How to Play Piano - The Secrets of a Correct Key Attack
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- Опубликовано: 8 июл 2024
- www.pianocareeracademy.com. In this video, I demonstrate the secrets of a correct piano key attack or piano touche. By mastering this type of key attack, you'll be able to have a beautiful sound, a brilliant technique and an amazing power of expression.
Also, don't miss my free written article on the same topic:
www.pianocareer.com/piano-soun...
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I' ve been playing keyboards for at least 20 years and now i was diagnosticated with TOS (Thoracic outlet syndrom). I can' t control my fingers and right hand to play, anymore. Watching some of your videos is giving me strenght and inspiration to get through this problem. Thank you!
You're very welcome! ;) Sending you lots of health wishes - I hope you recover soon!!!!
Wow! You have an amazing gift to teach. When you explain these concepts, I understand exactly what you are saying. It is one thing to know how to play the piano, but it is a completely different thing to know how to teach the piano. Wow! You clearly have mastered both qualities.
+Truman Nguyen Thank you! ;)
Best piano lesson on RUclips. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Zandong! ;)
Being a piano teacher myself it is very refreshing to watch your work.
Hi! In professional piano playing, there is no such thing as 'pure finger work'. Even when we play fast runs on pianissimo, we still need to keep our arms entirely flexible, using the 'whole arm action principle'. It doesn't mean shifting your arm on each note - it means playing in a relaxed manner, without any tension in your shoulders, elbows and wrists. You can watch many video tutorials on this subject on the Private Members Forum at Piano Career Academy (the link is in the description box).
Very helpful. Just saw this video & very impressed with your explanations. I am 63 years old, been playing piano for 7 years, and always struggled with hand/wrist tension. I have a lot of work to do to change my bad habits but your video helped me hear & visualize what I need to work on👍. THANK YOU!
Thank you, Jim! I'm really happy that this video was helpful! By the way, regarding tension - I recommend to read my free article on this topic - you will find it as an answer to question No. 31 from our FAQs at PianoCareerAcademy.com (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). I hope it is helpful as well! ;)
Thank you so much for your comment! I really appreciate the feedback of a professional colleague! :)))
People called me a prodigy when I picked up Piano. I didn’t think that I really was a kind of prodigy. I started not even half a year ago and I remember from a month or two ago I was told I had a way with playing keys that people generally didn’t get knowing how to play until they reach somewhat a year or two in their playing. Basically I was told I played the keys in a way intermediate to professional piano players only knew how to play.
This baffled me, I couldn’t understand what was so special about my playing. As I randomly searched the internet for pianos and whatnot, I came across this video. I found out from here that everything this kind and talented woman is teaching, I already understood and practiced them. I even did the little elegant gliding effect in my playing of the piano just as she is doing.
Now I know why I’m called a prodigy when I can’t even do sheet music yet. I guess this came naturally to me compared with other people.
I’m sorry if I might have come across as egotistical, I just wanted to share this with you guys.
Great videos!Great work!You are an amazing teacher.I found out recently that my technique was wrong sooo 12 years of playing piano was in vain now im starting over trying to figure out the russian way of playing which is definetely the best way in playing the piano
So interesting!!!! Tomorrow morning, I'll start practicing with your tips! I've always found my playing so brutal, without knowing exactly what to do to improve. Thank you so much for this very very interesting class.
I can watch your videos for hours on end. So very well explained! It really helps my playing in such great ways.
Thank you, Dimitri! ;)
Yes, these lessons are sheer genius. And generous! So heartening to see.
Thank you very much! :)
Russian piano school seems to have a very good and well structured system, I didn't get this much depth into how to actually hit the key, but apart from that he is a very good teacher, which is nice lol. Thanks for your videos, they are really helpful
+Randy te Morsche You are very welcome! :) The correct whole-arm weighted key attack might indeed seem a bit complex (especially if this is the first time you come across the concepts of whole-arm action, pre-hearing, a gradual key attack etc.). However, with consistent practice (and access to quality information on these topics), your understanding will gradually become much deeper, and you will be able to create a very beautiful, singing and rich piano tone. You can learn more by watching and reading my other 40+ free videos and articles (find all of them, including the RUclips videos, on PianoCareer.com, my piano blog). If you want to study all these concepts from scratch, in a progressive manner, harmoniously developing all your technical/expressive/analytical/aural/practice skills, join my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com - where you will have access to many hundreds of super-detailed tutorials (including step-by-step Courses and interactive projects). Find out more about this program by reading our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Good luck and enjoy your practice! ;)
If what you said "Piano mirrors your attitude" is true, then you're beautiful~
Thank you so much! ;)
Great piano instructional videos,they come across to me clear, concise, warmly delivered inviting disposition. I totally enjoy them.
+Gi zelop Thank you so much! ;)
Your videos are great!! I'm very grateful to you for posting these and I'm planning on signing up for your online academy soon. Thank you in advance.
Thank you for your great advice! It is very much appreciated!
