How my teacher reworked my piano technique
Vložit
- čas přidán 24. 08. 2022
- ✅ Check out PIANO LAB apparel: my-store-bce46e.creator-sprin...
✅Enjoyed this video? Consider donating to the channel: paypal.me/practicalpianotechn...
✅ Become a Patron and unlock exclusive content: / pianolab40
✅ If you have any requests for future videos don't forget to leave them in the comments below!
✅ Thanks for watching and make sure and SUBSCRIBE for new content every week: / @piano_lab
✅ Inquiries about online piano lessons with Craig via Skype can be sent to craig@craigsmusiclessons.com
#pianolab #pianolesson #pianotechnique
Excellent video - really appreciated the last part where you talked about minimising movements and letting the fingers work! Great way to re-work your technique! And that’s exactly how I would teach too 👏🏻
Grateful here. 10-15 yrs combined piano work with gaps between in person teachers whose advice now appears suspect in some regards. Developed some inefficiencies from poor form. Musical sensibility was already on board; what I needed was a technique that was not limiting, that is, limited only by the extremes of biomechanics, anatomy and physiology. It has come pretty quickly; very satisfied as I'm not looking for some key secret that will magically allow me play like Argerich in a few lessons, weeks or months. Long game.
@@DavidMiller-bp7et nice nice. How would u say this video does in covering the stuff? Does it touch in everything? What does it skip over?
@@DavidMiller-bp7et edit: not detailed explanations I mean, but in terms of just mentioning things that can be looked into later
@@mihailmilev9909 Thanks for the comment. This is one video where C hits the general points of how his teacher helped him remove serious impediments to his progress due to inefficient movements and posture.
I started following Craig's tutorials about 6 months ago as I was upgrading my entire approach to piano from the foundation of posture to the fingertips. My bad habits were ingrained and clearly retarding my progress. Plus, I seriously injured my left hip and sciatic complex due to bad posture.
Being naturally skeptical of online stuff based on other sites, I didn't realize how much subscribing would help me without any downside that I have experienced. When you subscribe the channel now automatically loads all of his tutorials from the beginning. Around 90 over 3 years.
In these lessons he goes into more detail about each aspect which this video summarizes. I took them one at a time and applied them to my practice/playing, slowly at first, and my technique was overhauled in a couple months. It assumes that you can read some music, decipher and execute rhythms, know the difference between a B flat and a bagel. Those are things common to music but technique is specific to the instrument, piano in this case.
So, if you haven't already done so, hit the subscribe button and get his full catalog up in one window so you can pick and choose what you want to work on. Scales, arpeggios, arm weight and touch, lateral forearm movement which he call "shifting." That was my biggest helping technique for navigation, it corrected my wrist twisting, hand and finger stretching and inefficient fingerings which resulted in unnecessary tension over the space of weeks and months.
Besides tutoring, the channel gives us a great gift, to talk about the lessons and our experiences, perhaps some clarifying minor details which Craig fails to nail down with his usual, "as much as possible." Talking among ourselves, we learn from each other, discover new outside resources and all.
I hope my observations are helpful, which I believe is also Craig's motivation. Again, thanks for the conversation. This give us all a chance to communicate internationally, a gift in itself.
@@mihailmilev9909 See my other reply. Piano playing is as complex as anyone wants to make it. This tutorial covers the basics of efficient and healthy piano technique. The finer points can't be covered in one short video.
Subscribe! to see all the lessons in one window. Pick your chocolates from the box.
2 years of playing piano but I still can't get over how to play without having my fingers and hand stiff..
Ur wrists moves the most, ur fingers after, than ur arms. It also depends, im playing Mozart so i have to use my arm and wrist alot. But with Chopin ur hand position is way easier and better feeling.
@@Aleksandr_Skrjabin I appreciate the advice
Try focusing on your breathing. It's over looked a lot and is a fundamental when it comes to playing without tension and phrasing properly. That's why it's used in yoga so much!
