Dear Alexander In these difficult times, after so many years, I decided to sit at the piano and start practicing seriously again. I came upon your videos only by chance, and I can honestly say it was mine gold. In less than a week, I was enjoying very easy scales and a flexibility I didn't feel for a long time. Merci, maître. À une prochaine, peut-être...
Cette vidéo est vraiment super et très détaillée, je l'adore. Jamais aucun de mes professeurs, dans le passé, n'a été capable de me donner des explications si claires et si précises, et cette vidéo répond très exactement aux questions que je me posais, et que je vous ai d'ailleurs posées lors de notre dernière correspondance !! Merci beaucoup.
Thank you my great professor Alexander for these valuable creative lessons ... I am grateful to you, great musician, I have learned a lot from you ... I wish you with all my heart to remain like a strong spring ... You are an exceptional piano player ... Your loving pupil Adnan Hussein From Iraq Baghdad and stories thousand nights and nights
Good morning Sir Master Aleksander Woronicki! Your videos are very explanatory! Only one question... Parallel scales in descending motion follow circular movements of scale in ascending motion or they follows contrary circular movements? Thanks for the response.
No. Watch carefully my diagrams: the hands are symmetrical, so the contrary motion works only in the same way (=in the contrary direction!). The outside direction is easier (RH CCW / LH CW), the inside one - much more complicated. Work a bit hands separately, but when playing in parallel, it’s better to forget turning and let hands to do the movements by themselves. Be sure to let the wrists flexible enough (but not too much).
Thanks professor Aleksander Woronicki for the response. But I am a Italian student and I struggle to understand meaning in English. The example for the circular movements of parallel and contrary scales to follows is the one of scales without the thumb? Same movement in ascending and descending. Thanks and excuse me please.
@@lucaportinari3754 Dear Luca, sorry, I don’t give lessons on YT. Send me, please, your e-mail address and I will send you some drawings aw4piano.info/en/contact
Thanks for the response, professor Aleksander Woronicki. Being a little against on line lesson, as soon as I succeed I will organize my self for a study holiday to see Paris again and get to know her, a great musician and teacher. I wish you the best of this unusual period that we are all experiencing. Greetings, Luca.
@@lucaportinari3754 OK, as you like. You're always welcome to Paris! But let me tell you: my students say that the optimal system is to mix live and video lessons. Take care!
Doing these sorts of spectacular feats ------ practice sure is involved. But then there is the other 'x' factor ------ which really requires a person's own attributes ---- especially if doing these things are to be done reliably ---- and to get it right, every single time.
@@aw4piano Absolutely. The videos you made reveal amazing and outstanding techniques that would normally not be seen by a lot of people. Incredibly privileged to be able to see these videos and your most excellent demonstrations.
the technic youre showing while youre playing slow is so different to the "realistic" fast parts. In the fast parts the back of your hand is extremely steady, which is diserable in my opinion. but why practise a big wrist movement then?
Hey Alexander, When you descend the scale, it’s following the circular path exactly the way it was when going up (so tracking the same movement but the other way). So basically like a rocking motion of a cradle when going up and down with a 5 finger pattern. But what is the reason people go for the full circle motion instead? So when going down you would do the upper part of a circle and the wrist would go up instead. Is that bad practice compared to this?
No, the rocking movement is rarely used. The circle, or rather the loop, must be complete, but incredibly small if you want to play fast. And it must come from the shoulder with the wrist relaxed. I demonstrate the principle with exaggerated movements so that it can be seen at all. Neuhaus also exaggerates it in his description (p. 102) and on the next page he writes: “With experienced, well schooled pianists all these movements (waves, loops) are hardly perceptible to the naked eye, but they are there […]”
@@aw4piano So if I understand well, because the rocking movement is rarely used, am I right in assuming that that means that the blue circle (that you described as "opposite against the wind" would not actually be used when going down? Because that's what I meant with rocking motion/cradle (the blue circle is basically the red but the other way). So instead when going down after the top note, you would do the upper half of the circle from right to left (so basically making the wheel complete, after the bottom half of a circle when going up)? Or am I completely misinterpreting this? And thank you so much for your advice, it is really appreciated!
