A common mistake that teachers do when teaching an adult is mentioning that position and posture have not to be strict rules. The ultimate goal with positioning and posture is relaxation and when you say to an adult "do exactly this, not this" they will mimic it, thus fixing their body and creating tension. You missed this part and trust me, as a violin beginner and piano intermediate at this point, i know how it feels to follow those rules and how much harm you do to your playing and body when you are not feeling free. Change the rule about the hand position and body posture to "see how you are feeling relaxed, your body speaks to you and places the fingers with no tension on a normal shape on the piano, just try to guide it to this shape and not fixate it, and about posture, yes this distance is what we teach, this angle is generally good , this elbow elevation often helps guide the hand, but try to feel relaxed at all times and don't pay too much attention on the posture. Sometimes the music itself guides you, your body almost dances with it, just try to remember what is generally recommended and stay relaxed".
Yes, I totally agree, and I generally do make this distinction. In some of my longer live streams I talk about Piano posture I always emphasize that it’s important to return to a neutral position, but that flexibility is key otherwise tension develops. In videos where I’m just making one point about Piano posture, I don’t always go into the whole spiel, but we’re on the same page!
Good Advice. You described my situation as an adult beginner. I started because I wanted to play Passacaglia, I like it so much. I got to page 30 of Alfred's Adult Piano book and stopped because of boredom, and started learning to play all the simple melodies of the music I love. I realize I cannot ignore foundational building blocks and will work on sight reading and getting back to the piano book. I will not give up on my progress on Passacaglia, but continue all the other disciplines as well. I have decided to spend the extra time to do all of it! I realize now that I cannot ignore my need to exercise discipline. Actually, this whole process is so good for the mind!
Yes! I’m so glad this resonated and was helpful for you! Sounds like you’re going to make some changes that will really help you! Woo! Also - if you’re not already in the free 4 day class coming up in September, it sounds like that would also be a really good fit for you. Replays are available or you can attend life once you register. The link is here: www.ashleejyoung.com/pianopracticelab
which passacaglia? i suggest you ask chatgpt to give the piece a ranking based on ABRSM (or alike system) ranking system, it will give you a general idea of how difficult the piece is (not always accurate tho, varies alot based on personal exp)
I enrolled in a CZcams website where he teaches a lot of classical pieces. This is Handel's Passacaglia and he calls it EASY. I don't think it is easy but he was a concert pianist. To be honest this is what keeps me going. Jumping octaves on the left hand and arpeggios on the right hand. Makes me feel like I am doing something worthwhile. I figured out the hanging weight from the arms on my own after realizing I was hunching up in the shoulders. If you are serious you become aware of these things. But still need a teacher here and there.@@breadstuff
Hi, I'd not heard of Passacaglia before, just had a listen to a few renditions on CZcams, what a nice piece, really interesting. Your musical journey sounds similar to mine, I only started playing as I wanted to play Cannon in D (cliche I know), I'm always finding new pop-songs to play, and would find a structured piano book torturous! That being said, I guess I'm here because I'm hitting the wall with my self taught technique! Happy playing!
1.) 0:29 Playing music that is too difficult. Remedy: work on those complicated pieces but also do Sightreading. 2.) 3:10 Ignoring posture and setup. Remedy: elbows at 90 degrees with bench. Elbows level with keys. 3.) 4:56 poor hand shape. Remedy: make sure fingers are rounded. 4.) 7:00 thinking technical exercises will fix the technique. Remedy: you must have good technique before doing exercises. A teacher is necessary for this step since beginners don’t know what is wrong with their technique. 5.) 8:44 ignoring rhythm or steady beat. Remedy: count out loud and use the metronome.
Merci for the time stamps. I've watched several of her videos, so she was preaching to the choir. But I don't mind watching since she's helped me with so much.
This describes every self taught pianist I know. All of them have a go with the flow mindset, but their posture is so bad it holds them back and I just know it's a matter of time before they drop it, which is such a shame as this could provide them with so much more freedom if they were to put their mind to mastering the basics first! I've had classical piano lessons by a kind though strict teacher. I was encouraged to just do and leave the more advanced stuff for later. The first 6 months or so was just simple tunes, often tunes made for one hand only. Then we moved on to easy classical pieces. I could pick any song, but wasn't allowed to pick a new song till I mastered the last one
I stumbled upon this great video today. For me, the number one tip was not to skip counting out loud and the explanation you gave about rhythm and how it is important for organization and that it is a framework for your brain to organize complex information. And if you aren't doing it you aren't giving clear signals to your hands and where they need to be and when they need to be there. I am very conscious of how my brain is working and your explanation of how without counting your brain is having trouble processing where it is right now and what is coming up next and telling your fingers where they need to be and when they need to be there was pure gold. Having listened to seemingly hundreds of piano tutorial videos, this is one of the best tips I have heard. Those pauses in playing are a common problem and I haven't heard many even discuss it. And your delivery is awesome. I hope you keep making lots of videos. Thank you!
