Piano Lessons- Music Theory Lessons

A viewer from the UK, Max, posed an intriguing question: Who are the three greatest living pianists? At first, I scoffed at the idea of narrowing down all the world’s extraordinary pianists to just three. Then I had a brainstorm and came up with criteria I think you’ll find fascinating.

For this list, I limited the focus to living classical concert pianists, even though pianists of other genres also deserve recognition. At the end, I reveal the three pianists I chose based on an interesting measure. But first, let’s gain some perspective on this thought-provoking subject.

Celebrating the World’s Greatest Living Pianists

Exploring the world’s greatest living pianists is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. While ranking them definitively is impossible, several pianists have made extraordinary contributions to classical music. Here’s an overview of some of these exceptional artists:

In this video, we uncover three peculiar design differences between Asian and American pianos that might just leave you scratching your head. From unexpected keyboard heights to puzzling bench sizes, these quirks challenge conventional expectations. Join us as we delve into these intriguing mysteries and seek answers to questions that have baffled pianists worldwide.

Pianos are fascinating instruments, and some design differences can leave even seasoned players scratching their heads. Let’s dive into a few intriguing quirks between Asian and American pianos that might surprise you.

1. Keyboard Height: A Lift in Asian Pianos

Ever struggled to fit your legs comfortably under a piano? Interestingly, Asian pianos often have keyboards set slightly higher off the ground than American models. You’d think there’d be a standard height, right? But no, this variation exists, and the reason remains a bit of a mystery.

2. Bench Heights: The Lowdown

Adding to the puzzle, the benches that come with Asian pianos are generally lower than those paired with American pianos. So, higher keyboards but lower benches—what’s up with that? Considering that people in Asian countries are often of smaller stature compared to Americans and Europeans, this design choice seems counterintuitive.

3. Key Lengths: A Stretchy Situation

Here’s another subtle difference: the keys on Asian pianos are slightly longer than those on American pianos. Pianists with larger hands might find themselves accidentally hitting the fallboard when switching from, say, a Yamaha (an Asian brand) to a Steinway (an American brand). Some older pianos even have shorter keys than the current American standard.

Seeking Your Insights

These quirks—the elevated keyboards, lower benches, and longer keys in Asian pianos—raise some curious questions about piano design standards. Why do these differences exist? If you have any theories or insights, we’d love to hear them! Share your thoughts in the comments below.

At LivingPianos.com, we’re all about exploring the unique aspects of pianos and sharing that journey with you. Thanks for joining us, and we look forward to your input!

—Robert Estrin

When practicing the piano, it’s easy to get hung up on mistakes. However, shifting your focus to corrections can make a significant difference. Instead of dwelling on errors, concentrate on what needs to be done right!

Mindset Matters

Our thoughts have a powerful impact on our actions. If you’re constantly worried about messing up during a performance, that anxiety can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. On the other hand, focusing on playing well and enjoying the music can lead to a more confident and successful performance.

Making Corrections

When you hit a wrong note, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, identify the correct note and understand its place in the piece. This approach helps reinforce the right information and prevents the same mistake from happening again.

Beyond the Piano

This way of thinking isn’t just for music; it applies to everyday life too. By focusing on positive actions and outcomes, you can develop better habits and make more constructive choices. Remember: You believe what you say to yourself, so take care to reinforce what you really want with your self-talk

Wrapping Up

Remember, you have control over your thoughts. It’s one of the only true freedoms you have in life. By concentrating on corrections and positive outcomes, you can improve both your piano playing and your life itself.

Own a Piece of History: The Edison Steinway Piano with Authentic Bite Marks

Effective piano practice hinges on two fundamental pillars: expanding your repertoire and refining your music.

Expanding Your Repertoire

Continually learning new pieces is essential for growth as a pianist. Breaking down music into small sections allows for the absorption of intricate details without feeling overwhelmed. Focusing on short segments with each hand separately, ensuring all nuances are captured and committed to memory, is a productive approach. Combining both hands and gradually connecting these phrases leads to highly effective practice sessions.

