A while ago i made a personal recording playing Chopin's c# minor nocturne and i noticed that I was holding my breath during the long trills. I didnt think it was a problem other than the mild annoyance of hearing it in the recording. its hard to overcome. it feels like my bad breathing habits are programed in my muscel memory. 👍
Jabril, you are quite right, exactly as you say, it's hard to overcome and bad breathing habits get programmed in the muscle memory. Sometimes it's hard to do two things at once, to play piano and to breath properly at the same time isn't straight forward. Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone while you were playing piano? that's hard too. Once you become aware of the benefits of healthy breathing when practicing piano, especially as you're going to spend so much your time practicing during your life, you can program good breathing into your muscle memory along with the fingers, as you start to practice new pieces. You've end up playing demanding passages better without anxiety, even feel piano practice and playing is more enjoyable.
Thank you so much for this video，I will have my very important exam（piano）in 5 days，it's my first time playing and exam before so many people 。I prepared for almost 10 monthes and I thought I was ready，But now I feel everything goes wrong，I can not play as good as last week（I practice everyday） all the practice has not work out，even my hairstyle my dress my everything is not good enough。I just want to run away，I try to tell myself I prepare enough and nobody is perfect I tell everyone I'm not nervous。But it's not that easy。I don't know how to and what to practice for the last 5 days
Interesting, deep breathing as a means to stave off stress and to optimize concentration. This explains why I typically pause to take a deep breath to "marshal the troops" just before performing. Thank you sir!! :)
I agree, I think breathing control is very important when I play in some recitals. I tend to breathe more frequently on difficult passages, which is bad because that way it will enable the sympathetic nerves on cardiopulmonary system and adrenal system; which leads to excitation of adrenalin, this causes us to get anxious and heart throbbing. Proper breathe control means better coordination of your playing.
I belive better breathing is usually the answer for hands to relax better when playing. Before you play you can also shake them a while. To play very fast passages clearly we need to have a relaxed state of mind free of anxiety. In order to relax your mind you need to breath regularly and smoothly when you play. Have you ever looked at a pianist playing a very difficult piece and thought "they make that look easy or effortless". Of course nothing is easy on piano and there is no music that can be played without effort, it's just you need to relax when you play in order to play at your best, and you will find you enjoy playing more too. There are many channels that offer excellent advice about breathing and relaxation on RUclips so if you want to improve your playing, remember your hands are at the extremities of your body, what they end up by doing (or not doing) starts its journey in your mind.
Hi Paul, first, you are an amazing pianist! Question: let's assume you get to the most difficult passage of a piece. Let's say you still manage to focus on your breathing while performing this passage flawlessly. Well, wouldn't this indicate, that you already master the passage incredibly well, because only then you could afford to divert attention away from playing and focusing on breathing instead? if this is the case though, you probably don't have to worry about breathing properly because you are most likely already in a good place mentally speaking. After all, when we play with confidence, we are more relaxed, and also breath better automatically. Controlling the breath would then be more in the way than helpful, wouldn't you agree? I think paying attention to our breathing during practice is really a great idea.. And I will incorporate your breathing exercises in my practicing from now on. THANKS FOR YOUR AMAZING VIDEOS!
I am curious how many concert pianists control their breathing as demonstrated in this video. What you demonstrate here is how to breath properly, and why it is beneficial. But you did not talk about breathing with the music, the phrasing, etc. which is essential when talking about breathing from a pianist's perspective.
Indeed I have been looking for advise on breathing in relation with the phrasing, very hard to find! I found this one useful: ruclips.net/video/A5Wx5SH7yf4/видео.html
Very nice video Paul, I'll pay more attention to my breathing from now on ;)
Great to hear from your again. I love your version of La La Land.
I play piano and I studied biology, I like the way you put it together. I had very poor breathing habits, I am working on that now. Thank you!
A while ago i made a personal recording playing Chopin's c# minor nocturne and i noticed that I was holding my breath during the long trills. I didnt think it was a problem other than the mild annoyance of hearing it in the recording. its hard to overcome. it feels like my bad breathing habits are programed in my muscel memory. 👍
Jabril, you are quite right, exactly as you say, it's hard to overcome and bad breathing habits get programmed in the muscle memory. Sometimes it's hard to do two things at once, to play piano and to breath properly at the same time isn't straight forward. Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone while you were playing piano? that's hard too. Once you become aware of the benefits of healthy breathing when practicing piano, especially as you're going to spend so much your time practicing during your life, you can program good breathing into your muscle memory along with the fingers, as you start to practice new pieces. You've end up playing demanding passages better without anxiety, even feel piano practice and playing is more enjoyable.