Don't use strength to press the keys, use the weight of your fingers to press down on them and keep everything else relaxed so that when you move your arms it's as if they are wobbling around
@@Aleksandr_Skrjabin idk man Chopin is pretty well known for having quite awkward passages with close together notes, so your hand position isn’t as comfortable as it is whilst playing Mozart, and let’s not forget the fact that tension in the wrists can be quite important for certain pieces depending on the piece you’re playing. Also just from looking at piano playing from a logical perspective your fingers will always move more then your wrists will
I have played for several years and just got a new proper classical piano instructor and she is spending so much time with me trying to relax me. And oddly I am starting to realize I am tense with a lot of things that I do in life, clenching my jaw, stiffening my neck, etc. I am actually quite happy to have started to realize that.
I'm a piano teacher and I approve this message! 😍
do you give online Classes ??
Trust in Jesus y’all he is the only way. Trust that he died for our sins on the cross!!!
@@zerocostproductions8623 I guess not
As I'm hearing this I'm so glad that after being self taught for a year my teacher told me that mostly my technique was alright just not polished enough😅
Trust in Jesus y’all he is the only way. Trust that he died for our sins on the cross!!!
@@BrodyStagwhat does this have to do with anything 😭
@@D41SYYYYYY 😳 literally everything 😭😭
Fellow commenters, reason why to take a teacher.
*1.* Beacause its not about being able to play a piece, but about how to play it.
*2.* Finger settings are important, they have numbers from 1 to 5 on pieces for a reason. (sometimes)
*3.* Beacause the teacher gives u pieces u dont like to play, but will help u being able to play more on the right way.
*4.* He gives u a goal to reach for the next time he comes back again, and he might tells u some history about the Composer or its piece.
Reasons not to get a teacher:
Way too expensive.
@@lifenote1943 Much more it won't become
I started the piano at 11, and I'm now almost 22 and still play. I agree and would advise anyone interested in the piano to at least start their journey with a teacher. You *can* use free resources online too, but it's honestly incomparable to have someone physically present with you to tell you immediately where your technique is wrong, tips and tricks on how to fix your specific issues, and focus on your individual interests/goals. Especially if you're new to music theory or reading sheet music, having a teacher can help it to make so much more sense than looking online, and you can ask immediate questions.
It can be expensive, but it's so worth it. Good technique doesn't just make it easier to play, it also physically protects your wrists and fingers from potential injury, so it's really important to set the right foundations. I stopped taking formal piano lessons at around 16, but because of those 5 years of formal instruction, I can now play whatever I want as an adult.
Omg like two years of practice in one short! Thanks for sharing ❤ super insighful, especially with the addendum in the end
Thank you for answering! Imagine the surprise when I came to watch and saw my screen name in the video 😄 She sounds like a great teacher. I’m currently reworking my technique using gravity free falls (drops). Thanks again!
Why did I think you were the teacher
This is very useful for people who learn without teacher. Thank you for sharing
Craig is "a teacher."
Your teacher sounds amazing!
As a classical pianist studying performance, I have to say your technique now looks very healthy and wonderful, I'm glad your teacher was able to make your playing more fluid and relaxed looks wonderful!
I mean, that's great, if you can find and afford a teacher who knows what they're talking about. I've been teaching myself for about 8 months now, and I'm pretty sure outside of my curved fingers, my technique isn't great. But outside of just getting a teacher to tell me how and why it isn't, I don't know how else to try and work on it. I do want to get a teacher, but living in a rural area, there's only so many available. I contacted all the ones I could, and they either didn't have any spaces or were too expensive. All this video does is tell me that I should just be more relaxed, but it doesn't tell me how to work on and improve that.
If you check out my channel, I have dozens of videos on many different topics on technique. Probably there are some that could give you more detailed information. Hope that helps.
Benny Anderson from Abba taught himself how to play the piano.I dont recall him using these techniques.