I have been playing for a while, watching your videos I pick up a lot of tips. I watch your hand motions and I automatically try to mimic your movements. I have to play a little slower at first, but these videos are changing my technique greatly. It was my practice where I was gaining too much stress in my hands and didn't realize it. I have had a lot of lessons, no one mentioned stress. I watch a little every day, thank you!
I'm really happy that my tutorials are helpful, Dary! Enjoy your practice! :)
Thanks for such a clear explanation!
Thanks for your very helpful instructions. I learn a lot from your videos.
Thank you for this amazing lesson! This most important core principle of producing a beautiful piano sound is presented so clearly.
Thank you, Diane! I'm happy you enjoyed this tutorial! ;)
Well presented.. showing pivotal sensitivity to the singing tone and how to produce it. I'm with you all the way.. Thank you!
+Shirley Kirsten You're very welcome! Thank you for your comment! :))
Excellent demonstration! I can't wait to give it a try this evening.
Thank you, Dee! Enjoy your practice! :)
All I can say is Thank You. This is BIG for me... God bless 😃❤️🙏🏼
You are so welcome!
Ilinca - you are such a phenomenal piano player and teacher! It is unusual the 2 skills co-exist in the same person. I am so glad I found your teaching! The video doesn't replace the need for a physical teacher who can listen and correct but it has made my lesson and practice time so much more productive. Thank you so much!
+Christina Tseng You're very welcome! Thank you for much for your appreciation! :)))
I always enjoy your videos. This is the video that convinced me that I should enroll in your online course. i love sharing this video on the PianoWorld forum, since it really highlights your approach to learning the piano. Thank you!
My pleasure, Rich! Thank you for your appreciation! :))
Amazing sounds! Very clear presentation. What you say about the sound mirroring the state of mind is spot on. Thanks.
Thank you! ;)
Thank you, you are very kindly
Many thanks - really appreciate your excellent tutorials!
Thank you! ;)
I'm a self-tought beginner. Your video is very helpful. Love to watch your posture and hand gestures. Very beautiful. Thanks for your instruction.
You're very welcome! Thank you for your appreciation! :)))
Your tips are just amazing! They've been helping me a lot. Thanks for your great videos! :)
Koosha Tahmasebipour You're very welcome! Thank you for your appreciation! ;)
Eres tan profesional como hermosa. Gracias por compartir lo que sabes.
Such an awesome lesson so much knowledge well explained
Thank you! :)
You are a great teacher! you inspire every one ! Keep it up!
Thank you! ;)
Wow thanks a lot for this quick and good answer! So it is the lateral movement that's important.. and one should not raise the shoulders, I'll keep that in mind. Relaxed posture seems so hard to create when one is an adult beginner.. Gotta practice a lot on relaxation.
Your way of PIANO playing inspires others.. could you please make one video about the dynamics?
Hi Lohith! Thank you so much! :) I have already recorded a series of 3 tutorials dedicated to dynamics: the first episode is available for free here on RUclips and also on my blog: www.pianocareer.com/piano-expression/piano-dynamics/
Thank you so much llinca! I've seen n loved it
Gracias! Saludos desde Bolivia.
Thank you !!!!!
Great piano tutorial video. This is what my Russian piano teacher tell me as well. Thank you for the clear advice.
Thank you! I'm happy to hear that you're studying with a Russian teacher! :)
@@pianocareer I'm now watching many of your videos every night and practise according to what you have said. Spasiba
@@porvadeeniranviroj4224 You're very welcome! Enjoy your practice! ;)
Thanks for the lesson! None of my piano teachers taught me the correct piano key attack. BTW, you are a very beautiful girl!!! Wow!!! Wow!!! Wow!!!
LOL Thank you! :) Make sure you also watch my free tutorial about the 5 Basic Elements of a Correct Piano Posture (ruclips.net/video/InqmH-o1cX0/видео.html) - and also my newer tutorials as well :). Good luck!
Jason Ongchay Sioco they teach everything in Russia. Not just notes
Amazing and very lucid explanation
Thank you! :))
Thank you very much this has taught me alot you are a super pianist
Thank you, Arnold! ;)
Thank you this is really helpful. I was playing Piano with just my fingers, and was really dissatisfied with the sound I was getting. People like you are a god send, to those who are self taught.
Thank you for your appreciation! I hope you enjoy my newer tutorials as well! ;)
Thank you for sharing your knowledge! May you have a successful RUclips channel! I'm from Brazil 😊
Thank you very much! :)
Love it
It all depends on the desired sound character, on the tempo and also on the dynamic levels you're trying to create! Eighth notes can be played at different speeds (depending on the tempo) - and the faster you play them, the faster your key attack should be. However, I cannot assess the correctness of your key attack without seeing you play. The term 'bounce' is very relative :))).
You're welcome! Thank you for your comment! ;)
De nada! Gracias por tu comentario! ;)
Thank you for this video! I'm a self-taught piano player so I can't play quite in a professional level but your tutorial really helps me get closer :))
You're very welcome! ;)
You know how I know your a great teacher? I don't even play piano or even own one and I still got something out of this. Im here from an accidental click. But as a guitarist, what you said makes perfect sense in terms of striking a note and the attack of that note or chord. Feeling the note as you play it. I can eaisly apply that to my playing.