Thank you so much for this video，I will have my very important exam（piano）in 5 days，it's my first time playing and exam before so many people 。I prepared for almost 10 monthes and I thought I was ready，But now I feel everything goes wrong，I can not play as good as last week（I practice everyday） all the practice has not work out，even my hairstyle my dress my everything is not good enough。I just want to run away，I try to tell myself I prepare enough and nobody is perfect I tell everyone I'm not nervous。But it's not that easy。I don't know how to and what to practice for the last 5 days
You are very correct sir, little things mean a lot.
Yet another great tutorial. Keep them coming please :) Thank you :)
No wonder I flank all my turkish march performance I didn't know about this didn't expect that this trick can benefit ny performance thanks
ah dude, Cheers. I appreciate your clear and impassioned motivation and tips.
Good advice thank you man
Interesting, deep breathing as a means to stave off stress and to optimize concentration. This explains why I typically pause to take a deep breath to "marshal the troops" just before performing. Thank you sir!! :)
Great video. Thanks for the practical advice!
Wonderful Tutorial;;-) Thank You so much ;-)
I agree, I think breathing control is very important when I play in some recitals.
I tend to breathe more frequently on difficult passages, which is bad because that way it will enable the sympathetic nerves on cardiopulmonary system and adrenal system; which leads to excitation of adrenalin, this causes us to get anxious and heart throbbing.
Proper breathe control means better coordination of your playing.
Truly it is easier to focus
And this goes for many things outside of music too
Wow, great advice. :)
Really happy I found this great channel. Thank you so much!
Thank you for uploading, I think that your videos are very helpful!
Nice tutorial!
this is gold...
Hi Paul, I was wondering if you could play Chopin Scherzo op 31 no 2
Agamaz I think what he meant to say was if he could upload a video of him playing it :)
Hi Matthew -- the last time I played it I was 20, so a VERY long time ago. You really want me to try play it?
+Paul Barton It sure would be wonderful if you could! Thank you for responding aswell
Paul Barton we all want you to play the scherzo Paul !!!!
Paul, great video! Could you make one about how to relax your hands better because I have a lot of trouble with that especially in fast songs
I belive better breathing is usually the answer for hands to relax better when playing. Before you play you can also shake them a while. To play very fast passages clearly we need to have a relaxed state of mind free of anxiety. In order to relax your mind you need to breath regularly and smoothly when you play. Have you ever looked at a pianist playing a very difficult piece and thought "they make that look easy or effortless". Of course nothing is easy on piano and there is no music that can be played without effort, it's just you need to relax when you play in order to play at your best, and you will find you enjoy playing more too. There are many channels that offer excellent advice about breathing and relaxation on RUclips so if you want to improve your playing, remember your hands are at the extremities of your body, what they end up by doing (or not doing) starts its journey in your mind.
Paul Barton Thank you very much. I'll check out other videos then. Thank you!
I had to breathe manually all along lel, nice vid
This is great! Where can we find the breathing for phrasing and expression tutorial that you mentioned?
Hi Paul, first, you are an amazing pianist! Question: let's assume you get to the most difficult passage of a piece. Let's say you still manage to focus on your breathing while performing this passage flawlessly. Well, wouldn't this indicate, that you already master the passage incredibly well, because only then you could afford to divert attention away from playing and focusing on breathing instead? if this is the case though, you probably don't have to worry about breathing properly because you are most likely already in a good place mentally speaking. After all, when we play with confidence, we are more relaxed, and also breath better automatically. Controlling the breath would then be more in the way than helpful, wouldn't you agree?
I think paying attention to our breathing during practice is really a great idea.. And I will incorporate your breathing exercises in my practicing from now on. THANKS FOR YOUR AMAZING VIDEOS!
Hi Paul !!
Do you mind if I ask you which mic you are using? Hope i can hear your reply :)
please can you do a shot tutorial video on chopin's etude op25 no5
Can you play Turkish march from ruins of Athens
I am curious how many concert pianists control their breathing as demonstrated in this video. What you demonstrate here is how to breath properly, and why it is beneficial. But you did not talk about breathing with the music, the phrasing, etc. which is essential when talking about breathing from a pianist's perspective.
5'45
Indeed I have been looking for advise on breathing in relation with the phrasing, very hard to find!
I found this one useful: ruclips.net/video/A5Wx5SH7yf4/видео.html
Well, those 2 last minutes of black screen felt kinda awkward.
sorry for my careless video editing.
it's okay Mr. Barton. great video.
420th view