If you really want to learn to play correctly, and safely, I highly recommend you take a look at this video:
czcams.com/video/s0fFVGzBFqc/video.html
The charming and very gifted teacher will introduce you to the basic techniques
of real piano playing. She offers many detailed free tutorials on CZcams. She is the real deal and these are by far the best lessons I’ve seen online.😎🎹
Curved fingers are GOOD!! As long as your top joints aren't collapsing (keep them straight) it beats curled fingers every time. Curling pulls long muscles tightly over your wrist and your wrist don't like that, at all
@@douwemusic Oh, I know they're good. It's why I got in the habit of doing it as soon as I started playing, since I was looking up stuff before I got my piano. The book that I have also explains the importance of curved fingers. But I guess I can't truly know if my technique is any good till I get a teacher (Been looking for one but all of em in my area are full up atm)
I'm 14 and I've played the piano for 1.6 years and I still didn't know about this technique. Thanks so much
Lovely. She was a great teacher.
Wow, i learn a lot from this single video. Thank you
Can you please teach us those exercises she taught you? Thank you for this video!
Trust in Jesus y’all he is the only way. Trust that he died for our sins on the cross!!!
Most people aren't that humble lol
I completely forgot this stuff since I haven’t had professional teaching in years and I stopped playing for a bit. This helped so much
The Chopin technique is without a doubt the best technique for playing piano, and as a pianist, you and your teacher get a gold seal of approval for learning it 😄
What do you mean the Chopin technique?
As a student who learns at home by youtube, this is the most difficult skill to learn. In small movements my fingers are ok but when I try fast and big movement, my fingers look awkward. I hope I will be better by practicing. (I play piano for 3 years and yeah i need a teacher i guess but can’t effort it so 😅)
Craig and a few others are excellent "teachers." Subscribe to pull up his full array of tutorials on all kinds of topics relating to piano technique. There are scores of valuable topics covered. Find the right level of music for your skill level and progress forward. C has one vidio just on the value of slow practice. Can't be overemphasized.
Good teacher, good student
Quite valuable, bringing it together, again....
You have helped me rework my technique in just a few months, but again, I really work at your specific considerations. Though about 10-15 years at the keyboard, I started over as a beginner and it came really fast. That's because I started SLOW.
Leaving today for Tacoma where my kids live, near UPS.
I think including some of the music you're playing in shorts would make the vids more appealing. Seeing the footage without the sound is like a tease.
Agreed. Looking at specific movements to overcome common challenges is indicated to demonstrate how it actually works.
For anyone who’s done this, his description is very accurate. It is hard work all around but so worth it.
This might inspire me to improve my own technique!
Thank you for this!!!
Proper teacher.
That helped. Now I can play it all.
SOOO GOOD!!!! amazing that you had a wonderful teacher.
I"ve been playing for years by myself but never saw a teacher, i really need to see one lol. Pretty sure i have some bad habits due to self learning and i dont even know them. Great video !
That's such a good teacher you had! Any tips on tackling pieces like chopin etude op 10 no 1, my forearm just refuse to cooperate around the end of second page : / I feel like i'm trying too hard to play each and every note, creating unnecessary tension.
You're probably keeping your thumb extended and tense. Aswell as that it's likely you're moving your wrist side to side. Focus a lot on your thumb and make sure it stays close to your hand after you've played the start of each arpeggio, also try and use forearm rotation instead of pivoting your wrist
You are a great teacher! Thank you for this. ❤
Iam horrified... iam a beginner ... my teacher does almost make no comments about my posture. Iam already 40+ years old and playing for 2 years, but I cannot believe iam doing everything correct... hmmm.
I asked him about it a while ago and he stayed if he sees things that are very wrong he tells me.
All very good points, so us students can not only play comfortably, but also how we'll enjoy playing the piano for the longest time.
That cheeky Moszkowski at the end ... I see you 👀
I am largely self taught from the age of 15, so coming up to 9 years. And having hypermobility in my joints certainly hindered the weaker points of my technique. So once I had formal training at a Conservatoire, I went from playing with very little to no musicality to (what I hope) is far more easygoing technique, enough to do push-ups for the musicality side of things (so to speak).
I definitely agree with the jist of your video, relaxed motions, fixations on each category of movement, building neurones bit by bit. There is slow technique, and fast technique. So definitely practise and hone those ballistic movements, and ballistic movements without physical damage/recoil only come from a solid fundamental, physical technique.
Happy playing, people.
Very good practice and technique.