Learning new music isn’t just for beginners; even seasoned pianists benefit from this practice. Each new piece broadens musical horizons and enhances technical skills.

Refining Your Music

After learning a piece, refinement is crucial. Regularly revisiting the score, playing slowly and without the pedal, allows for clear hearing of every detail. This practice reinforces memory and ensures accuracy, preventing subtle, unwanted changes that can occur over time.

Practicing without the pedal during this process is important, as it can mask imperfections. Playing without it enables you to hear the music more clearly so you can make necessary adjustments.

Conclusion

Consistently learning new music and diligently refining existing pieces form the foundation of effective piano study. Incorporating technical exercises like scales and arpeggios as well as sight-reading new material is also beneficial. However, focusing on expanding and refining your repertoire leads to significant growth in piano playing.

When diving into piano playing, a common question pops up: should you start with scales or arpeggios? Both are key to building your skills, but knowing where to begin can make your practice more effective.

What’s the Difference?

Scales: These are sequences of notes moving up or down in a set pattern of whole and half steps. Take the C major scale, for example: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and back to C. It’s like climbing a musical ladder.

Arpeggios: Think of these as broken chords. Instead of playing all the notes of a chord at once, you play them one after the other. For instance, a C major arpeggio would be C, E, G, and the higher C. It’s like spreading out the notes of a chord.

Why Start with Scales?

Kicking off with scales is a smart move for a few reasons:

Finger Coordination: Scales involve finger crossings, especially the thumb, but over shorter distances than arpeggios. This makes them a great way to get your fingers moving smoothly.

Building Blocks: Scales help you understand key signatures and finger patterns, setting you up for more complex pieces down the road.

Musical Flow: Many songs have scale-like passages. Getting comfortable with scales can make learning new tunes easier.

When to Add Arpeggios

Once you’re feeling good about scales, it’s time to mix in arpeggios. They require bigger finger movements and offer new challenges, helping you further develop your technique.

Practice Tips

Use a Metronome: Start slow, maybe at 60 beats per minute, playing one note per beat. As you get better, you can speed up.

Finger Power: Focus on using your fingers to play, not your arms. This helps with control and precision, especially as you pick up the pace.

Stay Consistent: Even just 5 to 10 minutes a day on scales and arpeggios can make a big difference over time.

In short, starting with scales gives you a solid foundation. Once you’re comfortable, adding arpeggios will round out your skills, making you a more versatile player.

Purchasing a piano is a unique experience, distinct from buying other items. Here’s why:

Longevity and Investment

Unlike appliances or electronics that become obsolete, a well-maintained piano can last generations. This longevity makes selecting the right instrument crucial, considering factors like sound, touch, size, and aesthetics to ensure it complements your space and needs.

Limited Familiarity

Many people have limited experience with pianos, making informed decisions challenging. Unlike common household items, pianos vary significantly, and acoustics can differ between showrooms and your home. It’s essential to seek expert guidance to navigate these variables.

Significant Investment

Pianos are substantial investments, often ranking among the most expensive non-essential purchases. This financial commitment underscores the importance of thorough research and professional advice to ensure a choice that brings lasting satisfaction.

Furniture and Aesthetic Considerations

Beyond being musical instruments, pianos are prominent furniture pieces. Their appearance can enhance or detract from your home’s decor. Consider the piano’s finish, style, and how it fits within your living space to avoid future regret.

Acoustic Variability

A piano’s sound can change based on its environment. A piano that sounds perfect in a showroom may differ in your home due to room size, flooring, and furnishings. Understanding this can help set realistic expectations.

Different Player’s Needs

If multiple household members will use the piano, their preferences and playing styles should influence your choice. Finding a piano that accommodates varying needs ensures it becomes a cherished addition for everyone.

Given these complexities, consulting with experienced professionals can provide valuable insights, helping you select a piano that aligns with your musical aspirations and lifestyle.

