you can find on PianoCareerAcademy.com :).
HELLO, I must say you are fantastic at playing and perfect explanation. I had a spanish teacher that was wonderful at explaining music they same as you, Do you think I can play again at 65 yrs after 40 yrs have past. Margie
Thank you, Margie! Yes, of course you can resume your practice - you are still young! :) By the way, you can find a more detailed answer to this question in our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/) - article No. 23. Good luck! ;)
Your playing piano reminds me of a ballerina in a ballet! I soooooo love your beautiful technique and style. Can you please share the link you recommend for this score? Thank you.
Thank you! :) The score that I used for this tutorial can be downloaded on my blog (www.pianocareer.com/piano-practice/chopin-nocturne-c-sharp-minor-piano-tutorial/) - above the written Introduction.
There are moments in the video where you start playing and talking, and suddenly the speech takes some weird rhythms which in combination with the music sounds like some kind of hypnosis. It's really weird and i don't mine it as a critic at all, I just find it amazing, it puts you (the listener) totally inside what you are saying. Thanks for the tutorial by the way!
Hi! Yes, I know what you mean, I've noticed it myself LOL - if I speak simultaneously with the video, I can't avoid being somehow 'in tune' with the music - rhythm, intonation, dynamics etc. :) I'm glad you enjoyed this tutorial! ;)
You're very welcome! :) This is not an iPad, it's a very old tablet that probably needs replacing LOL. I'm using a basic pdf reader for scores, an Office app for .doc files - and a photo viewer for jpeg scores :).
I've played the piano for 13 months now and I just finished 'Knecht Ruprecht' by Schumann. Apparently I'm quite gifted. Do you think I can play this? It really is one of my favorite pieces. :)
+Yves Hi Yves! Even though this Nocturne is not super challenging from a technical point of view (with the exception of a few difficult passages), in order to play it WELL we need serious expressive skills (such as good phrasing, sound balance, intonation, micro-dynamics etc.) - that's why professionals consider this piece as 'advanced', or at least accessible for the late intermediate level. In general, it is not recommended to play Chopin if you're a beginner (during the 3-4 years of practice) - with the exception of a few pieces (such as the Waltz in A Minor, op. posth.). In other words, playing the NOTES of a piece (which you probably can do at this point) does not equal mastering a piece properly (and playing it freely and artistically, without clumsiness, rigidity and expressive mistakes) - this is only the first step of the journey! ;) You can learn more by watching my detailed tutorials available on PianoCareerAcademy.com.
Could you speak to the difference between certain bars in the sheet you're using here and other sheets available? Two specific examples would be in bars 7 & 8. On your sheet: In bar 7, the C# is tied throughout the first half of the measure. In other sheets: The C# is played again after the initial half note. Second: In bar 8, the left hand of the sheet in this video shows the initial bass note as a D# whereas other sheets show an F#. What is the significance of these differences and how is one to determine the 'true' script?
M L Hi! There are several editions of this Nocturne (with minor differences between them) - as I explain in my article about this piece: www.pianocareer.com/piano-practice/chopin-nocturne-c-sharp-minor-piano-tutorial/ (this link can also be found in the Description Box) :).
Thank you for all your advices they are all so useful ❤️ could you please make a tutorial for "The Little Negro" by Claude Debussy thank you very muuuch 💕💕💕💕
+Bouchra Rodriguez Thank you so much for your appreciation! :) Regarding your tutorial request - I dedicate my entire work time to my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com, where I post new detailed video tutorials every week (by the way, you can find out more about the functionality of PianoCareerAcademy by reading our detailed FAQs [www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/]). For this reason, I can post free TH-cam tutorials only once in 4-6 months - and as a result, I try to select a piece (or a topic) that would benefit as many of my subscribers as possible. So I cannot make any promises - but I certainly hope to find the time to analyze this piece in one of my future tutorials :).
![How to Play Chopin | Nocturne in C Sharp minor, Op. Posth. (No. 20) [Tutorial]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8P90HS_d4Rg/mqdefault.jpg)
Every aspect of this video is completely brilliant -there are many excellent youtube tutorials on this piece but yours is quite exceptional . I wish you had been my piano teacher when I was a child . thank you so much .
Thank you so much for your appreciation! :)))
This is exactly the kind of in-depth tutorial I needed. From the explanation, to the hand placement and the tempo and the emotion, it's brilliant!
Thank you so much, Benjamin! Enjoy your practice! 🥰
Illinka is a very good piano and music teacher. I like a lot how she explains everything. She tells you everything. The sound is of the utmost importance. I have never had so many important instructions. I will be so happy to progress. Thank you so much Illinka.
Thank you for your appreciation, Elisa! ;)
I am so impressed with your explanation of a singing tone, weight and relaxation. I’ve studied for many years and have had excellent teachers, but these concepts from the Russian technique perspective are new to me and I am finding it incredibly helpful. I’ve been playing this posthumous nocturne for years and am “redoing” my approach to it. My teacher was saying many of the same things, but your description of the weight transfer, deep beautiful sound and relaxation in the releases make so much sense to me. It really transforms the sound! Wow. And I LOVE all the detail you include. Many, many thanks.
You are so welcome, Stephanie! Thank you SO MUCH for your appreciation - it means a lot! 🥰 I'm really happy that my tutorial was helpful!