Now im gonna go watch your other video on the piano pedals because I have always wondered what the functions were. My guess is its some sort of sustain? Hey, who knows, there might be something there I can use too! Thank you Miss V for your time and for sharing.
Thank you - and I hope you enjoy my tutorials about the piano pedals! :))
Sehr hilfreich. Vielen lieben Dank! Mein Lehrer hat drei Jahre lang versucht, mir es beizubringen und ich kann immer noch nicht locker und entspannt spielen. Nach zwei Videos von Ihnen habe ich plötzlich verstanden, denke ich 🙂 Ich werde Dein Online Programm beitreten,.
Thank you! I'm really happy my tutorials were helpful - and we are looking forward to welcoming you to PCA! :)
@@pianocareer Thank you for your quick reply :-) May i ask a question? Do you have a full tutorial for the book "the russian school of piano playing" 1 and 2 in PCA?
@@anadultpianolearner89 Yes, of course! I have created an entire step-by-step Video Course for Beginners based on Nikolaev's "Russian School of Piano Playing". A couple of free sample lessons can be found here on RUclips, and also on my blog (PianoCareer.com). You can learn more about this course by reading my answer to question No. D2 from our detailed FAQ page (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs).
Thank you and see you soon on the Private Members Forum! ;)
Hi! This was a fragment from Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 1, the middle section of the 3rd movement :).
Bravaaaaaa!
Thank you! ;)
So if I'm looking good you keep your shoulders relaxed but move elbow outside when taking hand up? So not raising the arms with the shoulders but with the elbow?
you are very good, your explanations are very clear and precise. I would like to know how you manage to maintain the flexibility of the wrist with the legato or legatissimo. Thank you
Thank you very much! In legato playing, we use the ergonomic technique which I have translated as 'wrist navigation' - the flexible wrist leads the way, anticipating the layout of the passage or melody. The arm is never disconnected either - it acts as a powerful crane in charge of the bigger position shifts. Because of this arm & wrist navigation, the fingers are left with the easy job of following. So, once the wrist is used as a 'three-dimensional navigator', flexibility is the only option (it's simply impossible to keep it rigid in this case). I have detailed tutorials on this topic on PianoCareerAcademy.com :).
Looks like I have to start all over again. I guess, this technique would also transform the way I play jazz on the piano. Bill Evans also had a beautiful touch when playing solos.
Currently I'm trying to drop my fingers correctly with as little force as possible-that's by far not on your high level of playing, but it's a start....
Thanks for posting this.
Stay beautiful...!
Thank you so much, Karl! :) Yes, a healthy ergonomic technique that is based on the natural physiology of our body (and also makes smart use of gravity and leverage) can be applied to any style of music (of course, adapting it to the individual sound-quality necessities of each style). By the way, I recommend switching your focus from your fingers (you wrote 'trying to drop my fingers') to the arm and wrist. Once we learn how to play with the entire loose arm, taking the energy from the back - finger work becomes an effortless breeze. Fingers are simply receivers that channel the energy, not initiators of movement :).
I just logged to say that i totally agree with mind spirt conection that you talk about, many musicians that forget this part don't go so far... (i'm following this path for the hapiness too, thank you for your encouragement)
By the way, did you ever noticed you look like Ana Vidovic? (A classical virtuous guitar player).
Thank you! The tutorial about scales is already on my to-do list - it will be live in a month or two ;) And you can certainly learn how to read music - I have recently launched a step-by-step Video Practice Guide for beginners based on Nikolaev's "Russian School of Piano Playing". Lesson No. 1 is free (here and on my site - 1st link in description box). All the other lessons are available for the members of my Piano Coaching Program at Piano Career Academy. Good luck! ;)
Wow, this is really awesome explanation and very few videos has done this. Is there a daily routine or exercise I can do to improve on the soft deep touch?
Thank you! It's not about routines and exercises - it's about internalizing the healthy whole-arm weighted technique. There's obviously a step-by-step process for that - but it's done through repertoire and a well-rounded training (not just separate exercises). The entire method is covered in my Course for Beginners at PianoCareerAcademy.com :).
You really taught me how to be relaxed when hitting the notes/keys.👌 Now, my Mary Had a Little Lamb sounds nice.lol Thank you, madam!😉
My pleasure! Keep the spirit as you slowly move forward to more complex pieces! ;)
PianoCareer Will do, ma'am. I'm trying to work on polishing the Canon in D.😉 I might even upload the video to my YT channel.hehe It's also really a pleasure and wonderful hearing from you. Or, in this case, reading your reply.hehe Thanks again!
@junksabs Thank you and good luck in your practice! ;)
Hi ..
I am trying to learn piano through online but not getting proper tutor or course. I watched ur few videos and u r amazing.
Really. looking for your help to make me perfect pianist.
live long life
God bless you.
