Piano Lessons- Music Theory Lessons

Welcome to LivingPianos.com, I’m Robert Estrin. Today, I want to share a personal story about the most challenging gig I’ve ever had. You might assume it was a demanding solo recital or a complex concerto performance, but surprisingly, it was an entirely different experience that tested me in unexpected ways.

The Unexpected Challenge: An Irish-Themed Party

Many years ago, I was hired to play at a St. Patrick’s Day party. The hosts requested Irish music, a genre I wasn’t particularly familiar with. To prepare, I purchased a comprehensive book of Irish songs to sight-read during the event. Upon arrival, I found the guests in high spirits, having already indulged in the festivities. I began with “Greensleeves,” a tune I assumed would be well-received.

Navigating Uncharted Musical Waters

Shortly after I started, a gentleman, clearly enjoying the celebration, approached me at the piano. He expressed dissatisfaction with my song choices, seeking more adventurous tunes. I offered him the songbook to select pieces he preferred, but he dismissed it, claiming none of the songs were suitable. Then came the unexpected twist: he decided to sing a song to me, expecting me to play it back from memory.

The Impromptu Performance

There I was, with a room full of guests anticipating the melody, and I had to rely solely on my memory of the gentleman’s rendition. This scenario repeated throughout the evening, with him introducing songs unfamiliar to me, each time expecting an immediate performance. It became an intense exercise in musical dictation, pushing my abilities to their limits. I was the only one in the room completely unfamiliar with all the songs!

Reflecting on the Experience

Despite the mental exhaustion, I managed to navigate the evening successfully, much to the guests’ delight. This experience stands out as the most challenging gig of my career, not because of technical difficulty, but due to the spontaneous demands placed upon me.

Share Your Stories

I’m curious to hear about your challenging gigs. Perhaps you’ve faced outdoor performances under unpredictable weather or dealt with unplayable instruments. Let’s share our experiences and learn from one another.

Thank you for joining me here at LivingPianos.com, your online piano resource. I’m Robert Estrin. Looking forward to our next musical journey together.

Welcome to Living Pianos! I’m Robert Estrin, and today we’re diving into a fundamental aspect of piano technique: the art of fingering.

The Core Challenge: 88 Keys, 10 Fingers

One of the most intriguing challenges pianists face is navigating 88 keys with just ten fingers. This brings us to a question from Dana, a follower who asked whether each piece has its own specific technique or if mastering scales, arpeggios, and chords suffices.

Hand Positions and Finger Patterns

If you’ve ever played wind instruments like the saxophone, clarinet, or flute, you know that each note corresponds to a specific fingering, with minimal variations. However, the piano is a different beast. While mastering scales, arpeggios, and chords provides a solid foundation, each new piece introduces unique technical and musical challenges that often boil down to one crucial element: fingering.

The Importance of Fingering

Fingering is the holy grail of piano technique. Observing concert pianists or studying meticulously fingered editions of music can offer invaluable insights. When I encounter a technical hurdle, I often consult multiple editions to explore different fingering suggestions. This approach helps in effectively navigating the 88 keys with our ten fingers.

Beyond Basic Techniques

So, can a basic technique alone enable you to play the piano effectively? Unfortunately, no. Even with a well-developed toolkit of scales, arpeggios, and other techniques, each piece presents its own set of challenges. For instance, as a French horn player, I found that while standard fingerings suffice for most notes, certain passages benefit from alternative fingerings to facilitate speed and ease. However, this is a relatively small challenge of playing the French horn. However, on the piano, mastering fingering in any piece is the most essential aspect of being able to play the piece on a high level, even if you have a solid grasp of fundamental techniques.

Conclusion

In essence, while foundational techniques are vital, the key to effective piano playing lies in mastering the specific fingering required for each piece. This approach allows you to tackle the unique challenges that every composition presents.

Thank you for joining me here at Living Pianos. I’m Robert Estrin, and I look forward to our next musical exploration together.

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.