You are simply the BEST piano teacher I've ever seen in my 32 years old life.
The detail, sensitivity and explanation whiles the tutorial goes trough it's just untag-able.
And of course the SOUND QUALITY you produce is just beautiful and brilliant!
Looking forward to start your course.
Greetings from Spain 🇪🇸
Wow, thank you so much for your appreciation, Alex! :))) We're looking forward to welcoming you to our community at PianoCareerAcademy.com! ;)
I felt your tutorial was wordy in the beginning as well. But gradually grew to love your beautiful narrating of the story of the song. For people invested, having this story would help more than most simple note-copying TH-cam tutorials.
Thank you, Minh! You know, for a long time I used to get very surprised by such comments. I could never understand why people complain about quality and depth (in a FREE tutorial!). In the real world, in professional Conservatories, you need to pay many thousands of dollars for this type of training. Now I finally realize that those who think I share 'too much' are not interested in learning how to play well - they are simply looking for 'note-typing' tutorials (as you mentioned). In other words, they are amateurs looking for a bit of fun. Nothing wrong with that - but, of course, this is not the purpose of my channel. Also, the way I teach a piece is not just about the 'story'. I share the entire professional-level process of 'dissecting' and mastering a piece (which includes analysis, dramaturgy, the entire range of expressive effects, technique, artistry etc.). Again, this is not for everyone. If only people had the basic skill of refraining from sharing uninformed opinions (and simply moving on) - this would save all of us a lot of time.
i have always struggled with this piece, because it is at the limits of my ability. thankyou for you meticulously detailed and very clear instructions, you really demonstrate an in depth understanding and flawless demonstration of both emotional content and technical application, showing me things that i would never have seen or heard myself. best teacher ever.
Thank you so much, Ian! I'm really happy you enjoyed this tutorial! :)))
I am so happy to have discovered you on TH-cam. You are a woman who has completely mastered her craft, both in performance and in education. It is astounding to watch you dissect each detail of your playing, as you are able to demonstrate how purposeful each technique is. In my first video, I played the Fantaisie Impromptu, and I am looking to record this nocturne next. I will definitely be taking tips from your tutorial, so thank you so much for sharing your expertise. You play with both precision and grace, a balance I am still trying to achieve.
Thank you so much, Stephanie!!! 🥰
You speak so eloquently and clear, it makes it so easy and fun to understand. My goal is to polish this piece untill my next recital :)
Thank you - I'm happy to hear that this tutorial was helpful! Enjoy your practice! :)
Dear Ilinca, I found your amazing piano tutorials a few days ago on youtube. Especially this video provides a really well-structured and detailled analysis full of good examples for practicing and learning for advancing playing the piano. Thank you for providing it on youtube!
Thank you so much for your appreciation, Samuel! :)))
Your lessons are changing a lot the way i live with my piano and music, always for good indeed. I really appreciate the wisdom you share, really thank you so much!
Cluster Loop I'm really happy that you enjoy my tutorials! Thank you for your comment! :)))
Have just learnt this piece. Am now going to start practising again paying special attention to everything you have taught me in this wonderful and detailed tutorial. Thank you
You're very welcome, Shuli! Enjoy your practice! ;)
Dear Illinka, Thanks a million for taking a look and for all your truly valuable comments and advice!!. And for your words of praise, that encourage me, indeed. Your videos are a real treasure, and I have watched them many
times!! For sure, I'll into account your words, to improve my performances.
You are truly accomplished as a teacher, and a charming person!! Thanks again, Illinka!
You're very welcome, Ferran! ;) Keep up the good work!!!
Ilinica, you are an angel! I am studying this piece and your tutorial came at the perfect time. Thank you for the many camera angles and thank you very much for your generosity!
You're very welcome!!! :)))
This teacher is excellent. and she is very technical and she also explained the very tiny details. This tutorial is good for serious students but too complicated for the average students. But if i have to choose, i will choose her as my teacher in a heartbeat because i am serious to learn how to play.
Thank you very much, Simple Traveler! :) Indeed, in my tutorials I share professional-level information - and they are not addressed to students that do not wish to study piano very seriously.
Thank you for this wonderful lesson - your approach is so very refreshing and easy to follow. Wonderful teaching of philosophy along with technical and expressiveness demonstrations. Very ergonomic and holistic approach to practicing properly. I so very much appreciate this.
Thank you so much! :)
I've been self-learning piano for about 4 years, and oh god i've never seen such a technically/musically detailed tutorial on youtube, teaching how to play "music" with such expression not just "notes", such a great tutorial and really helped me get motivated and go back to my piano and practice this piece,
Thank you for this great video and other videos, even though i'm a bit too late, years after, but i'm so thankful that i eventually found your channel.
Wow, thank you! I'm so happy that you enjoyed this tutorial - and I hope you find my other free videos helpful as well! :)
Wow! This is a very very great tutorial. I really love it. It helps me so much in practicing my Grade 7 2017-2018 exam pieces. Now, still practicing the introduction, and RH and LH separately.. Thanks so much Ilinca, I learned many new skills and perspective about piano playing with your piano tutorials. Your piano skills are extremely incredible.. Fantastic.. :)))))))))))
Thank you so much, Nurhabib! I'm really happy that my tutorials are helpful for you! Enjoy your practice! :)))
You are most welcome Ilinca... :)
Its amazing how you guide us through the piece and how you learn to appreciate the piece even which brings my own playing to a much higher level. THANKS!!