+Rahul Shah Hi! Thank you for your appreciation! :)) You can find many hundreds of other detailed tutorials (dedicated to a wide variety of piano topics and pieces for all levels, including step-by-step courses, interactive projects etc.) in the Members Area of my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com. You can learn more about PianoCareerAcademy.com and its functionality by reading our super-detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Enjoy your practice! ;)
This I was searching for❤❤❤
Thanks beautiful lady!!!
Do you have a course for absolute beginners?
Thank you! ☺️ Yes, of course - I have a step-by-step Course for Beginners on PianoCareerAcademy.com. You can learn more about our program (and the Beginner Course) by taking a look at our detailed FAQ page [ www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs ].
Great explaination. The finger also needs to prepare (form a rounded structure) before sinking into the key, other wise the sound does not have a core, right?
No, not really. Professional piano playing is based on whole-arm action and weighted playing. The 'core' of the sound depends on how you channel arm weight into the key - not on finger preparation. Our fingers are just 'supports' for the weight coming from our back - and not the initiators of the key attack. They can only become strong (and naturally 'rounded') if they learn how to carry weight - and not thought separate 'finger preparation' or 'finger exercises'. This topic is too complex to be covered in a short reply - and you can learn it from scratch, in a step-by-step manner, by following my Video Course for Beginners (available on PianoCareerAcademy.com). Find out more about this Course (and about the functionality of my Piano Coaching Program) by taking a look at our detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Please pay special attention to questions No. 17 (dedicated to the Beginner Course), No. 19 (dedicated to the Scale Course) and 1-6 (you will learn how PCA works, what is included in the membership etc.). Good luck! ;)
Amazing!
+Andre Nobre Campos Thank you! :)
+Andre Nobre Campos
Yes, amazing. Seeing/hearing the contrast in sound ("ugly, brutal" vs "deep, sonorous").
You show me exactly what I want, and I did not know how to name it.
Thank you .
+John Kilbourne You're very welcome! ;)
@doidao47 Thank you! ;)
As a matter of fact, I once worked with a manager who works with Ana Vidovic on a regular basis - and he also said that I have something in common with her LOL She's an amazing guitar player, by the way!!!!
So here's a question:
What are your thoughts on the methodology of slightly faster groupings of notes? During the arpeggios and say, some of the faster runs, by eye it seems far more reliant on pure finger work even in this video because your hand either doesn't need to shift or shifts but has to immediately play a sequence of notes. This seems true of most other pianists as well. At that point is the piano touch more of a mental note to play controlled and soft or am I missing something.
In correct piano playing, all your joints (shoulders, elbows and wrists) should be relaxed and flexible. In moving the arm, both shoulders and elbows are involved, however the shoulders themselves should NOT be raised!!! You can only make lateral shoulder movements, without bringing the shoulders to your ears LOL Keeping your shoulders down and relaxed is very important for a correct, whole-arm key attack :). You can learn more from my article "The Piano Posture and the Energy of the Sound" ;).
I'm a guitarist, so I don't care what's the piano touch at all, I come here because you are so beautiful.
+Quyuan Leo And you are so cute!
This might explain why I seem to do better when I change sounds on my keyboard from piano to strings. I indeed soften my touch with softer sounds and I'd need to attack the keys that same way with piano sounds. My current one (Yamaha P-45) does have a nice weighted action. It's a useful remark that your mind is in control as opposed to your fingers crying for help and the brain saying "nah, figure it out for yourself". :-)
I'm happy that my tutorial was useful! :) Learning how to create a singing tone on the piano is a complex (and very rewarding!) mental-aural-technical process - and I cover more of its elements in other tutorials as well. Enjoy your practice! ;)
you make it look soon easy
Thank you! It's simply the result of MANY years of consistent practice :).
so with your method, there is no need to do finger strengthening exercises ,such as Hanon?
Hi! In your question, you make the assumption that finger strength is not important if using whole-arm action. This is incorrect. Whole-arm action is a complex set of techniques (not just one type of movement). It means that the pianist can use the possibilities of his ENTIRE upper body in the playing process (depending on the requirements of the moment): starting with the tiniest movements of the last finger joint, using the wrists and elbows as 'flexible bridges', reaching the enormous power that is channeled from the back and shoulders through the relaxed arms, and also using the force of gravity and the leverage principle smartly. Finger strength is a crucial element of a healthy piano technique. However, it's not very efficient to develop this skill separately (by using 'finger strengthening exercises'). Our fingers and hands get strong by learning to carry the weight of the arm (not by performing separate 'finger lifting movements'). I have very detailed articles and videos on this topic in the Members Area of PianoCareerAcademy.com. Regarding Hanon - I share my opinion in my detailed answer to question No. 30 from our public FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/).
Great teaching! When playing fast passages, I only use my fingers, which produces uneven notes. It makes sense to "transfer the weight of the arm to each finger tip" to produce even notes. But I don't know how to channel the weight of the arm to the finger tips.