@@maraldus Sorry for the late reply. Surely you realize that the whole process of playing is very complex and depends on many parameters. Therefore, there are no absolute rules in it. Scales can be played both ways, everything depends on the specific situation in the score and on the keyboard: articulation, dynamics, context and also on the habits of the player. But I can give you two basic ways to play the short descending scale RH 54321321 If I need to play it forte legato, I will use CW (blue) micro turns, i.e. the 5th finger starts with the wrist ↓. But if it is to be played fast, but piano and pearly, I will indeed use the CCW (red) direction, i.e. the 5th finger starts with the wrist ↑. And generally, if the active participation of the shoulder and back in playing is observed, these movements generate themselves. I am giving them in detail because relatively few students are able to maintain contact with the back. I'm currently preparing a global take on the entire playing process (article and video). The editing will probably take me a few more months, but I recommend you follow my YT channel.
The technical groups are 125 125 12521 521 52 or 125 125 1252 152 152 if you prefer (IMPORTANT - never accentuate the thumb except the first beat!). You start playing each group from below by drawing a micro-circle with your arm. At the end of each group, you must end one circle (green arrows) to start a new one. This is relatively easy in short groups. More difficult in the top group, as your arms rise higher on a higher number of notes. In addition, you have to change the direction of the circles. Therefore, at the top you need to pull your elbows to the left stronger and faster. I called this compensatory movement “jerk”.
Hi Sir. I have a question for you: how to reach and maintain extremely fast tempos for long periods of time without feeling tired or compromising accuracy in a piece like Alkan's "le chemin de fer"?
1. Play poco legato / poco staccato. 2. Use as little muscle energy as possible. 3. Take a micro-rest after playing each note. ruclips.net/video/hV-SIHn7ZlU/видео.html
I Think its fairly easy to see.. slow the video Down and watch AS many times as you have to.. hes showing us something important, so stop complaining and figure it out.
Hello, I share how I understand it, in case it helps, but I clarify that of course I can have interpretation errors, I also rely on what I learned from other teachers. The blue and red lines: they are the fragments of the scales (from the first finger to the four or the three or vice versa) playing with more weight and a little movement down the wrist and in the direction of the musical line that is from left to right to the sharp and backwards if the note line descends (Generating a curved and concave wrist movement; keeping the elbow shoulders flexible and in tune with this gesture, not immobile and rigid) The Green Lines: (Movement Convex wrist or progressive elevation and then lowering the wrist in the direction of the melodic line) corresponds to the moment of changes of position and / or breaths of the hand (when the thumb is passed below 3 or 4 finger and vice versa, when 3 and 4 pass over) and also that which many interpreters call "breathing" that is to make a light or wider, upward movement of the wrist and hand, taking advantage to relax the fingers and perform between phrases / motives / changes of position etc, it is a movement called breathing because it is equivalent to speech, when despite speaking quickly and fluently we make slight stops both to breathe in the physiological sense or to avoid talking roughly, this movement helps to better organize the musical discourse, the phrasing, that is the beginning and the end of them, or of smaller units of motifs, semifrases etc. and it is also very healthy because it helps eliminate muscle blockages or tension that may be building up. (Of this breathing wrist movement dosen’t affect to your physiological breathing)
@ AnnaKurusis. It is clear, piano playing is movement, it doesn't invlove speaking, similar to gymnatics ... How would describe a plié or another dance movement in words ? Showing is more effective. Just replay the video if you didn't understand the first time. And try the movement on the piano at the same time.
Dear Alexander
In these difficult times, after so many years, I decided to sit at the piano and start practicing seriously again. I came upon your videos only by chance, and I can honestly say it was mine gold. In less than a week, I was enjoying very easy scales and a flexibility I didn't feel for a long time.
Merci, maître.
À une prochaine, peut-être...
Excellent video. Possibly the best on RUclips in terms of explanations/demonstrations.
Cette vidéo est vraiment super et très détaillée, je l'adore.
Jamais aucun de mes professeurs, dans le passé, n'a été capable de me donner des explications si claires et si précises, et cette vidéo répond très exactement aux questions que je me posais, et que je vous ai d'ailleurs posées lors de notre dernière correspondance !!
Merci beaucoup.
Thank you my great professor Alexander for these valuable creative lessons ... I am grateful to you, great musician, I have learned a lot from you ... I wish you with all my heart to remain like a strong spring ... You are an exceptional piano player ... Your loving pupil Adnan Hussein From Iraq Baghdad and stories thousand nights and nights
Thanks !
Best technical videos I have seen
woww...please do more videos..
hi Sir. your technique tutorial is so inspiring. where can i have lesson with you? i still have many fundamental technique problems. thank you.