Thank you!!! :)))
Thank you so very much Mam for taking your time to do this tutorial. I heard this piece being played and I went to TH-cam to see if anyone has possibly posted a tutorial, and Wow!!, this is great! You touched it all, very detailed and informative.
You're very welcome, Ramona! Enjoy practicing this beautiful piece! ;)
I am practicing this piece and this video is pure gold. Not only for this piece but for playing in general also. Thank you so much for sharing this and putting so much work in it for explaining it so well!
Thank you so much, Dimitri! I'm really happy that this tutorial is helpful for you! :)))
She is all art and passion! Love it! Now seriously these technical aspects were really helpful
Thank you, Henry! The 'art and passion' are not subjective and just personality-driven LOL. It's all part of how we teach and approach music in the Russian system. Any technical aspect is completely pointless if if doesn't have meaning behind it, if it is not derived from what we wish to communicate. This is actually one of the main secrets behind the amazing playing of great pianists :).
Ilinca, thank you so much!
I am playing for 4 month now, and I leaned this Nocturne. Your tutorial helped me on the desending scale. My piano teacher is really proud of me and I pay a lot of attention on the emotional side of the piece. I enjoyed your tutorial, thank you!
You're very welcome, Alexis! I'm really happy that you enjoyed this tutorial - and that it helped you to get a deeper insight into the expressive side of this piece :). By the way, you surely meant that you're playing piano for 4 YEARS - not 4 months! If you can play this Nocturne after only 4 months of practice, then you have miraculous skills and a super-human learning speed! :))) Professional students usually play music of this complexity after at least 6 years of serious practice :)))).
Thank you for your answer and your positive comments! It means a lot to me so thank you.
I really ment 4 months and not years, I can't read the sheet music so I had to memorise the whole Nocturne by heart, and it is actually helps a lot to focus on the emotional side of the piece (I also listen to a lot of recording so it helps to have an idea of how I should play emotionally). I found the fingering myself, and I have big hand so I don't have difficulties on the overall technique, but I had troubles on the fast parts at the end :)
I have a piano teacher for 1 month now and she helped me on the correct finger positioning (all sort of beginner stuff), and also how to play the fast parts smoothly.
I don't think I have superhuman piano skills or memorising! But I truely love the instrument and I care a lot about the emotional side of the piece :)
Oh, I see :). In this case, my main recommendation is to learn musical notation! Our art is incredibly beautiful and complex, and it's impossible to explore it fully without knowing how to read music (not to mention that by choosing to ignore this important element of piano playing, you'll also miss out on important expressive effects, you will not be able to develop your theoretical/analytical skills - and this list can go on and on). Find out more by reading my answer to question No. 18 from our FAQs at PianoCareerAcademy.com (where I explain why it is so important to learn musical notation) - and you can also take a look at question No. 34 (pay special attention to the part where I explain what 'expression' is, and how it should not be confused with 'emotion'). Good luck! ;)
I am currently learning with my teacher the musical notation, I really want to be able to read sheet music (I struggle a little bit but I improve everyday. I agree with you, it is important!
I would love to see your FAQ but I can't find it on your website :/
Oops! Sorry, I forgot to share the link to the FAQ LOL - here it is: www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/
It’s so well explained in technique, melody, and practice, It’s absolutely brilliant! 🙏 thank you
Thank you so much, Katherine! 🥰
I think your tutorials are superb. You manage to combine serious instruction with enormous charm and gracefulness. I returned to playing the piano after many years. I love it and practice every day conscientiously using many of your tutorials as a guide. Please can you post some more, especially the ones taking us through a piece such as the one on Chopin. But perhaps an easier one to suit those who have less nimble fingers like myself. Thank you so much for your wonderful instruction. You are a delight to watch.
Hi Charles! Thank you so much for your appreciation! :))) You can find many hundreds of other super-detailed tutorials (including tutorials for beginners and intermediates from the "Piano Masterpieces" series) in the Members Area of my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com. We're looking forward to welcoming you to our piano community! ;)
What a wonderful story! Its nice to hear someone going back to the piano. Too many people have lost their love for piano because of distractions in their lives... I always hear the story on the street of the pianist who started when they were younger but stopped at high school. Charles Peterson Good luck!
Thank you very much for your good wishes. There are many times when I feel frustrated because my fingers just won't do what I want them to. But then I say to myself "I'm doing this for my own pleasure - I'm not aiming to perform to others.So live with the mistakes and fumbling. Just relish the escapist joy of practising a piece and losing yourself in the music." These tutorials have shown me the importance of relaxation, working on technique, posture and many other things I have never touched on or forgotten in the past.
Charles Peterson That is wonderful - and also never forget that in piano playing everything originates in our mind, and our arms/wrists/hands/fingers will only do what our mind can clearly imagine :).
Hi Ilinca, this tutorial is brilliant. I stopped formal piano training 20 years ago and didn’t go beyond grade 2/3. About 2 years ago, I decided to play again, this time by ear. However as playing by ear realise I am stuck with playing every song with the same rhythm/key/and style, so earlier this year I started forcing myself to sight read and picked up this Chopin’s piece. After a couple of months I can play the complete piece, but lacked the necessary tonality and expression. Looking at your detailed tutorial, I picked up a few tips right away that i did not realise and overlooked. Hopefully after implementing the correct technique, I can play it as beautifully as you.