Yeah i need help with ALL of these aspects. 😭
You and everybody else, to one extent or another.
You have a great teacher!!
I got to rcm level 8 in 2 years and then switched to a new teacher and I had the same situation as you and after I fixed my technique I jumped to level 10
Sounds very plausible; similar situation with me.
That is a beautiful piano.
Thank you! I needed this!
This is amazing. I just wish my teacher would teach this as well. Personally, as I learned increasingly harder pieces, my teacher looks at her phone more often, and would mutter, "Yes, yes, very nice" or count as I play, and it feels limiting overall. Glad to see this though.
Wow! Never seen or heard of a Pearl River piano before, but it looks simply amazing. Lacquered black will always be classy and in style in my mind.
I had the same issues. After 7 years I moved to a new teacher from Ukraine and it was the best thing I did. She is now correcting all the bad habits and it’s going to take a year. Initially I was so upset that his happened. But later I understood I learnt a big lesson in my life that I can pass onto others…
You really do learn everyday😯
So it involves less smacking your hands with a ruler than one would think 🤔
My kind of comment, "than one would think."
Great short video
Благодарю за полезную информацию! Учусь играть на пианино и ваши видео мне очень помогают! Спасибо.
Great video and I have to say this is what you can’t learn through simply piano app, or flow key to name a few.
Good content
My teacher also said, but unluckily i worked with her just 3 years
Yay A Pearl River !
When I started taking lessons. I asked to focus on rhythm exercises and technique because I knew that's what I would benefit the most from in person lessons.... We did neither 🤷♂️
I'm teaching myself. But I have taken in a lot of information about how to relax and improve technique and I practice scales and arpeggios to refine my technique.
After decades of playing and 7-8 in person teachers, which I now judge to be too much time spent on what others want. In other words, most teachers weren't very effective. Craig is a great online way to help us improve working independently.
I wanna rework my technique too … but I can’t find a proper teacher to help me out …..😢
Craig has listed a full technique course in chronological order going back 3 years. Subscribe and you will get the full list.
Relatable!!! How do you find a good teacher? 🙏
@@jonny-liuRing the music shops or universities in your area. They will have lists of good teachers.
I'm a drummer and part time pianist... I've tried to fix my problems on the piano. My main problem is stiffness. Here is the thing though, drummers are supposed to be relaxed to allow them to play faster and less tense and I don't have a problem with that
Takes a while and a practice regimen that works on those specific issues.
thank you
I'm completely new to playing piano, but it seems like it's gonna be easier for me to avoid tension. Before this, for years I've practicing my aim in FPS games, so during that time I've already fixed the issue of tension in my right hand completely
Good job.. 👍
Controlled relaxation is the key. 🔑 If you are stiff and tense, your playing will only go so far, and you risk serious injury. 😎🎹
Very nicely said. Stiffness and tension will limit one's progress, sometimes seriously.
Something that I always wished my parents did for me, but secretly glad I never did. I play an electronic keyboard, sit cross crossed on my bed, can read sheet music or play by ear but must see what I'm playing on the keys... I'm now 40 and been playing since I was 5.
If you can read music and improv off charts and play by ear, you have some very rare gifts. Most can't do all of the above without really working hard at it, meaning it's not natural or easy. Gifts, musical and otherwise, are an interesting topic.
I taught myself piano starting when i was 12 and immediately took to it, so by the time I started taking lessons at 22, I could play a fair few Chopin and Debussy pieces. My piano teacher couldn't believe I was self taught and only made a few minor adjustments (curling finger in more and posture). I learned all of my technique by watching great professional performers play and trying to emulate what they did.
My sight reading skills however.... needed work 😂
I had the exact same experience! Mine always told me I needed to play with more weight or force in my forearms and would press down on them while I played which never ended well. It's been 15 years since I saw her last and I still don't have a clue what she meant or how to have more downward force than I already use.. She couldn't find words to explain it any other way and would get frustrated. This is in the back of my mind every time I play. I was kinda hoping after she died she'd come and help me. Lol
Where can I get a teacher like this🥲🤌??
Sounds like a good teacher
Damn that's a great short!