Oh my gosh! I’m so happy that resonated - that’s how my brain works too and sometimes having the why behind the instruction can really make all of the difference in the world when it comes to that information actually sinking in. I truly appreciate you taking the time to let me know, this makes me smile so much, and I’m happy to know that it was helpful to you. Thanks for the compliment as well, it means a lot! Happy practicing! And counting ;)
A worthwhile video to watch, even though you convinced me of all of these points before. But it's good to have a reminder. You are so right about sightreading, that has been the biggest help for my technnique. I've been sightreading Bach Chorales in 2 voices every day for 4 months. My teacher wants me to also play the 3 and 4 voice chorales just to help my sightreading. I started with the Faber book, but also La Méthode Rose (bilingual French/English). But I found a John Thompson Method Book (in French) and that helped me the most. It's old fashioned, but I'm an old-fashioned guy. Last month I learned the Rule of the Octave, and it's helped me to finally start singing. I sing badly, but now badly in tune. Derek Remes has a website with lots of free downloads, as well as a book that might interest you. The Art of Préluding. He has also translated Kellner, which is a book that JS Bach and CPE Bach both praised and had their students use. I started doing their exercises for cadences in 2 voices.
A common mistake that teachers do when teaching an adult is mentioning that position and posture have not to be strict rules. The ultimate goal with positioning and posture is relaxation and when you say to an adult "do exactly this, not this" they will mimic it, thus fixing their body and creating tension. You missed this part and trust me, as a violin beginner and piano intermediate at this point, i know how it feels to follow those rules and how much harm you do to your playing and body when you are not feeling free. Change the rule about the hand position and body posture to "see how you are feeling relaxed, your body speaks to you and places the fingers with no tension on a normal shape on the piano, just try to guide it to this shape and not fixate it, and about posture, yes this distance is what we teach, this angle is generally good , this elbow elevation often helps guide the hand, but try to feel relaxed at all times and don't pay too much attention on the posture. Sometimes the music itself guides you, your body almost dances with it, just try to remember what is generally recommended and stay relaxed".
Yes, I totally agree, and I generally do make this distinction. In some of my longer live streams I talk about Piano posture I always emphasize that it’s important to return to a neutral position, but that flexibility is key otherwise tension develops. In videos where I’m just making one point about Piano posture, I don’t always go into the whole spiel, but we’re on the same page!
@@AshleeYoungMusicStudio glad to hear ☺️
Good Advice. You described my situation as an adult beginner. I started because I wanted to play Passacaglia, I like it so much. I got to page 30 of Alfred's Adult Piano book and stopped because of boredom, and started learning to play all the simple melodies of the music I love. I realize I cannot ignore foundational building blocks and will work on sight reading and getting back to the piano book. I will not give up on my progress on Passacaglia, but continue all the other disciplines as well. I have decided to spend the extra time to do all of it! I realize now that I cannot ignore my need to exercise discipline. Actually, this whole process is so good for the mind!
Yes! I’m so glad this resonated and was helpful for you! Sounds like you’re going to make some changes that will really help you! Woo! Also - if you’re not already in the free 4 day class coming up in September, it sounds like that would also be a really good fit for you. Replays are available or you can attend life once you register. The link is here: www.ashleejyoung.com/pianopracticelab
which passacaglia? i suggest you ask chatgpt to give the piece a ranking based on ABRSM (or alike system) ranking system, it will give you a general idea of how difficult the piece is (not always accurate tho, varies alot based on personal exp)
I enrolled in a CZcams website where he teaches a lot of classical pieces. This is Handel's Passacaglia and he calls it EASY.