Hi Joel! I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed my tutorial - and I wish you lots of good luck with your practice! ;)
I just wanted to say thank you so much for sharing this fantastic tutorial which simply addresses all the questions I had. I learned so much over the course of one day already It brought back the joy of working on this piece . A brilliant teacher indeed.
Thank you so much! Enjoy your practice! ;)
THANK YOU. THIS IS WONDERFUL for me trying to learn this beautiful piece.
You're very welcome! Enjoy your practice! :))
Deep Thanks , I wanna tell U that , this is my first Chopin Piece ever for me to learn and Play , Thank U so Much :)
You're very welcome, Omar! Enjoy learning this beautiful piece! ;)
:) :)
I can't thank you enough for this video, gonna start learning this piece soon. You're great! A big hug from Argentina. :)
Hi Drake! Thank you so much!!! :)
Ilinca- hi. This tutorial is beyond phenomenal- it is unlike anything available anywhere and I want to thank you so so much for taking the time to produce such a gift of teaching and instruction. BTW- I *completely disagree* (and am somewhat offended!) by people who call this “wordy”. No. It’s detailed, thorough, and powerful in its completeness. Also, I’m guessing that English is not your first language, HOWEVER, your mastery of the language is stunning, exceeds most native speakers, and deserves a lot of credit!! 😊
Thank you so much, Christopher! 😊 Of course, I completely disagree with those remarks as well 😅. It's sad that we leave in a world where people feel threatened by quality and depth, and they feel such massive resistance to serious practice. Still, things are as they are - and we can only do our best to keep calm and move forward 😇. Thank you for your comment, it means a lot!
You play beautifully... nice tutorial..
Michael Sreepuram Thank you, Michael! ;)
Your welcome .. whats your name
I learnt this piece two years ago, but today im going to impruve a lot thanks to your video
Thank you for your comment and enjoy your practice! ;)
Your videos are so detailed and wondefulI. I always am amazed by the soft and free expression you give to the music. :)
Thank you, Luis! :)))
Very good teaching, phrasing, colors and nuances... it is good that this score sheet music has the fingering with it which helps learning better for intermediate learners. Some other scores don't. Thank you for sharing this learning video. Hope there would be more alike later on...
Bruno Chemali Thank you for your appreciation! ;)
You are the best teacher, a pianist ever. I really so admire you. I am beginner ^^. Thank you very much for sharing all the lesson!!
Thank you so much! :) By the way, if you are a beginner, you should start with my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (available on PianoCareerAcademy.com). Chopin's Nocturne in C# Minor is an advanced piece, being accessible after at least 6 years of practice :). You can find out more about the Beginner Course (and about the functionality of PianoCareerAcademy) by reading our detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Please pay special attention to questions No. 17 (dedicated to this Course) and 1-6 (you will learn how PCA works, what is included in the membership etc.). Good luck! ;)
Hi Ilinca, thank you for these masterful tutorials , Love it !!
Thank you so much, Alexander! :)))
Hi liinca, thank you for this tutorial, I started learning the piano just under a year ago and have fallen in love with Chopin, I have prelude in e minor under my belt and have been studying nocturne in C sharp minor for about five months now, I am about three quarters the way through, but am still struggling with the fast runs.. I'm glad I stumbled upon your tutorials and hope this is the start of a wonderful journey into discovering my potential with learning classical music with you. Can't wait to start your academy.. Thank you very much! Gary
Hi Gary! You're learning the C# Minor Nocturne (which is an advanced piece) only after ONE year of practice??? WOW!!! That's a very high goal - and I wish you lots of good luck! ;) Also, don't forget that in order to learn such a complex piece, you need to master all the basics correctly (whole-arm action and weighted playing, correct tone production, hearing and imagination, the basics of analysis, phrasing and intonation, voicing and sound balance, various articulations etc. etc., not to mention all the required technical skills/reflexes, such as arm/elbow/wrist relaxation, wrist navigation/anticipation, finger strength and agility etc.). You can learn all these (and many other) things (in a step-by-step manner) by watching the tutorials available on PianoCareerAcademy.com :). I'm looking forward to welcoming you to our big piano family! :)))
Your English (among many other things) is fantastic! Thank you for this extensive tutorial!
Thank you so much! I'm happy that you enjoyed this tutorial! ;)
I have been playing this song almost every day for a few months (relatively advanced 4th year student, I play this for my exam), I recognize a lot of what she says. The supple movement of the wrist for the left hand, the phrasing, delayed pedaling, the flowing water feeling during the ladders, the bright feeling of the start of the second part, the rubato...
I have the advantage of having big hands with large fingers but for this song that might actually have been a disadvantage, it allowed me to play the left hand without turning the wrist (which I did for the first few weeks) which indeed doesn't work well. As a person who excells in sight-reading I agree what you should practice the left hand separately at first.