Hi! Thank you! :) You can learn whole-arm action from scratch, in an enjoyable progressive manner, by following my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (available in the Members Area of PianoCareerAcademy.com). This Course will help you to develop ALL your piano skills (technique, expression, hearing, reading, theory & analysis, pedaling etc.) in a harmonious manner, according to the professional system used in the Russian piano school. Find out more about this Course by reading my detailed answer to question No. 17 from our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Good luck! ;)
@@pianocareer I can't wait to get to that. Thank you for sharing your insight of Russian school of piano!
What are some tips that you recommend to strengthen your left arm to give it the stamina and speed to play quick passages requiring all 5 fingers?
Shortly - a LOT of correct practice! :). If you're right-handed, your left hand is obviously not as obedient. This is normal - and it simply needs more training. If you practice correctly, consistently, and in a progressive manner (in other words, if you're not skipping levels, and you learn all the needed fundamentals) - your left hand will slowly 'catch up' and become as obedient and agile as your right hand. And you should not just focus on 'quick passages' - for maximum results, you need to develop your entire 'technical arsenal'. Also, speed and agility are not JUST about 'strength' or 'stamina'. First and foremost, you need to learn how to play without tension (in a free whole-arm manner). Tension is the greatest 'inhibitor' of speed - and all your efforts will be in vain if you don't learn the fundamentals of an ergonomic technique first (whole-arm action, weight channeling, arm/wrist relaxation and 'navigation', how to use the 'lever' principle etc.). I teach all these things in a step-by-step manner on PianoCareerAcademy.com :).
Could you please tell me what is the Chopin piece you play at 3:40? I would love to learn it. Thank you.
Hi! It's Chopin's beautiful Etude op. 25 No. 7! :) Enjoy learning it - it's absolutely wonderful! :D
Hi, thank you for this amazing content! How can lifting the weight of your arm up or pushing the key down after the attack affect the sound? Which one is preferable and why?
Hi Maria! Lifting the arm up helps us to relax and refresh the muscles - and it also offers us power in case we need to play something deep and resonant: the higher we lift our arms, the less effort we need to exert for playing loudly; instead of overworking our muscles, we use the force of gravity to our advantage. Playing with free, fluid and ample gestures is an important part of a professional ergonomic whole-arm technique. However, the 2nd technique you described (pushing the key down after the key attack) is unnecessary and dangerous: it is called keybedding and can lead to tension and injuries. In my video above I don't talk about keybedding - but about making sure that our key attack is GRADUAL (instead of being percussive and 'striking'). A 'gradual' key attack means that we press the key with less speed, as if 'sinking' our finger into a soft dough or pillow (instead of 'hitting' a hard surface). This technique helps us to create a beautiful, rich and deep piano tone. Once the key has been depressed, however - we stop pressing and exerting unnecessary effort. The piano sound cannot be manipulated AFTER the key has reached the keybed - therefore our playing needs to be energy-efficient. This is obviously a very short and incomplete explanation - but you can learn all the elements of ergonomic piano technique from scratch, in a progressive manner, by following our courses and tutorials at PianoCareerAcademy.com 😊.
@@pianocareer thank you so much indeed this is so informative and helpful 😊
@curzmg Thank you!!! :)))
I want to enroll in your online private teaching. Do you do one on one. ? I hve been playing the piano with diffrent piano teachers but theres no one ever told me how ro relax the wrist and arms hope you can help me. I cant even play a new piece coz im really stressed about this.
Hi Barbie! You can learn how to play piano correctly (and develop a healthy ergonomic technique) by following my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (available on PianoCareerAcademy.com). This Course will help you to improve ALL your piano skills (technique, expression, hearing, reading, theory & analysis, correct practice, pedaling etc.) in a harmonious manner, according to the professional system used in the Russian piano school. As a member of our program, you can also receive weekly feedback to your recordings. Due to my overloaded schedule, I don't offer individual lessons - but the membership is a much more comfortable (and affordable) option: you can learn at your own pace, with no time constraints (you will have unlimited access to our entire library of tutorials for as long as you remain a member) :).
Hi , i am a classically trained pianist who's been making the transition to jazz for the last 3 years. I was wondering why i dont see jazz pianists as a rule use the the Russian Schools weighted hand movt that you so expertly demonstrate on this video.
Jazzers tend to have a pretty "set "wrist when compared with classical players, at first i thought it was regarding the classical schools emphasis on legato ,but now i am not so sure. Wondered if you had any thoughts on the matter.Incidentally i think it is unfair that you have ,prodigious talent, beauty and a lovely character too. Think the universe should spread its qualities around a little more.
Hi Alex! I'm not an expert when it comes to jazz music (can only play jazz pieces if they're written down in a score LOL) - and I must confess I'm not familiar with all the reasons behind jazz pianists' technique :). For the most part, their 'lack of whole-arm action' is probably a question of misinformation and tradition (just like it happens with so many classical students who still play by using the old-school 'finger-only' approach, simply because they haven't been taught otherwise) - but it could also have other causes as well (for example, the more 'metallic' sound colors they're trying to achieve). And by the way, I've seen many awesome jazz pianists in my country who DO play by using proper whole-arm action, with wonderful results! Also, thank you for your compliments - but I must confess that in my case it's not about talent, it's about MANY years of VERY hard work LOL, determination, did I mention hard work? - then some more work, a LOT of studying, and I also workout and eat healthy like there's no tomorrow. In my opinion, the universe spreads its qualities very fairly - but some people simply don't make the most of what they have (and also don't believe that they can TRANSFORM what they have and create what they wish). :)))
Thanks for the advice it is very much appreciated.I am embracing the whole arm technique with enthusiasm.