I don't think it is easy but he was a concert pianist. To be honest this is what keeps me going. Jumping octaves on the left hand and arpeggios on the right hand. Makes me feel like I am doing something worthwhile. I figured out the hanging weight from the arms on my own after realizing I was hunching up in the shoulders. If you are serious you become aware of these things. But still need a teacher here and there.@@breadstuff
I submitted my email and will attend or see later as you indicated. @@AshleeYoungMusicStudio
Hi, I'd not heard of Passacaglia before, just had a listen to a few renditions on CZcams, what a nice piece, really interesting. Your musical journey sounds similar to mine, I only started playing as I wanted to play Cannon in D (cliche I know), I'm always finding new pop-songs to play, and would find a structured piano book torturous! That being said, I guess I'm here because I'm hitting the wall with my self taught technique! Happy playing!
1.) 0:29 Playing music that is too difficult. Remedy: work on those complicated pieces but also do Sightreading.
2.) 3:10 Ignoring posture and setup. Remedy: elbows at 90 degrees with bench. Elbows level with keys.
3.) 4:56 poor hand shape. Remedy: make sure fingers are rounded.
4.) 7:00 thinking technical exercises will fix the technique. Remedy: you must have good technique before doing exercises. A teacher is necessary for this step since beginners don’t know what is wrong with their technique.
5.) 8:44 ignoring rhythm or steady beat. Remedy: count out loud and use the metronome.
Thanks!
Merci for the time stamps. I've watched several of her videos, so she was preaching to the choir. But I don't mind watching since she's helped me with so much.
Proper posture, etc. is important in golf, too.
Indeed!!!
This describes every self taught pianist I know. All of them have a go with the flow mindset, but their posture is so bad it holds them back and I just know it's a matter of time before they drop it, which is such a shame as this could provide them with so much more freedom if they were to put their mind to mastering the basics first!
I've had classical piano lessons by a kind though strict teacher. I was encouraged to just do and leave the more advanced stuff for later. The first 6 months or so was just simple tunes, often tunes made for one hand only. Then we moved on to easy classical pieces. I could pick any song, but wasn't allowed to pick a new song till I mastered the last one
That is the *ideal* path if an adult is starting from scratch!
Another excellent piano tutorial beneficial to beginners. thank you thank you
excellent advices, Ashlee. Thank you ! I shall come back to this video every once in a while
Oh good! I’m glad it was helpful :)
Those advices are awesome! Your channel deserves much more views, likes, subs. Thank you a lot for helping us to become better!
Thank you so much for the kind words and for taking the time to say so! I truly appreciate you! How did you find the video?
Always so thought provoking and inspiring! Fabulous video!
Thank you so so so much! Means the world coming from you :)
I stumbled upon this great video today. For me, the number one tip was not to skip counting out loud and the explanation you gave about rhythm and how it is important for organization and that it is a framework for your brain to organize complex information. And if you aren't doing it you aren't giving clear signals to your hands and where they need to be and when they need to be there. I am very conscious of how my brain is working and your explanation of how without counting your brain is having trouble processing where it is right now and what is coming up next and telling your fingers where they need to be and when they need to be there was pure gold. Having listened to seemingly hundreds of piano tutorial videos, this is one of the best tips I have heard. Those pauses in playing are a common problem and I haven't heard many even discuss it. And your delivery is awesome. I hope you keep making lots of videos. Thank you!
Oh my gosh! I’m so happy that resonated - that’s how my brain works too and sometimes having the why behind the instruction can really make all of the difference in the world when it comes to that information actually sinking in. I truly appreciate you taking the time to let me know, this makes me smile so much, and I’m happy to know that it was helpful to you. Thanks for the compliment as well, it means a lot! Happy practicing! And counting ;)
A worthwhile video to watch, even though you convinced me of all of these points before. But it's good to have a reminder. You are so right about sightreading, that has been the biggest help for my technnique. I've been sightreading Bach Chorales in 2 voices every day for 4 months. My teacher wants me to also play the 3 and 4 voice chorales just to help my sightreading.
I started with the Faber book, but also La Méthode Rose (bilingual French/English). But I found a John Thompson Method Book (in French) and that helped me the most. It's old fashioned, but I'm an old-fashioned guy.
Last month I learned the Rule of the Octave, and it's helped me to finally start singing. I sing badly, but now badly in tune. Derek Remes has a website with lots of free downloads, as well as a book that might interest you. The Art of Préluding. He has also translated Kellner, which is a book that JS Bach and CPE Bach both praised and had their students use. I started doing their exercises for cadences in 2 voices.
Yes!! Love your updates so much! This is really great!
I like it😊❤
Very interesting!👍👍🎼🎶🎹
👍🏻
@@AshleeYoungMusicStudio Warm greetings and respect.🙂
Great advice, Great video thanks!
You’re welcome! Thanks for taking the time to say so!