I recommend any intermediate level pianist to play this song. In my experience you can only get to know this song well by playing it a lot, the better you get to understand the song the better it sounds and the better it feels. At first it can be a bit tedious (especially if you start with the song when you lack the experience) but once you get everything good it becomes a wonderful experience and you learn a lot of skills from working on this song. Best advice: also listen to good recording of others who play the song, you can learn a lot from it. For example, I noticed that I didn't play the a (la) - following after a g (sol) - loud enough which you hear @41:20. Just a small example of subtle things which you notice when you listen to good recordings. Develop your own style (if everyone would play the same then we might as well listen to music from robots instead of playing ourselves, there is not one perfect way to play any song, you have to color it) but see how you can improve it by learning from others who are more advanced. Something is special about these nocturnes from Chopin, you immediately recognize it like how you immediately recognize Bach but I am clueless about how you recognize it so easily or what makes a nocturne a nocturne (other than that it feels fairytale/dreamlike to me, the good kind of dreams and I visually imagine a beautiful dark sky with bright stars).
Thank you for your comment and for sharing your experience, Peter! :)
Amazing! The best tutorial I ever found in YT! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much!! :)
Thanks for such a useful video, it makes me realize i have to really invest more time in practicing scales and arpeggios. I've been playing this piece for years, but somehow something is missing when i play it. Keep up doing a great job!
Thank you, Ina! I'm happy you enjoyed this video! :)
Great Instructor with the Beautiful Attitude ❤️Thank you very much for your kindly enhanced .
Thank you! ;)
Most gratefully appreciated! Excellent explanations.. very helpful! Thank you! You are a superb teacher and a very generous person! Your tutorials are helping improve significantly my piano playing...! I haven´t taken lessons since I was 17! But thanks to you, I am back on track... improving and enjoying very much! All the way from Argentina.. thank you1
Thank you so much, Rodolfo! :)
Your educational and communicative skills are impressive!!! I,ve subscribed to your channel, dear Illinka and I'll recommend it to my friends, indeed! Thanks again for sharing!!
Thank you, Ferran! ;)
I am studying this piece and your tutorial helped me a lot. Thank you so much! Kisses from Portugal. :)
Glad it was helpful, Daisy! Enjoy your practice! ;)
Lovely, Ilinca! Thank you for another tutorial!
You're very welcome! :)))
simply amazing tutorials. even more detail than my tutor used to teach me :). now we'll see if(or how many) i can use the points you talk about with my digital yamaha clavinova clp535
+Taylan Özberk Thank you! ;)
Thank you lot madam illinka, for your so impressive practice guide.You are great
Thank you so much, Ersan! ;)
I’m 13 and absolutely love playing and listening to classical music! My mother likes to say I’m some what of a prodigy when it comes to piano mainly because I’m able to play by ear.. but the thing is I hardly know time or rhythm
Hi! The good news is that learning how to read music is very easy - so you should definitely give it a go :).
Wow, you're truly amazing with your tutorials. Nice to see your ideas for this piece, very valuable. :-) Your efforts surely don't go to waste on this channel.
Thank you so much, Petri! ;)
Very nicely explained..shows your depth of music
Thank you! ;)
Thank you very much for your detailed and useful tutorials !
You are very welcome! :)
Thank u so much for this in dept. Well explained :)
Glad it was helpful! :)
very core lesson , brilliant effort ! , thank you
+Osama Abouzeid You're very welcome! ;)
You are wonderful.. truly! I've learned so much. Thank you
You're very welcome! Thank you so much for your appreciation! :)))
thank you so much for such free advices and practice guide! thank you again
You are very welcome! Thank you for your appreciation! :)))
Please, can you make a video about how to find the right teacher? What to look for in a teacher? How to know if a teacher is what one needs to progress in best way? Thank you 🙏
Hi! That's a very interesting topic - but it can also be a very controversial one: there are many piano schools out there (each one having its pros and cons); there are also many methods of teaching - just like there are many methods of learning :). Neither of them is 'perfect' or 'the best' - even though, of course, some teachers are more experienced and knowledgeable than others :)). This diversity is a good thing - because it allows every student to find a method (and a teacher, or multiple teachers) that work best for him/her. I obviously have my own method - but I would never say that it is the only 'right' one - or advise people to avoid teachers that have other opinions and approaches. And when it comes to quality - after watching only a few of my videos, you will never be able to work with an unprofessional teacher who only pays attention to notes, fingering and rhythm LOL. This obviously has to be avoided - but in rest, this topic is too complex and 'grey' to be fully [and objectively] covered in a tutorial :).
Wonderful tutorial, thank you so much!
You're very welcome! Thank you for your appreciation! :))
My grandmother played this piece; she was also crazy about Schubert.
I think i will compose a piece based on the way you speak English, charming and lyrical.
:)))
I like this Tutorial very much! I have new thoughts about this piece!
Thank you, Chuang! ;)
I came here specifically for this passage 52:34 but it's not included in this tutorial 😭😭 You have a nice teaching style tho ❤️
Thank you! The second part of this tutorial is available in the Members Area of PianoCareerAcademy.com. More details in the Description Box and in the video (at about 52:15).
This is an amazing tutorial! Thank you so much!
Thank you! :))) I'm really happy you enjoyed it!
Thanks a lot for sharing . Its amazing 😊🌹
+Mahziar Hx Thank you! :)))
You're amazing.
+Barry Kershaw Thank you so much! ;)
Awesome thorougher tutorial.