My pleasure! Enjoy your practice! :))
I think it has multiple factors to be honest. Jazz pianists often have other focuses and forget to train the attack. Then there are other jazz pianists that think they develope an individual more "jazzy touch" by just playing a lot and not worrying about their technique. I think that to develope a more individual touch, which is what many jazzers try to do, you have to firstly learn how to touch it rightly. Jazz is about expressing your emotional state in the most sincere way possible, and I think a warm, deep touch is fundamental for that.
Did not Horowitz use the finger approach, fingers close to the keys, pressing touch, not using the arm much?
Hello, how do you play the pinky? My pinky seems to be collapsing on the 2nd joint (proximal interphalangeal joint) and I think that is why my playing is tensed because the pillars or the foundation to bear weight is collapsing and is not curved. Any tips to make the pinky curve well and not collapse? Or any exercise to make it steadily curved. Thank youuuu
Hi Adrian! The problem you describe could be caused by 2 main factors:
1. Incorrect technique (using the old-school 5-finger approach, instead of whole-arm weighted playing).
1. Joint hypermobility (I’m not a doctor, but I do know that some people find it more difficult to prevent their joints from ‘collapsing’). This can always be corrected with the help of weighted playing - it might just take a little longer.
Most Western methods are based on the so-called ‘5-finger approach’: students start playing legato straight away, in a rigid ‘5-finger’ position, by simply lifting and lowering the fingers. The arm is not involved in the process. This is a shortcut to tension and weak fingers (I explain the reasons in many tutorials). In the Russian piano school, we begin by learning how to play with the entire arm, non-legato. First we only play with the 3rd finger - and we gradually incorporate the other 4 (the pinkie is the last to ‘join’). Carrying weight (and doing it correctly, without harmful tension) is the best way to strengthen our fingers (including the pinkie) - and preventing the joints from ‘collapsing’.
My entire Video Course for Beginners at PianoCareerAcademy.com is based on the professional Russian method - and in the Members Area of our site you can also find tutorials dedicated to this specific problem (how to strengthen the fingers, how to prevent the pinkie from collapsing etc.).
One more thing: because the pinkie is our shortest finger, it is rarely ‘curved’. Most of the time, it should be kept almost vertical (with a very slight ‘bend’ in the joints). This position is obviously flexible (depending on the individual ‘construction’ of your hand, and the exact pattern you play) - but the important thing is to treat your fingers as ‘pillars’, as ‘receivers’ that transfer the arm weight into the keys - and not as separate ‘levers’ that move on their own. I hope this helps! 😉
No way to be better explained
She is so gorgeous!!!
it's me again, I can't find " Piano Community Forum (launching on the 15th of February 2012)" where you explain what I asked you in the previous comment. how can I find it?
thank you again
Simply follow the first link in the Description Box :). Back in 2012 we called it a 'forum' - but since then PianoCareerAcademy has grown into a large online Academy hosted on a modern platform (we migrated to a new website in 2021). All the older tutorials are available as well. As a member of PCA, you get unlimited access to every single lesson and Course I have created since 2010 - almost 1000 titles as this point (plus interactive projects and other unique features). You can learn more about the functionality of our program by taking a look at our detailed FAQ page: www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs
how does your piano teaching technique apply to someone who can only afford a keyboard? Since there are no hammers and strings ? I think you are the best! Thank you for sharing your amazing talent and knowledge!