I was expecting to hear some bullshit like I hear with lots of videos of this kind but this is true!
Great explanation for everything you did too
Agree. Makes sense, at least to me.
I had the same problem, and to make matters worse, my posture in general was very bad, meaning my wrists weren't just stiff because my technique was bad, but also the muscles were very stiff, which you cannot fix by just playing differently. The solution for me was to seek out a physical therapist who gave me exercises to increase the strength in my neck and shoulders. Luckily this made my wrists way more mobile and I was subsequently able to alter my technique to be more relaxed as a result
Nice, I'm working on this too :)
My teacher has currently been doing the exact same things with me. Pretty much in this order.
Technique is also very important in MMA.
Excellent point, though not my bag. Technique is important with all contexts that involve coordinated body movement. "Contact" delivered with the bones aligned end to end from the strongest foundations possible. Good analogy.
@@DavidMiller-bp7et I like your distinction, anything involving body movement (any movement/physics really) because it made me think even thinking is body movement in a way. Firing neurons and such. I think it works the same. Some of the highest IQ people with strong brains arent as successful/happy because they are app processing power no technique or ways of thinking or figuring out.
@@nickkings7881 Complex and hazy but your focus on technique is a good thing. Practiced responses which somehow collect in muscle memory and what become "patterns of thinking."
It has come to mind in this context. Years ago I studied Japanese karate. Part to the power in the moment of striking a blow, punch, knee, elbow, kick, delivers maximum force when delivered when bones in the movement are aligned behind each other, end to end. Piano is like that in that when a key is struck, not just the finger but all the bones behind it should be aligned as much as possible, even the joints of the finger should be stiffened, backed up by knuckle bridge and wrist, forearm connected to upper arm and shoulder, delivered from stable posture, feet on the floor, all parts supporting the finger delivery. A lot of words, for something no longer my bag, but your analogy is good. More MMA folks should study piano. Well done.
Sometimes I just think I should smoke a joint before I practice piano so that I am more relaxed 😅 this is a lifelong struggle
Tension creeps in, a variety of places in the body. I find it's when I feel less confident.
Wish there would be for violin too
Probably the same everywhere.
Not sure if this was covered in the previous video, but I suggest showing us a difference between stiff body and relaxed one by demonstration. It's easier for us to know the difference. But this post really helps nonetheless!
Ojalá que sólo esos aspectos resolvieran los increíbles problemas con los pasajes rápidos.
This really helped... Is there a full course on CZcams breaking all these down lol... I'd like to work on myself as well 😿
I never had a lesson I literally probably use the wrong fingers I’m always tensed when I play, my teachers in elementary school told me I couldn’t be in music class bcuz I wasn’t in the smart kid’s classes, so I just learned basic theory and played my Vibraphone to the Lp of Cal Tjader and copied melody n solos. I did however learned Salsa piano also and traveled with Latin bands to Colombia Panama etc. I said all this to say I regret that I never took lessons and learned proper fingering etc. playing would of been less painful and maybe carpal tunnel free, but I’m not complaining in spite of being self taught I didn’t do to bad, I’m 70 now this began around 8 years young🎼🎹🥁🪘PS. I’m not Latino👼🏽
Wonderful share; it all depends on what one wants to do and the resources one can afford, in money or time. Vibraphone requires musical sensibility, trained or innate.
I only had one professor who taught me the technique and taught me very persistently, Dr. Cecilia Cho. I had two other professors, but they never mentioned it, nor my pre-college piano teachers growing up. It's useful for playing Chopin or Liszt, but I don't use it a lot otherwise.
It was supposedly developed so that hands don't get tired playing more technically demanding works post-beethoven. But I remember my professor even had me use it on Bach. She seemed very zealous of the technique.
Very nice contribution to the comments.
If it's a good technique, you should be able to (and actually WANT to) use it in every piece
@@douwemusic Actually, after thinking about, I'm not really consciously using it or not using it. Just seems to kick in when I need it on more demanding literature and almost never use it for Bach and etc.