+Go Otto Hadinata Fill in this form first, please - aw4piano.info/en/info1/06/c
You are really fantastic, thank you very much for this great contribution. Es como revelar un gran secreto, muchas Gracias!!
Bravo une très belle technique
Good morning Sir Master Aleksander Woronicki!
Your videos are very explanatory!
Only one question...
Parallel scales in descending motion follow circular movements of scale in ascending motion or they follows contrary circular movements?
Thanks for the response.
No. Watch carefully my diagrams: the hands are symmetrical, so the contrary motion works only in the same way (=in the contrary direction!). The outside direction is easier (RH CCW / LH CW), the inside one - much more complicated. Work a bit hands separately, but when playing in parallel, it’s better to forget turning and let hands to do the movements by themselves. Be sure to let the wrists flexible enough (but not too much).
Thanks professor Aleksander Woronicki for the response.
But I am a Italian student and I struggle to understand meaning in English.
The example for the circular movements of parallel and contrary scales to follows is the one of scales without the thumb?
Same movement in ascending and descending.
Thanks and excuse me please.
@@lucaportinari3754 Dear Luca, sorry, I don’t give lessons on YT. Send me, please, your e-mail address and I will send you some drawings aw4piano.info/en/contact
Thanks for the response, professor Aleksander Woronicki.
Being a little against on line lesson, as soon as I succeed I will organize my self for a study holiday to see Paris again and get to know her, a great musician and teacher.
I wish you the best of this unusual period that we are all experiencing.
Greetings, Luca.
@@lucaportinari3754 OK, as you like. You're always welcome to Paris! But let me tell you: my students say that the optimal system is to mix live and video lessons. Take care!
Merci beaucoup pour ces conseils
What does inverting the fingering mean(regarding the ending of the "Winter Wind"?
RH 1234 123 instead of 123 1234. This way both thumbs play together, which makes synchronization easier.
Terrific !
Piano Tips by Jean likes this video
Doing these sorts of spectacular feats ------ practice sure is involved. But then there is the other 'x' factor ------ which really requires a person's own attributes ---- especially if doing these things are to be done reliably ---- and to get it right, every single time.
Certainly, but my videos are addressed above all to those remaining blocked in front of their keyboard, not knowing how to play effectively.
@@aw4piano Absolutely. The videos you made reveal amazing and outstanding techniques that would normally not be seen by a lot of people. Incredibly privileged to be able to see these videos and your most excellent demonstrations.
@@southpark5555 Thank you :)
the technic youre showing while youre playing slow is so different to the "realistic" fast parts.
In the fast parts the back of your hand is extremely steady, which is diserable in my opinion. but why practise a big wrist movement then?
Read here, the last paragraph from “The motor mechanism of an experienced pianist”
aw4piano.info/en/th/01
the best!!! thank you!!
which is your favorite pianist(/s)?
Probably Cziffra...and the others. ;)
👏
Hey Alexander,
When you descend the scale, it’s following the circular path exactly the way it was when going up (so tracking the same movement but the other way). So basically like a rocking motion of a cradle when going up and down with a 5 finger pattern. But what is the reason people go for the full circle motion instead? So when going down you would do the upper part of a circle and the wrist would go up instead. Is that bad practice compared to this?
No, the rocking movement is rarely used. The circle, or rather the loop, must be complete, but incredibly small if you want to play fast. And it must come from the shoulder with the wrist relaxed. I demonstrate the principle with exaggerated movements so that it can be seen at all. Neuhaus also exaggerates it in his description (p. 102) and on the next page he writes: “With experienced, well schooled pianists all these movements (waves, loops) are hardly perceptible to the naked eye, but they are there […]”
@@aw4piano So if I understand well, because the rocking movement is rarely used, am I right in assuming that that means that the blue circle (that you described as "opposite against the wind" would not actually be used when going down? Because that's what I meant with rocking motion/cradle (the blue circle is basically the red but the other way). So instead when going down after the top note, you would do the upper half of the circle from right to left (so basically making the wheel complete, after the bottom half of a circle when going up)? Or am I completely misinterpreting this? And thank you so much for your advice, it is really appreciated!