Thank you for your appreciation, it means a lot! 😊 To answer your question: the technique I teach applies to all instruments with keys, with no exception. I recommend that everyone learns how to play with a healthy and ergonomic technique. Whole-arm action and weighted playing allow us to play with freedom, power and ease on ANY instrument. Sure, non-weighted electronic keyboards don't require a lot of force to depress the keys (as compared to acoustic instruments, or weighted digital pianos). As a result, the stiff finger-only technique is not very dangerous in such cases. However, once you form the habit of playing 'only from your fingers', learning whole-arm action can be quite difficult, and switching to an acoustic piano could cause extra tension and injuries. So it makes more sense to learn a universal technique that is 100% safe, regardless of the instrument you start with. Yes, weighted playing might not make a difference in the quality of your SOUND (if you play a keyboard), but it will make all the difference in your body, enabling comfort, speed, power and brilliance. To summarize: finger-action only works on non-weighted keyboards and harpsichords; whole-arm action works everywhere. Extra tip: if you can, buy a weighted keyboard (as I explain in reply No. G2 from our FAQ page: www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs ). You can also learn more about the difference between the old-school 'finger' technique and the ergonomic whole-arm action by watching episode No. 2 from my free 'Piano Myths' series: www.pianocareer.com/7-dangerous-piano-myths/ I hope this helps! 😉
@@pianocareer Thank you so much for the detailed response! I have been watching everything I can find from piano academy. You look so graceful when you play and it clearly makes a difference in tonality and artistic expression. When I decided to teach myself 2 years ago, I started with Fur Elise (yeah, now I know). I have a lovely Yamaha weighted keyboard, but I think I've been "typing". LOL. Your videos are so enlightening and I have ordered the Nikolaev beginner books and am going back to square one! Focusing on your wholistic approach and developing a whole arm technique.. Although I am old now, there is still so much to learn. ☺
@@CHERYLRYAN-dw4px Thank you, Cheryl! 🥰 By the way, the video above is quite old (published back in 2011, before the launch of PianoCareerAcademy). Since then I have created an entire 100-lesson Video Course for Beginners based on Nikolaev's method book (available on PCA). Yes, this book is wonderful, but it cannot be used without the guidance of an experienced teacher 😊. What we play does matter - but HOW we do it is crucial, and cannot be explained in written form. This Course can be used by experienced players as well (not just absolute beginners), for re-training your skills and setting a stable, healthy and well-rounded piano foundation (with a focus on ergonomic technique, aural training and expressive mastery). You can learn more by taking a look at my detailed answer to question No. D2 from our FAQs here: www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs
How do you use all your wrist and arms and all that movement if youre playing a piece with fast runs and passages? Hows that possible? I am really curious, i suck at playing expressively and quickly im just a beginner i need anwsers! Wish i could learn privately from you
+Troy Low I always use my fingers i practiced hanon too much i dont know how to use my wrist and arms freely
+Troy Low Hi Troy! I just wrote a big answer to another one of your questions (under my tutorial about scales and arpeggios) - but there you mentioned that you've been practicing for 6 years, so how can you be a beginner? :) If you are indeed a beginner, I recommend starting with my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners, which will help you to learn how to play piano correctly, from scratch, according to the professional system used in the Russian piano school, developing all your technical/expressive/analytical skills harmoniously, in a progressive manner (including your passage technique - which is a very SMALL element of the complex art of piano playing). You will find a detailed description of this Course in our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/), answer No. 17.
To answer your first question shortly - we need to adapt our wrist movements (and their amplitude) to the exact layout of the passage we play (and also to the intended speed). For example - we can use: ample vertical movements when we play in a slow or moderate tempo, non-legato; horizontal movements - for facilitating the execution of passages containing wide stretches; minimum movements (but without losing the wrist relaxation which we TRAIN in a slow tempo, with ampler movements) - in playing fast scale-like passages (without big stretches) - and so on!
Regarding your 2nd question - indeed, if you are playing by using the old-school 'finger-only' technique, it's only normal to experience speed walls and lack of progress! You can learn how to play by using whole-arm action, a weighted key attack and arm/wrist relaxation combined with hand/finger strength (which are the main technical fundamentals of the Russian piano school) by following my Beginner Course (which I mentioned above).
Regarding Hanon - please read answer No. 30 from the FAQs, where I share my opinion about these exercises.
You can learn more (and discover many important ergonomic technical principles used in the Russian piano school) by watching the tutorials available on PianoCareerAcademy.com! ;)
Hi ma'am! still a beginner in learning the piano instrument my problem is that every time I play,my little finger doesnt stay on the keys ( curled position) What should I do in order to fix this? thank you!:)
Hi Akari! Excessive finger curling is usually a sign of too much tension in your hand/wrist - which in its turn is probably caused by an incorrect playing habit (it's possible that you don't know how to relax the arm and wrist yet, how to use the entire arms in the playing process [instead of using separate finger movements] etc.). The 5th finger is not a separate entity and cannot be fixed on its own, but only as part of a whole - and for this, you need to understand the bigger picture. The best solution is to learn how to play correctly, one step at a time, and to make sure that you're not missing any fundamentals - such as correct posture (you can watch my free video about posture: ruclips.net/video/InqmH-o1cX0/видео.html), whole-arm weighted key attack (like I describe in the video above), wrist flexibility and relaxation, rounded hand dome with strong fingers etc. In order to learn all these fundamentals in a serious, progressive and thorough manner, you need access to correct information (the guidance of a professional teacher) - and also patience and practice :). You can do all this by either taking real-life lessons from a good teacher (who is familiar with the professional principles I described above) - or by following my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners. Lesson No. 1 from this course is available for free on RUclips and also on my blog (www.pianocareer.com/piano-practice/nikolaev-russian-piano-school-practice-guide/). All the other Lessons can be found in the Members Area of my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareeerAcademy.com :). Good luck! ;)
Hi Ilinca you have a very interesting approach to piano playing, and very clear explanations! Do you currently teach in person too, somewhere or do summer stages/workshops or other?
Thank you, Pier! :) I dedicate my entire time to my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com - and unfortunately, this makes it impossible me to offer individual lessons as well. The reasons are explained in more detail in our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/), especially:
No. 13: find out I cannot offer individual lessons.
No. 1-3: discover what PianoCareerAcademy is, how it works and what is included in the membership.
