Tag Archives: piano playing

Top 5 Piano Teaching Myths

Welcome to LivingPianos.com, I’m Robert Estrin. Today I’m going to tell you the top 5 myths about piano teaching.

Myth 1: Great Teachers Don’t Take Beginners

It’s a common belief that top-tier piano teachers only work with advanced students. While it’s true that many high-level instructors at conservatories focus on refining the skills of already proficient players, this doesn’t mean they don’t teach beginners. In fact, teaching beginners can be immensely rewarding and crucial for a student’s development. Many skilled teachers are adept at guiding students from their first notes to advanced techniques. The foundation laid by a dedicated beginner teacher can pave the way for future mastery.

Myth 2: Every Other Week Lessons Are Ineffective

I used to think that having piano lessons every other week could hinder progress due to a lack of consistency. However, my experience teaching online has shown that bi-weekly lessons can be highly effective. Students who are committed and manage their practice well can thrive with this schedule. The key is ensuring that students are motivated and make the most of the time between lessons.

Myth 3: Great Teachers Are Strict

Many parents seek out strict teachers, believing that rigid rules and discipline will lead to better outcomes. While some students may respond well to a strict approach, effective teaching generally involves understanding and communication. It’s important to tailor your approach to each student’s needs and personality. A successful teacher builds a relationship with their student to address any obstacles and support their growth.

Myth 4: Great Teachers Have A Well-Formed Lesson Plan

Another misconception is that exceptional teachers adhere to a fixed lesson plan. While it’s essential for teachers to have a structured approach that includes progressive repertoire, technique, and theory, flexibility is crucial. Each student is unique, and teaching should be adapted to fit their individual needs and goals. A good teacher listens to their students and adjusts their methods accordingly, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all plan.

Myth 5: Students Must Always Follow a Prescribed Path

Finally, the idea that there is a single correct path for all piano students is misleading. Effective teaching involves collaboration between teacher and student. Teachers must be adaptable and responsive, creating a learning experience that aligns with each student’s personal journey. I’m Robert Estrin here at LivingPianos.com, Your Online Piano Store. Thanks for joining me!

For premium videos and exclusive content, you can join my Living Pianos Patreon channel! www.Patreon.com/RobertEstrin.

Contact me if you are interested in private lessons. I have many resources for you! Robert@LivingPianos.com.

How to Achieve a Singing Sound with the Pedals

Welcome to LivingPianos.com. I’m Robert Estrin, and today I will show you how to achieve a beautiful singing sound using the pedals. This subtle technique can make a significant difference in your piano playing, transforming percussive note transitions into smooth, lyrical lines.

Establishing a Solid Foundation

First, it’s essential to practice with good fingering and without the pedals. This ensures you can connect musical lines with your fingers before relying on the pedals. A solid foundation is crucial for achieving a coherent performance.

Understanding the Sustain Pedal

The sustain pedal, when depressed, creates an echo quality. To avoid a harsh attack, depress the damper pedal slightly after playing the note. This technique enhances sustain without overwhelming the sound. Watch the video to see this technique demonstrated!

Demonstration:

Without Pedal: Play the note without using the pedal.
With Pedal Before Note: Play the note with the pedal already depressed.
With Pedal After Note: Play the note, then depress the pedal after the attack to create a more balanced sound.

Using the Una Corda Pedal

The una corda (soft) pedal shifts the action, making the hammers strike only two strings, resulting in a warmer tone and softer attack. All three strings vibrate sympathetically, enhancing the sustain.

Demonstration:

Without Soft Pedal: Play the note without using the soft pedal.
With Soft Pedal: Engage the soft pedal before playing the note to hear the difference.

Combining Both Techniques

For a richer tonal palette, combine the soft pedal with the sustain pedal. Play the note with the soft pedal engaged and then depress the sustain pedal after the note’s attack.

Demonstration:

No Pedals: Play the note without any pedals.
Soft Pedal Only: Engage the soft pedal before playing the note.
Sustain Pedal After Note: Depress the sustain pedal after the note’s attack.
Both Pedals: Engage the soft pedal before and the sustain pedal after playing the note.

Experiment and Explore

Experiment with these techniques on your grand piano. Upright pianos may not have the same tonal effects, as their left pedal changes the touch rather than the tone. Many digital pianos also model these physical effects, so try them out to see what you can achieve. By using a combination of pedal techniques, you can craft a musical line with a singing quality, enhancing your overall performance.