For personalized advice, feel free to reach out to me at Robert@LivingPianos.com. With a lifetime surrounded by pianos, I’m here to assist you in making an informed decision.

Welcome to Living Pianos! I’m Robert Estrin. Today, we’re talking about the law of diminishing returns when it comes to practicing scales. You might have heard about some teachers who encourage their students to practice scales for hours on end—sometimes even neglecting actual music! While scales are undeniably important, focusing exclusively on them can lead to frustration and burnout. It’s a shame to see anyone lose their love for the piano simply because they’re stuck in a monotonous practice routine.

The Essentials of Scale Practice

So, what should you focus on? First and foremost, it’s vital to learn all your major and minor scales and arpeggios, both harmonic and melodic. Mastering these scales sets the foundation for your piano journey. Once you’ve got those down, you can gradually work on increasing your speed. A great starting point might be to play your scales at 72 at 4 notes to the beat and your arpeggios at 60 with 4 notes to the beat. Then challenge yourself to speed up as you become more proficient. Remember, this is just the beginning of a lifelong journey with scales and arpeggios!

A Year of Scales

Here’s something to keep in mind: there are 12 tones on the piano, and with major scales, two types of minor scales, and both major and minor arpeggios, you’re looking at 60 different options! If you dedicated a week to each one, you’ll have them all learned in a year. So don’t feel overwhelmed; you’ve got plenty of time to tackle them all!

Expanding Your Scale Practice

Welcome to Living Pianos! I’m Robert Estrin. Today, I want to share some fascinating insights about piano stores that might surprise you. Running a piano store in today’s world comes with its own set of challenges, especially with the piano’s popularity declining over the last century.

Did you know that most piano stores don’t actually own all the pianos you see in their showrooms?

It’s true! Many of these instruments are part of a financing arrangement called a “floor plan.” This system involves manufacturers, distributors, and finance companies, allowing stores to showcase a huge selection—sometimes worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars—without the initial investment.

So, what does this mean for store owners? Well, their ability to negotiate prices isn’t as flexible as you might think. They need to sell the pianos to cover the costs, and the longer a piano sits unsold, the more interest they accrue. That’s why you’ll often see them eager to make a sale!

Many piano stores operate within protected territories.

This practice is one of the last bastions of traditional retail in the music industry. Essentially, if a store carries a specific brand—like Yamaha—they can’t quote prices over the phone. This helps prevent price wars among neighboring stores, ensuring that everyone has a fair shot at making a profit. But here’s the kicker: if a customer drives from one town to another, they can check prices in person, and the dealer can sell to them even if the customer lives outside of their territory.

You might wonder why there’s a notable markup on pianos. Are stores just trying to profit off you?

Not at all! The costs associated with selling pianos are substantial. There’s delivery, preparation, and tuning—all necessary to make a piano sound its best. Not to mention, not all stores offer the same level of preparation, which can lead to noticeable differences in sound quality even among identical models. Additionally, piano stores have other expenses: insurance, staffing, website development, and advertising. All of these factors contribute to the price you see on the tag.

Piano stores face a shrinking market.

Let’s talk about the market landscape. Piano stores are navigating a shrinking market filled with increasing online competition. While protected territories keep prices steady for new pianos, the market for used pianos is open for anyone to sell. This is where Living Pianos shines, as we specialize in high-quality used pianos, providing great value for customers. Selling new pianos today can be quite the challenge, especially when high-quality used options are just a click away!

Running a piano store is a tremendous challenge that requires organization, a knowledgeable team, and a lot of hard work.

I have immense respect for the people who manage these traditional stores. While our approach at Living Pianos is a bit different—operating on an appointment-only basis selling primarily restored pianos without restrictions, and focusing on online sales—I thought you’d enjoy learning about the realities most piano stores face. So, next time you step into a piano store, keep these insights in mind. There’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye! Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments here at LivingPianos.com and on YouTube! I’m Robert Estrin here at LivingPianos.com, Your Online Piano Store. Thanks for joining me, and I’ll see you next time!