Thank you! ;)
Great instruction! Merry Christmas from Nashville, TN, James :)
+James Michael Stevens Thank you so much! Merry Christmas!!! :))
I really enjoyed this tutorial!
Hi, the Thrill on 31:17 IN MY SHEET runs form E to F sharp. And I actually think that THAT'S the correct sequence. Yet you're playing F sharp to G sharp. The G sharp is postponed for the C sharp. Sounds pretty great to my ear!
If you're talking about the trill in bar 5, it is definitely on F# (being played on F# and G#). Here is a good example - Ashkenazy's recording of this Nocturne (th-cam.com/video/m5qeuVOIbHk/w-d-xo.html). This trill happens at about 00:25.
Thank you so much for this tutorial.
You are so welcome! :)
this is an amazing tutorial! thank you :)
Thank you so much, Gabriella! ;)
Amazing video/channel. Hi from Morocco. Thanks for the tips
Thank you! :))
So beaultiful! his music is forever
This is an awsome lession! Really nice to have analysis of that piece, not just the usual techniqual guidance. It one of my favorte piece and I am wondering that for an adult beginner normally how many years you need to play the piano until you can play it relatively properly?
Thank you! :)) To answer your question: because of its expressive challenges, this Nocturne is an advanced piece. Even professional students need at least 5-7 years of experience in order to play it well. Yes, the 'notes-rhythm-fingering' of this piece are accessible after only a couple of years of regular practice (since the Nocturne is not that difficult from a purely technical point of view). However, this type of 'note-only' playing (which is unfortunately so common nowadays) will lack the most important things: meaning, expression, purpose, freedom, depth of understanding (which constitute 90% of a piece's value). Therefore, I strongly recommend the progressive path - building serious skills in a step-by-step manner, instead of trying to learn difficult pieces too soon (which will actually considerably delay your progress) :). If you wish to learn more on this topic (why beginners should not learn advanced pieces), please read my detailed answer to question No. 38 from our FAQs at PianoCareerAcademy.com (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Good luck! ;)
PianoCareer Thank you very very much for the detailed reply! I really appreciate your effort to reply to everyone! This is a great adwise for me! I will reas that section of your FAQ! Thank you again!
My pleasure! ;)
thank you for this beautiful tutorial. :)
specjalista neurolog You're very welcome! Thank you for your comment! ;)
Sorry for this last and very long reply... I guess I was thinking out loud... But I got a solution. I understand it's about HOW I play and not so much (at least at that stage where I am) about WHAT I play. If the HOW will be quality, the WHAT will come. I'll just ask for that from my wonderful teacher... I'm sure she'll agree. Thank you again 🙏
Yes, HOW is always the place to start! :) You can learn more on this topic by watching my free tutorial 'Developing a Brilliant Piano Technique - The Holistic Professional Approach' (th-cam.com/video/s0fFVGzBFqc/w-d-xo.html).
Toni H e
I have just started playing piano...and i love this piece and I have not taken any classes and btw this was the best video tutorial i have even seen. So would you be able to suggest me anything. How and what should I do.
Thank you! :) I already made a very detailed analysis and practice guide for this piece in the tutorial above - so all you have to do is follow my recommendations ;). You can also join my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com - and have access to many hundreds of other super-detailed tutorials (including step-by-step courses) focused on a very wide range of piano playing topics, being structured according to categories and levels. If you have any questions about the functionality of this program, please send us a Contact Form (you can find the link at the bottom of the home page at PianoCareerAcademy.com) and my assistant will be happy to send you a full description of what you can find in the Members Area. Almost forgot - you can find the highlights for the ENTIRE video on my free piano blog, PianoCareer.com: www.pianocareer.com/piano-practice/chopin-nocturne-c-sharp-minor-piano-tutorial/
Hi Ilinca, I've learned so much from your videos! I love Chopin music and I must confess that I was trying to learn this piece with only 1 year of piano experience. Watching this video and reading your comments made me realize that this is not a good idea, and I should progress in a more natural way. However, I have no clue on how to select an appropriate piece for my current level. Do you have any tips for that? Thank you in advance, I'm already considering subscribe to your coach program.
Hi Gustavo! I'm really happy that my tutorials helped you to acquire a deeper understanding of our art! :). Yes, as a member of my Piano Coaching Program you will be able to follow my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners - which comprises hundreds of pieces suitable for your level (all of them being analyzed in a super-detailed manner, just like the Nocturne above). This Course will help you to develop ALL your piano skills (technique, expression, hearing, reading, theory & analysis, pedaling etc.) in a harmonious manner, according to the professional system used in the Russian piano school. Besides this Course, you will have access to other step-by-step Courses (the Scale & Arpeggio Course, the Sight-Reading Course), to interactive projects - and to many other tutorials on various topics (including repertoire recommendations for every level). You can learn more about PianoCareerAcademy and its functionality by taking a look at our detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Please pay special attention to questions No. 17 (dedicated to the Beginner Course), No. 19 (dedicated to the Scale Course), No. 38 (a detailed free article where I explain why beginners should not learn advanced pieces) and 1-6 (you will learn how PCA works, what is included in the membership etc.). Good luck! ;)
This is magnificent. I'm 25 years old, I started playing piano at 5 but I quit lessons and just started teaching myself and playing by ear ever since then. So, while my ear for music is great, my technique is terrible and I lack the sophisticated understanding that you have. What do you suggest I do to become more like this, or do you feel it's too late?
