Your videos addressing the fundamentals of how to play arpeggios and scales are presented in a way that's refreshing and easy to understand. Many people teach that there is only one way to play scales which is basically passing the thumb under the hand. What you have highlighted is that playing scales faster requires a modified hand position and diminished pressure on the keys and, as simple as that is to understand it is often a serious roadblock for students unless a talented pianist is willing and capable of explaining exactly how that is done, mechanically. In my experience, it's the pounding thumb creating unwanted accents while playing scales and arpeggios that needs serious understanding and taming. Your videos are greatly appreciated.
Yes, very helpful, especially the tips on how to practice to achieve the evenness and lightness in the Chopin passage. That could apply to many other passages! Thank you again, Dennis!
I remember thinking and hovering my hands over the keys in the direction of the scales. I pointed this out to my teacher who said, well, seems like you came to a technique I don't need to teach you now. So, I started playing the scales whith little wrist movement by simply sliding my hands in that direction. I also realized I could overcome those punctuation of the thumb by aiming the punctuation to other fingers. Those punctuation never really happened, but it got rid of the thumb breaking the scales. Quite interesting
Hi Denis that was very helpful for me who has exchanged many times with you about my RH thumb issue. I have not played the piano for months because of other priorities and am practicing on the table while watching your video.
This area of hand usage is one of the most valuable areas for me. Thumb usage is seminal. Great guidance and attractive presentation. I'm doing and working on your tips, changing positions by forearm lateral motion. Thanks for the note on thumb direction, last phalanx. In my jazz scores, I need to bracket the thumb on 2 notes frequently and for wide chords, of course. But I am trying to gently curve thumb in line with the keys, for the reasons you suggest. After extending thumb it can become a habit to keep it there, rather than immediately relaxing. I will watch for this when possible. One thing, my technique now comes from a defaulted higher wrist position and lowering it as needed. I am finding a lot of success with this which puts the fingers and thumb more vertically at times, playing of fingertips, as the tips seem more intuitive and brain connected than my pads. All your technique teaching applies across the board for my arranged jazz music. I like your videos and consider you the most technically adept teacher that I know of. In the top shelf of teachers, there will be some difference in approaches but all leading to same end: ergonomic and efficiency in the max. Keep these gems coming and again, thank you.
I use to have problems with constant pain/swelling in the knot at the base of my thumbs, I guess caused by bad technique (thumb under the hand?) in playing arpeggios, scales or maybe also pounding my thumbs too hard into the keys. Since watching your videos on scales (and applying your technique), I have noticed improvement . Thanks Denis!
Your videos and courses have been my inspiration for about three years now and the improvement in my playing is so gratifying. Someday I hope you can do a video on Czerny Op. 299 No. 26. Cann"t decide if I should line the notes up between right and left hands or keep them independent.
I agree wholeheartedly with @maddub. Could you please expand and post another lesson on scale work going to the center of the keyboard, both hands. Thank you for all your great work.
Thank you Denis, I have been trying to put my thumb lightly (as you demonstrated previously ) but perhaps I should have my piano serviced ,to see if that can add to the improvement I am noticing already 😅 .
Quite helpful. Thank you Denis. For me playing with my thumb at the correct angle, as you demonstrate, feels precarious, because my point of contact with the key is so small. But I will try and fix this, as I am sure it would help with my lamentably slow and uneven scales.
Great videos! I'm new to watching your channel and wondering if you have a video about voicing chords? Not sure if this topic has already come up. For example, I'm working on Scriabin sonata no 4, mvmt 1, and I'm not quite sure how to voice the left hand chords in the section measure 35-51 to bring out the melody with more clarity. The chords all have different hand shapes so I'm not quite sure how to think about the problem more generally.
Your technique series is awesome, Denis. By the way, can you do the video about where our hand's position is when playing just the white keys and the black mixing white keys?
hello! Incredible video, Ive been struggling with my thumb because I feel pain in the first phalanx from the tip, I stats aching and I have to "pop" the air inside it, and i dont know why, because I dont usually press reaching the keybed, I try to press really light to avoid any mechanical pressure, any ideas of what could it be?
It may be exactly because you avoid support at the bed of the key. Holding fingers on static tension without support at the bed of the key while hitting the key is a frequent reason for static tension. But you’d need to take a lesson from someone experienced in the physiology of piano playing to look at your playing habits closer, and it would be a great idea to visit a physical therapist just in case.
My problem now is with osteoarthritis starting in my left thumb. It usually doesn’t hurt, except whenever I play scales. I’m 63 and classically trained, so this really bothers me, especially since I have small hands and try to stick mostly to pieces that are suited for small hands.
I'm having issues with interlocking octaves, blind jumps, scales in thirds, left hand in Erklonig, coda from Chopin's Ballade No. 4, and Liszt's Grosse Konzertfantasie über spanische Weisen, S.253....otherwise...I'm good, for now.
You’re so knowledgeable Mr Denis !!!! Thanks
Brilliant and generous, as always, as you are. Many blessings!
Thank you! You too!
Very clearly explained and demonstrated. Thanks, Denis!
Loved the last part, especially!
Your videos addressing the fundamentals of how to play arpeggios and scales are presented in a way that's refreshing and easy to understand. Many people teach that there is only one way to play scales which is basically passing the thumb under the hand. What you have highlighted is that playing scales faster requires a modified hand position and diminished pressure on the keys and, as simple as that is to understand it is often a serious roadblock for students unless a talented pianist is willing and capable of explaining exactly how that is done, mechanically. In my experience, it's the pounding thumb creating unwanted accents while playing scales and arpeggios that needs serious understanding and taming. Your videos are greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your kind feedback!