@@maraldus Sorry for the late reply. Surely you realize that the whole process of playing is very complex and depends on many parameters. Therefore, there are no absolute rules in it. Scales can be played both ways, everything depends on the specific situation in the score and on the keyboard: articulation, dynamics, context and also on the habits of the player. But I can give you two basic ways to play the short descending scale RH 54321321 If I need to play it forte legato, I will use CW (blue) micro turns, i.e. the 5th finger starts with the wrist ↓. But if it is to be played fast, but piano and pearly, I will indeed use the CCW (red) direction, i.e. the 5th finger starts with the wrist ↑.
And generally, if the active participation of the shoulder and back in playing is observed, these movements generate themselves. I am giving them in detail because relatively few students are able to maintain contact with the back.
I'm currently preparing a global take on the entire playing process (article and video). The editing will probably take me a few more months, but I recommend you follow my YT channel.
Thank you so much for taking the time. I will try to apply it. And I definitely will, have been subscribed for a while already! 😃 Have a nice day!!
Oh, subscribed on another account it would seem haha, but I will do that again!
Muchas gracias por estos vídeos valiosos!!
Wow
Min 1.22 "JERK"?
Respect..
May I ask what does the "jerk" movement mean?
The technical groups are 125 125 12521 521 52 or 125 125 1252 152 152 if you prefer (IMPORTANT - never accentuate the thumb except the first beat!). You start playing each group from below by drawing a micro-circle with your arm. At the end of each group, you must end one circle (green arrows) to start a new one. This is relatively easy in short groups. More difficult in the top group, as your arms rise higher on a higher number of notes. In addition, you have to change the direction of the circles. Therefore, at the top you need to pull your elbows to the left stronger and faster. I called this compensatory movement “jerk”.
Oh okay, Thank you!
intresting
Why didn’t anyone teach me that when I was a student 😅
unsure if the rotations are up and down or in an out from keyboard :/
Do you teach by Skype? just a few sessions for technical exercise only
No, by video or live only. Details & conditions > aw4piano.info/en/info1/06/b#fees
Hi Sir. I have a question for you: how to reach and maintain extremely fast tempos for long periods of time without feeling tired or compromising accuracy in a piece like Alkan's "le chemin de fer"?
1. Play poco legato / poco staccato.
2. Use as little muscle energy as possible.
3. Take a micro-rest after playing each note.
ruclips.net/video/hV-SIHn7ZlU/видео.html
😱
No rotate when you are play fast.
Of course YES. I feel it while playing, but at a high speed it is imperceptible. So it only seems to you that it does not exist.
please talk and explain in your videos. it's hard to see what you're doing.
He is just showing off instead of teaching.
@@abz124816 Look for his articles. They are very detailed.
I Think its fairly easy to see.. slow the video Down and watch AS many times as you have to.. hes showing us something important, so stop complaining and figure it out.
Hello, I share how I understand it, in case it helps, but I clarify that of course I can have interpretation errors, I also rely on what I learned from other teachers. The blue and red lines: they are the fragments of the scales (from the first finger to the four or the three or vice versa) playing with more weight and a little movement down the wrist and in the direction of the musical line that is from left to right to the sharp and backwards if the note line descends (Generating a curved and concave wrist movement; keeping the elbow shoulders flexible and in tune with this gesture, not immobile and rigid) The Green Lines: (Movement Convex wrist or progressive elevation and then lowering the wrist in the direction of the melodic line) corresponds to the moment of changes of position and / or breaths of the hand (when the thumb is passed below 3 or 4 finger and vice versa, when 3 and 4 pass over) and also that which many interpreters call "breathing" that is to make a light or wider, upward movement of the wrist and hand, taking advantage to relax the fingers and perform between phrases / motives / changes of position etc, it is a movement called breathing because it is equivalent to speech, when despite speaking quickly and fluently we make slight stops both to breathe in the physiological sense or to avoid talking roughly, this movement helps to better organize the musical discourse, the phrasing, that is the beginning and the end of them, or of smaller units of motifs, semifrases etc. and it is also very healthy because it helps eliminate muscle blockages or tension that may be building up. (Of this breathing wrist movement dosen’t affect to your physiological breathing)
@ AnnaKurusis. It is clear, piano playing is movement, it doesn't invlove speaking, similar to gymnatics ... How would describe a plié or another dance movement in words ? Showing is more effective. Just replay the video if you didn't understand the first time. And try the movement on the piano at the same time.
The grafic is too fast.
I repeat again: YT allows you to slow down the display. Learn RUclips first.