I am Robert Estrin here at LivingPianos.com, Your Online Piano Store. Thanks for joining me! For premium videos and exclusive content, you can join my Living Pianos Patreon channel! www.Patreon.com/RobertEstrin.

Contact me if you are interested in private lessons. I have many resources for you! Robert@LivingPianos.com.

How to Play Burgmuller’s “The Farewell”

Introduction

Welcome to LivingPianos.com. I’m Robert Estrin, and today I am excited to share one of my favorite pieces to teach: “The Farewell” by Burgmuller. This piece is part of a collection I have previously covered in detail. You can find the links in the video description if you want to explore more of Burgmuller’s works.

Performance and Breakdown

Before diving into the tutorial, I will perform the piece to give you an idea of what it sounds like. “The Farewell” is a beautiful piece that doesn’t require a virtuoso technique, making it great for many players.

Detailed Tutorial

Introduction Section

The first measures are distinct, featuring a warm, melancholy tone that transitions into rousing triplets. The key to this section is to play extremely legato, especially on repeated notes by changing fingers.

Right-Hand Technique

Pay attention to the rise and fall of the phrase, which mimics natural speech patterns. This brings life to your music. Change fingers to maintain legato, especially on repeated notes. One finger should rise as the other descends, with no arm or hand movement to achieve a smooth legato.

Practice Tips

-Use a metronome to find a secure tempo, even if it’s slow.
-Raise previously played fingers high enough to avoid overlapping notes.
-Focus on accents, slurs, and crescendos from the beginning.
-Reduce complex passages to chords for easier learning.

Memorization

I recommend memorizing the piece early in the learning process. This approach saves time and ensures accuracy from the start. Refer to my videos on memorization methods linked in the description.

Key Changes and Sections

The piece follows an A-B-A form with an introduction and a coda. The middle section shifts to C major, with triplets in the left hand instead of the right. Practice each section methodically using metronome speeds. You can also use techniques like accents, rhythms, and note groupings to build fluency.

Middle Section

Focus on maintaining balance between the melody in the right hand and the accompaniment in the left hand. Use the weight of the arm in the right hand to get the melody to break through, while using minimal finger motion in the left hand to avoid overpowering the melody. By using the weight of the arm, you get the power you need to bring the melody to the front, and you can achieve a flowing line that rises and falls.

Coda

The coda features new material, distinct from the previous sections. Practice legato thirds in the left hand and ensure smooth transitions.

Final Tips

-Use the wrist for forte dynamics and decrescendos.
-Practice small sections with metronome speeds.
-Employ different techniques to ensure evenness and fluency.

I hope you find these tips helpful in learning “The Farewell” by Burgmuller. Feel free to leave any questions in the comments.

I’m Robert Estrin here at LivingPianos.com, Your Online Piano Store. Thanks for joining me! For premium videos and exclusive content, you can join my Living Pianos Patreon channel! www.Patreon.com/RobertEstrin. Contact me if you are interested in private lessons. I have many resources for you! Robert@LivingPianos.com.

Why Can’t You Buy Pianos Online?

I’m Robert Estrin, and today we have an intriguing question: Why can’t you buy a piano online? You might think it’s odd coming from me, given that Living Pianos was the world’s first online piano store, started in 2006. However, for the most part, you really can’t buy a piano online. Let me explain.

Practical Challenges

First, there are practical challenges. How do you ship a piano if you buy one online? If you live in Florida and buy a piano from California, how do you get it there? Who will tune it? These practicalities are significant, but there’s more to it.

Protected Territories in the Piano Industry

The piano industry still operates on an old business model of protected territories. This means you can’t shop for pianos the same way you shop for other items online. For most products, you can easily compare prices and buy from the cheapest source. But with pianos, the agreement between manufacturers, distributors, and dealers limits sales to specific geographical areas.

Unique Aspects of Pianos

Every piano is unique, which adds another layer of complexity. The agreements between manufacturers and dealers mean that dealers can only sell within their designated areas. If you visit a store, they can sell to you, but they can’t quote prices over the phone for out-of-area customers.