Yes, very helpful, especially the tips on how to practice to achieve the evenness and lightness in the Chopin passage. That could apply to many other passages! Thank you again, Dennis!
I remember thinking and hovering my hands over the keys in the direction of the scales. I pointed this out to my teacher who said, well, seems like you came to a technique I don't need to teach you now. So, I started playing the scales whith little wrist movement by simply sliding my hands in that direction. I also realized I could overcome those punctuation of the thumb by aiming the punctuation to other fingers. Those punctuation never really happened, but it got rid of the thumb breaking the scales. Quite interesting
Great video, very helpful recommendations. Thanks for posting!
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Denis that was very helpful for me who has exchanged many times with you about my RH thumb issue. I have not played the piano for months because of other priorities and am practicing on the table while watching your video.
This area of hand usage is one of the most valuable areas for me. Thumb usage is seminal. Great guidance and attractive presentation. I'm doing and working on your tips, changing positions by forearm lateral motion. Thanks for the note on thumb direction, last phalanx. In my jazz scores, I need to bracket the thumb on 2 notes frequently and for wide chords, of course. But I am trying to gently curve thumb in line with the keys, for the reasons you suggest. After extending thumb it can become a habit to keep it there, rather than immediately relaxing. I will watch for this when possible.
One thing, my technique now comes from a defaulted higher wrist position and lowering it as needed. I am finding a lot of success with this which puts the fingers and thumb more vertically at times, playing of fingertips, as the tips seem more intuitive and brain connected than my pads. All your technique teaching applies across the board for my arranged jazz music.
I like your videos and consider you the most technically adept teacher that I know of. In the top shelf of teachers, there will be some difference in approaches but all leading to same end: ergonomic and efficiency in the max. Keep these gems coming and again, thank you.
Thank you Denis., for this very interesting and helpful video! Blessings to you!
You are very welcome! Thank you for commenting!
Классное видео, спасибо. Сколько усилий пошло на борьбу с первым пальцем!
Very helpful. Thanks.
Excelente!!!
Tens algum video falando sobre escolas/arpejos descendentes?
At the end of this video about arpeggios:
th-cam.com/video/P8VppWnS4Ao/w-d-xo.html
There are also two videos on scales in this channel
I use to have problems with constant pain/swelling in the knot at the base of my thumbs, I guess caused by bad technique (thumb under the hand?) in playing arpeggios, scales or maybe also pounding my thumbs too hard into the keys. Since watching your videos on scales (and applying your technique), I have noticed improvement . Thanks Denis!
Very happy to hear this!
Your videos and courses have been my inspiration for about three years now and the improvement in my playing is so gratifying. Someday I hope you can do a video on Czerny Op. 299 No. 26. Cann"t decide if I should line the notes up between right and left hands or keep them independent.
Thank you, I am very happy to hear this!😊
It has sense to practice both version for a few days and see which one feels better.
I agree wholeheartedly with @maddub. Could you please expand and post another lesson on scale work going to the center of the keyboard, both hands. Thank you for all your great work.
Yes, very helpful ! Thanks
Thank you Denis, I have been trying to put my thumb lightly (as you demonstrated previously ) but perhaps I should have my piano serviced ,to see if that can add to the improvement I am noticing already 😅 .
This was helpful. Thanks 😂
Quite helpful. Thank you Denis. For me playing with my thumb at the correct angle, as you demonstrate, feels precarious, because my point of contact with the key is so small. But I will try and fix this, as I am sure it would help with my lamentably slow and uneven scales.
Glad it was helpful! Give it a few days of slow careful practice, and it might get very comfortable!
Thanks
Great videos! I'm new to watching your channel and wondering if you have a video about voicing chords? Not sure if this topic has already come up. For example, I'm working on Scriabin sonata no 4, mvmt 1, and I'm not quite sure how to voice the left hand chords in the section measure 35-51 to bring out the melody with more clarity. The chords all have different hand shapes so I'm not quite sure how to think about the problem more generally.
Great suggestion, will do shortly
Your technique series is awesome, Denis. By the way, can you do the video about where our hand's position is when playing just the white keys and the black mixing white keys?
That’s a nice suggestion, thank you!
hello! Incredible video, Ive been struggling with my thumb because I feel pain in the first phalanx from the tip, I stats aching and I have to "pop" the air inside it, and i dont know why, because I dont usually press reaching the keybed, I try to press really light to avoid any mechanical pressure, any ideas of what could it be?
It may be exactly because you avoid support at the bed of the key. Holding fingers on static tension without support at the bed of the key while hitting the key is a frequent reason for static tension. But you’d need to take a lesson from someone experienced in the physiology of piano playing to look at your playing habits closer, and it would be a great idea to visit a physical therapist just in case.
My problem now is with osteoarthritis starting in my left thumb. It usually doesn’t hurt, except whenever I play scales. I’m 63 and classically trained, so this really bothers me, especially since I have small hands and try to stick mostly to pieces that are suited for small hands.
I'm having issues with interlocking octaves, blind jumps, scales in thirds, left hand in Erklonig, coda from Chopin's Ballade No. 4, and Liszt's Grosse Konzertfantasie über spanische Weisen, S.253....otherwise...I'm good, for now.
Uh
That’s a top-tier list of struggles one could never be ashamed of😅
I wanted to ask whether you plan on releasing a course on cortots rationale of piano playing?
I plan to release a course on my method!
Sarebbe molto interessante un video sull'uso del pollice sui tasti neri ,nelle varie combinazioni possibili!
Just intentionally googled your first thumb video a few hours ago
🤯😲🥰
@@DenZhdanovPianist доброго вечора ми з України 🤯