Hi! It's never too late to learn how to play piano correctly! :) You can take your expressive/technical/analytical skills to a whole new level, and acquire a deep understanding of the most important piano playing concepts by becoming a member of my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com - where you will have instant access to many hundreds of super-detailed video and written tutorials (including step-by-step courses). For more information, you can read our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/), and also please pay attention to my answer to question No. 23 :)).
Omg such an amazing lesson
Thank you! ;)
You are very talented and a great instructor! I want to learn this piece and I am looking for the sheet music. I have been playing other Chopin pieces on piano and flute and he is one of my favorite composers. I love your accent !
Hi! Thank you! :) You can download the score of this Nocturne on my blog - by clicking on the link that you can find in this article: www.pianocareer.com/piano-practice/chopin-nocturne-c-sharp-minor-piano-tutorial/
Thanks for the score ! I started practicing it already
You're very welcome! Enjoy your practice! ;)
Hello dear teacher. Thank you for your great tutorials. Your detailed instructions are useful and by far the best in youtube. Is it possible if you have a tutorial of chopin nocturne op.37 no. 1. I really have problems in this piece(especially in pedaling technique). Thank you and wish you the best.
Thank you so much for your appreciation, Parbi! :) Regarding your tutorial request - I dedicate my entire work time to my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com, where I post new detailed video tutorials every week. For this reason, I can only post free TH-cam tutorials once in 4-6 months - and as a result, I try to select a piece (or a topic) that would benefit as many of my subscribers as possible. So I cannot make any promises - but I certainly hope to find the time to analyze this piece in one of my future tutorials :).
37:45 I actually like how the 'mechanical' one sounds better hahaha thanks for the tutorial, it's very helpful! :)
You're very welcome! :) Noooo, the 'mechanical' one is not very nice - very static and 'mathematical' LOL! But, naturally, we all have different tastes and predilections when it comes to musical expression, which is entirely ok! :)
PianoCareer Haha thanks a lot, didn't expect an answer :D Don't get me wrong - I'm no music theory expert, I'm just saying which one kinda sounds better to me, I'm not saying it's the right way to play it - you know that best...I can play everything up to that part, I can't play any further, but that's because I'm still an amateur/beginner...I hope I'll learn one day...Thanks for the tutorials again! Good luck
AstekOst No worries! :) It's actually all about phrasing - which is indeed a rather complex topic. You can learn it from scratch (along with the most important expressive/technical/analytical elements of professional piano playing) by following my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (available on PianoCareerAcademy.com). More information in our FAQs: www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/ Lots of good luck with your practice! ;)
Well, watching your videos definitely made me realize that maybe I need to understand better how to choose my teacher. I feel bad saying that, bcs I do have wonderful teachers (the one who teaches me classical also teaches method of Russian school of piano) and also a beautiful human being, but without a doubt, you are better. Yes, watching you teach is what made me ask the question I asked you 😂. The funny thing with me, is that I have a pretty advanced theory understanding, bcs I've taught it to myself from books for many years, but I am actually a beginner player, and that confuses teachers. So they'll bring an intermediate level pieces (either jazz or classical. I hv 2 different teachers for these different generes) bcs I can understand it, but my technique is not good, bcs I am a beginner. It's almost like they don't want to bore me with beginners materials, understanding I understand a higher level than that, but then I don't really develop basic skills, which I feel I'll only be able to acquire if I'll take MANY steps back and instead of working on Chopins preludes, I'd work on super simple melodies you'd teach for a young child, but then I can learn how to use my wrist, how to choose what sound I'm trying to produce and many other super important things I saw on one of your videos for beginners. I mean, without these skills my music will never be as expressive as I want it to be. Maybe I should just talk to my teachers? I'm afraid they'll take it as an insult, which is why I'm not sure what to do. I very much appreciate your videos and you taking the time to respond to my question. You are a true gift. Thank you 🙏
Hi Toni! I have a feeling you would really enjoy my Video Course for Beginners - it's focused on correcting the exact imbalances you mentioned in your comment! ;) You can learn more about this course by reading my answer to question No. 17 from our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). And, by the way, it's always a good idea to talk to your teachers and explain your concerns/desires... the important thing is to do it nicely, kindly and respectfully :). Make it about you and your weaknesses (and also about the skills you want to develop) - not about their teaching style (this way there's a smaller chance that they will feel insulted). Good luck! ;)
Your teaching methods are magnificent..
I wish you can be my personal piano teacher...i stopped playing at grade 3 and i wanna grow up being like you.. A PERSON who can play the piano very well and not just play well but understand the meaning and playing it with our hearts..IF THERE IS JUST SOMEBODY WHO CAN GUIDE ME LIKE HOW YOU DO.. IM ONLY 15 AND IM BAD AT PLAYING PIANO.. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I PRACTICE I STILL CANT BE LIGHT WITH MY HANDS AND STILL CANT PLAY IT SMOOTHLY.. PLEASE HELP ME...
This is the real way everyone should be learning music. Chopins music didnt take 1 day in the studio. It took years to create. Thats what makes classical music so incredible. You can do it... Dont lose hope. Part of it is in your head so once you let go of that mindset, you will begin to discover how to do it... Maisarah Bok
Piano Around the World thank you so MUCH.. IT means a lot to me.. i appreciate it a lot... thank you again...