Exceptions and Loopholes

There are exceptions. Some large dealers skirt the rules and sell out of their designated areas. If caught, they may have to pay a commission to the local dealer. However, as long as the dealer is significant enough, manufacturers often look the other way.

The Living Pianos Model

Living Pianos has based its business model on selling used pianos. Nobody can restrict the sale of used pianos across the country. High-end brands like Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, and Bechstein are often worth the cost of shipping, making this model feasible. We provide high-quality videos and photos so you know what you’re getting. Experienced pianists are always welcome to visit and try the pianos.

Digital Pianos

Digital pianos are another exception. They can be shipped easily, but some digital pianos fall under the same protected territories as acoustic pianos. There are two categories: MI (Musical Instruments) sold in places like Guitar Center and Sweetwater, and home units with protected territories.

Your Thoughts?

What do you think about protected territories in the piano industry? Is it good to protect dealers who invest in inventory, or should you be able to shop anywhere for the best price? Let’s get a discussion going at LivingPianos.com. We primarily sell used pianos and abide by all rules for new pianos, ensuring the survival of the piano business.

I am Robert Estrin here at LivingPianos.com, Your Online Piano Store. Thanks for joining me! For premium videos and exclusive content, you can join my Living Pianos Patreon channel! www.Patreon.com/RobertEstrin. Contact me if you are interested in private lessons. I have many resources for you! Robert@LivingPianos.com.

How to Avoid Destroying Your Piano

Welcome to LivingPianos.com, I’m Robert Estrin. Today we have an important topic: How to avoid destroying your piano. While we’ve discussed many things you should do for your piano, today we’ll focus on what to avoid. Some of these tips are common sense, but others might surprise you.

Avoid Hot Air Vents

Placing your grand piano over a hot air vent or near one can cause significant damage in just a few months. The dry air can warp and crack the soundboard, making the piano a total loss unless you opt for expensive repairs. Always ensure that your piano is not in the path of a hot air vent.

Stable Temperature and Humidity

Maintaining a stable environment is crucial for your piano. Extreme temperature swings can affect tuning stability, while high humidity can cause rust and corrosion. Conversely, very low humidity can dry out the pin block and felt parts, leading to a noisy action and other issues. Aim for 45-50% humidity, and use a hygrometer to monitor the levels. Consider using a room humidifier or a piano lifesaver system to keep conditions stable.

Protect from Sunlight

Sunlight can bleach your piano’s finish in a matter of months. It can also affect tuning stability if it shines directly on the soundboard. Even if you use window treatments to block UV light, it can still damage your piano. So protect your piano from direct sunlight to keep the finish looking new.

Regular Tuning

Pianos that haven’t been tuned for years will require multiple tunings to stabilize. Similar to changing the oil in your car, regular maintenance is essential. Neglecting this can lead to pitch issues and unstable tuning.

Avoid Furniture Polish

Using furniture polish on your piano can cause wax build-up that requires professional removal. For satin finishes, use a soft microfiber or cotton cloth. For high gloss finishes, a microfiber cloth with a bit of Windex works well.

Reshape Piano Hammers

Piano hammers can become grooved and hardened over time, leading to a harsh tone. They need to be reshaped periodically, but this should be done by an experienced technician to avoid damage.

Don’t Tune with Pliers

Using pliers to tune your piano can strip the tuning pins, causing severe damage. Invest in a proper tuning wrench or hammer, available on Amazon, and avoid makeshift tools.

Avoid Wood Stoves

Wood stoves can severely dry out a room, damaging your piano’s finish and internal components. If you must have a wood stove in the same room, use a humidifier to add moisture back into the air.

Beach Environments

Living near the beach can expose your piano to high humidity, leading to rust and corrosion. Use a string cover to protect the strings from excessive humidity if you can’t keep windows closed.

Use Correct Parts

Replacing piano parts with incorrect ones, like using Steinway hammers on a non-Steinway piano, can severely affect the instrument’s performance. Always consult an experienced piano technician for the right parts.

Ivory Key Maintenance

Closing the fallboard over ivory keys can cause them to yellow. Keep the fallboard open to maintain the bright, white appearance of the keys. Dusting the keys regularly is sufficient to keep them clean.

Conclusion

These tips will help you maintain your piano in optimal condition. If you enjoyed these tips, consider subscribing to LivingPianos.com for more articles and resources.