@@jaelob that's very odd, it sounds like you're talking about a small aspect of technique, not a complete technique
@@douwemusic well, sure. I mean largely using gravity to help the arm deliver force to the fingers, that seems easy enough. But the circling movements was something harder, not sure I ever mastered that in the 2 years I was taught by that professor.
But it's fair to say, when it was invented, it was never envisioned to replace the steady hand and delicate finger movements of Bach and classical period, which Bachs son wrote a large book explaining, and some Bach artists like Landowsky and Gould championed. They would work contrary to each other.
Tension... My final boss.
🔥🔥🔥
I need your teacher 😭
WHO IS YOUR TEACHERRRRR???? No, I'm serious. I actually might want to take from her.
check out the golandsky institute, they teach the taubman approach which is the same concept
Where does your piano teacher live? I really want to take lessons with her.
Why not consider Craig your teacher? You won't find better sessions and metrics.
@@DavidMiller-bp7et Maybe I will :) I will email him.
Yeah my teacher keeps saying I’m stiff too but she only says to relax like it’s that easy to just stay relaxed 😭
Wrist bow / roll - key turn
I'm stuck exactly on those movements! :(, any tips on how to understand how to practice / learn that? I have no clue at all...
Could you make a video about how to record the sound when playing piano? Because I always record my play and there are always echoes in there.
Some of those Pearl River pianos are very nice, particularly the ones with quality control by the likes of Yamaha.
Congratualtions on overcoming some problems in technique. Modern music pianists are very prone to such problems, since they often develop their style on their own, and have to improvise at gigs. I keep reminding myself to be more relaxed, but never often enough.
Right on. With so many people going it on their own, bad habits automatically develop. Sometimes the less efficient teachers teach or allow bad stuff.
Nice, but you don't need to tuck your thumb underneath your palm in scales, that gives you tension. Move your arm horizontally and the thumb will be in the right place.
I hear you. Lateral forearm movement is the key to upper body technique; it gets one in position for what happens with hand and fingers. I do anticipate thumb under but not very far.
Toward the end, you were talking about rotation... At one point, your right hand was vertical with your palm showing. Do you have a video explaining rotation that demonstrates the technique as shown at the end of this video, please?
Watch some of the Golandsky Institute videos! If you just type Golandsky rotation you'll find plenty. The scales ones are the most fundamental.
@@douwemusic Very good tutorials, slow, deliberate, details explained, easy to follow. It takes patience and discipline to start out that slow and deliberate. They were very helpful to me in addition to Craig's tutorials. Different personalities.
Weldone sir
Pls how do u play fast
May I know what is the used of black key,PLS.thnku🥰
I think one of the ways piano teachers fail us is by demanding too much. They want you to be the concert pianist they couldn't be so they hyper focus on posture, classical training, and 100% accuracy. I've seen many people who take lessons give up in frustration and never touch a piano again but I've seen self taught pianists come out being some of the best piano players I've ever met tearing up a gig. Rarely anyone is going to be that 1 in 100,000 savant professional concert pianist and honestly I don't know many people who go into lessons with that in mind. If you enjoy learning and play what you like you will develop the posture you need to be the player you want to be.
I have one Piano teatcher online and he Never speak about this with me😅
Gravity based technique. Dr. Worth.
who's your teacher? she's a genius 😮
when you realize you have been playing the wrong way for all this time...
Can you please tell me how to play notes that are far enough that you need to use your index and pinky at the same time. My pinky hurts...
Damn! After a year…
how many keyin that piano?
What music school did you go to? I want to become the best I can at piano. I’ve been playing for a year already but I wanna be even better than I am
I can play very good piano and I'm not bragging. But my problem is I lack knowledge of music theory. It's just my hands that are good. But I cannot improvise at all. I'm looking for a good teacher, or a good course to know music theory by heart. Any tips?
Good story. Improv is kind of a natural endowment, but people can learn by work; most natural improvisors never learned much how to do it. Theory is important. There are books out there which can be found at any music store or online sales. It's the way started, more decades ago than I care to name. I know people who are naturally endowed with hand eye coordination for reading or overall command, but they can't do other things well. Errol Garner and others could not read music notation, they excelled at what was natural for them.
Everything you said sounds like one big euphemism