Hi Maisarah! Thank you so much for your appreciation! :) Yes, you can certainly study with me - by becoming a member of my online Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com :). More details in my reply to your comment to this video: th-cam.com/video/dDdvcDlTz0k/w-d-xo.html In the meantime, one quick tip: the quantity of your practice is not the ONLY important thing - what matters most is the QUALITY or your work. More details in my free tutorial th-cam.com/video/__SiXXnaYOY/w-d-xo.html - and also in the hundreds of videos that you can find on PianoCareerAcademy.com :).
Thank you so much for replying my message.. Take care...
HELLO, I must say you are fantastic at playing and perfect explanation. I had a spanish teacher that was wonderful at explaining music they same as you, Do you think I can play again at 65 yrs after 40 yrs have past. Margie
Thank you, Margie! Yes, of course you can resume your practice - you are still young! :) By the way, you can find a more detailed answer to this question in our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/) - article No. 23. Good luck! ;)
Thank you great lesson
+Takahiro Suzuki You're very welcome! ;)
Your playing piano reminds me of a ballerina in a ballet! I soooooo love your beautiful technique and style. Can you please share the link you recommend for this score? Thank you.
Thank you! :) The score that I used for this tutorial can be downloaded on my blog (www.pianocareer.com/piano-practice/chopin-nocturne-c-sharp-minor-piano-tutorial/) - above the written Introduction.
Thank you very much... Very useful for me...
You're very welcome! Enjoy your practice! ;)
There are moments in the video where you start playing and talking, and suddenly the speech takes some weird rhythms which in combination with the music sounds like some kind of hypnosis. It's really weird and i don't mine it as a critic at all, I just find it amazing, it puts you (the listener) totally inside what you are saying. Thanks for the tutorial by the way!
Hi! Yes, I know what you mean, I've noticed it myself LOL - if I speak simultaneously with the video, I can't avoid being somehow 'in tune' with the music - rhythm, intonation, dynamics etc. :) I'm glad you enjoyed this tutorial! ;)
I love this tutorial :) Best wishes for 2015 !
Thank you so much, Daniel! Happy New Year!!! :)))
you helped me a lot. thank you
You are very welcome! :)
You are fantastic!
Thank you so much! ;)
Thanks for this!
You're very welcome! ;)
Thanks ! Great video. I'm learning so much from you. What is the app that you use to display your music on the iPad?
You're very welcome! :) This is not an iPad, it's a very old tablet that probably needs replacing LOL. I'm using a basic pdf reader for scores, an Office app for .doc files - and a photo viewer for jpeg scores :).
Your English is immaculate for a non-native speaker!
Thank you! ;) Practice makes perfect!
I've played the piano for 13 months now and I just finished 'Knecht Ruprecht' by Schumann. Apparently I'm quite gifted. Do you think I can play this? It really is one of my favorite pieces. :)
+Yves Hi Yves! Even though this Nocturne is not super challenging from a technical point of view (with the exception of a few difficult passages), in order to play it WELL we need serious expressive skills (such as good phrasing, sound balance, intonation, micro-dynamics etc.) - that's why professionals consider this piece as 'advanced', or at least accessible for the late intermediate level. In general, it is not recommended to play Chopin if you're a beginner (during the 3-4 years of practice) - with the exception of a few pieces (such as the Waltz in A Minor, op. posth.). In other words, playing the NOTES of a piece (which you probably can do at this point) does not equal mastering a piece properly (and playing it freely and artistically, without clumsiness, rigidity and expressive mistakes) - this is only the first step of the journey! ;) You can learn more by watching my detailed tutorials available on PianoCareerAcademy.com.
PianoCareer Thank you for your response :) Yeah, it's probably better taking one step at a time.
Very useful, thanks
You're welcome!
Could you speak to the difference between certain bars in the sheet you're using here and other sheets available? Two specific examples would be in bars 7 & 8. On your sheet: In bar 7, the C# is tied throughout the first half of the measure. In other sheets: The C# is played again after the initial half note. Second: In bar 8, the left hand of the sheet in this video shows the initial bass note as a D# whereas other sheets show an F#. What is the significance of these differences and how is one to determine the 'true' script?
M L Hi! There are several editions of this Nocturne (with minor differences between them) - as I explain in my article about this piece: www.pianocareer.com/piano-practice/chopin-nocturne-c-sharp-minor-piano-tutorial/ (this link can also be found in the Description Box) :).
Thank you for all your advices they are all so useful ❤️ could you please make a tutorial for "The Little Negro" by Claude Debussy thank you very muuuch 💕💕💕💕
+Bouchra Rodriguez Thank you so much for your appreciation! :) Regarding your tutorial request - I dedicate my entire work time to my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com, where I post new detailed video tutorials every week (by the way, you can find out more about the functionality of PianoCareerAcademy by reading our detailed FAQs [www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/]). For this reason, I can post free TH-cam tutorials only once in 4-6 months - and as a result, I try to select a piece (or a topic) that would benefit as many of my subscribers as possible. So I cannot make any promises - but I certainly hope to find the time to analyze this piece in one of my future tutorials :).