I am Robert Estrin here at LivingPianos.com, Your Online Piano Store. Thanks for joining me! For premium videos and exclusive content, you can join my Living Pianos Patreon channel!
www.Patreon.com/RobertEstrin.
Contact me if you are interested in private lessons. I have many resources for you! Robert@LivingPianos.com.

Steinway & Yamaha Alternatives

Introduction

We are about to explore alternatives to Steinway and Yamaha pianos. Most people are familiar with these two brands, and perhaps the piano they grew up with. However, there are hundreds of piano companies around the world, and today, I’ll introduce you to some fantastic alternatives. At the end, I’ll reveal the most logical alternatives to Steinway and Yamaha.

Exploring the Great Alternatives

Bosendorfer
Let’s start with Bosendorfer, an Austrian company dating back to 1828. They are renowned for their 9 ½ -foot Imperial Concert Grand, which boasts 97 keys extending to very low notes. These pianos are exquisitely crafted, maintaining traditional elements from the 1800s, including visible seams in the rim instead of the continuous rim found on all other modern pianos, and the use of spruce in the rim, which contributes to their unique, bell-like tone.

Fazioli
Fazioli, a relatively new Italian company founded in 1981, produces beautifully crafted pianos. Many competition winners choose Fazioli pianos for their outstanding quality. They even have a piano over ten feet long, offering a truly remarkable sound.

German Masterpieces
Germany is home to several top-tier piano companies, including Bechstein, Bluthner, and Sauter. These pianos are meticulously crafted in limited numbers, preserving the high standards set in the 1800s. Steingraeber & Söhne is another excellent German manufacturer, offering unique features like the sordino pedal for a muted sound and the Mozart rail for a historical touch experience. They also provide carbon fiber soundboards for enhanced tuning stability and consistent sound quality.

Asian Excellence

Several Asian-owned companies continue to produce high-quality pianos both in Asia and their original factories in Germany. Brands like Grotrian, Schimmel, and Seiler still produce top-tier pianos in Germany while offering more affordable models made in Asia. Petrof, from the Czech Republic, also deserves mention for their exceptional pianos still owned by the original Petrof family since the 1800’s.

Alternatives to Yamaha
There are numerous Asian piano companies, primarily in China, that you might not have heard of. Two standouts are Hailun and Pearl River. Pearl River is the largest piano manufacturer in the world, producing over 100,000 pianos annually. Korean companies like Samick and Young Chang also produce well made pianos in Korea, China and Indonesia. Some familiar names like Baldwin, Kohler & Campbell, and Steinberg are now produced in Asia and offer high quality Asian production pianos.

The Most Obvious Alternatives
Kawai

For those considering Yamaha, Kawai is the natural alternative. They feature innovations such as ABS carbon action parts and exclusive carbon jacks. As one of the largest piano companies globally, Kawai offers a range of digital, hybrid, upright, and grand pianos, as well as a limited number of hand-built pianos (using the Shigeru Kawai name) similar to Yamaha’s lineup. Some people prefer Kawai for its slightly warmer sound, while others choose Yamaha for its brighter tone (although pianos can be voiced brighter or warmer). Both brands produce well-crafted pianos, making it a matter of personal preference.

Mason & Hamlin
When it comes to alternatives to Steinway, Mason & Hamlin stands out as the only other top-tier American piano company still in production since the 1800s. These pianos, handcrafted outside Boston, feature innovations like thicker rims for soundboard support and the their patented Tension Resonator System for exceptional durability and sound quality. Their state-of-the-art Wessel Nickel & Gross actions, using composite materials, offer a responsive and consistent feel.

Conclusion
There are many hand-built pianos available today, especially from Germany and other parts of Europe, as well as great American pianos from Mason & Hamlin. If you’re shopping for a Yamaha, don’t forget to consider Kawai. Both brands have served the same market for over a century, providing excellent instruments. There are also a plethora of well made Asian production pianos from many companies with Asian as well as American and German names. If you have any other piano brand suggestions, leave them in the comments on LivingPianos.com and YouTube.

I am Robert Estrin here at LivingPianos.com, Your Online Piano Store. Thanks for joining me! For premium videos and exclusive content, you can join my Living Pianos Patreon channel! www.Patreon.com/RobertEstrin.

Contact me if you are interested in private lessons. I have many resources for you! Robert@LivingPianos.com.