No. 4-6: learn more about our membership options (monthly and yearly) - and how they work.
while playing Haydn's allegro ... 1 st movement from sonata in c ....at the end my arms are paining too much..... and also I'm stopping....
+Gowtham G.P Hi! Tension and pain are usually symptoms of an incorrect playing habit. You will find out more by reading my detailed free article dedicated to this topic - find it under question No. 31 from our FAQs at PianoCareerAcademy.com (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Good luck and practice correctly! ;)
Does it work on e-piano with graded keys?
I mean the soft touch, because I've noticed that to play louder I must hit harder and push keys to its beds.
Sound production is not the only reason behind using the whole-arm weighted key attack (as opposed to just pressing the keys randomly).
Generally speaking, this ergonomic technique has three main purposes:
1. Creating a beautiful piano tone (this applies to acoustic pianos and also digital instruments with touch-sensitive weighted keys).
2. Technical freedom and protection from tension and injuries.
3. Forming good playing habits.
The 2nd and 3rd purposes are very important as well. Even if we don't have access to an acoustic piano (or weighted digital instrument), we still need to play correctly - otherwise we risk developing bad habits and even acquiring an injury.
You can lean more by watching my free tutorial dedicated to injury prevention (www.pianocareer.com/piano-health/avoid-piano-injuries/) and also by reading my answer to question No. 24 from our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/), where I share more information about playing on a digital piano. Good luck! ;)
@@pianocareer thanks for the response. indeed, I will give a more closer examination to your site. I appreciate your help.
Best wishes.
What do you think about learning to play on digital Keyboards? Can they react to this sort of expressive playing?
+DonswatchingtheTube Yes, it's entirely possible to create a wide range of expressive effects on digital pianos and keyboards - if they have weighted action and touch-sensitive keys. You can find out more by reading my detailed answer to question No. 24 from our FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/) - where I explain why these features are needed (and many other useful things).
Hello, I've learned here that the whole arm should be user just like a mechanism to provide the sound but why did my teacher discussed something about the weight coming from the different parts of the body, 1. The torso, 2. Shoulder weight , 3. Forearm weight 4. Wrist weight and 5. The finger weight. I am quite confused about this topic, do you have any videos regarding this? I'm in my 2nd year in college right now in Music Performance, I can play pieces but I think I need to be first sure about how to use this technique properly because I'm really confused how does the different body parts work as a weight provider. I can't ask my teacher tho he is in the hospital because of the pandemic :(( Can you help? Thank you
Used*
Hi Adrian! This is quite a complex question :). There are two main things to keep in mind here - ergonomics (technical freedom) and sound production.
From the point of view of ergonomics, weighted playing (as part of whole-arm action) is the most energy-efficient way to press the piano keys. The larger the muscles we take the needed 'energy' from - the less effort we need to make while playing (which ensures less tension and fatigue, no injuries and great technical control).
From the point of view of sound production - the amount of weight we channel into the keys depends on the sound color and intensity we wish to create. The more weight we channel - the deeper and more resonant the sound.
However, in my opinion, there is no 'clear' separation between 'back/torso weight', 'shoulder weight', 'forearm weight' etc. A pianist's upper body needs to work as one unit: the 'energy channels' that go from fingertip all the way into the lower back should always stay 'open' (this is just a metaphor to reflect the fact that we never fully 'disconnect' the shoulder or arm while playing, and we don't 'lock' any joints).
So I explain this a bit differently than your teacher (but the end result is probably quite similar): depending on our expressive tasks, we channel more or less wight into the keys (this happens under the strict guidance of our inner hearing). For example, if we play very lightly, we don't call this 'playing with finger weight', or 'playing with hand/wrist weight'. We simply use LESS weight, and put more 'focus' into the fingers or hand (but without disconnecting them from the rest of the arm, which can result in blockages and tension). We can also say that the fingers are more 'active' in certain fragments, that the wrist or elbow are 'leading the way' in other cases (which can be combined with any amount of weight), or that the upper arm is more 'peaceful' in some situations etc. So the focus point can change - but the whole-arm playing principle remains.
Still, please keep in mind the MEGA-principle of piano playing: technique cannot be separated from tone (as I explain in this free tutorial: ruclips.net/video/s0fFVGzBFqc/видео.html). The way we play is always a flexible process, and our movements have to be fully adapted to the necessities of the piece or fragment (and the exact layout of the text). When we learn a piece, we don't start with "what techniques should I use?", or "where does the weight come from?". We start with "how should this sound?" - and THEN we find the most appropriate movements to express it.
This is obviously a very incomplete answer. I demonstrate and explain all these principles in a super-detailed manner in my stand-alone tutorials on this topic (and also in my step-by-step Courses) that you can find in the Members Area of PianoCareerAcademy.com :).
PianoCareer is it the same as when my teacher told me to play lightly, the fingers should be more active and the rest of the arm or the body should be relaxed and loose? But when I play, in the long run i always tense up, I think it's my anxiety? Well, thank you for this reply!! Your channel is really helpful ❤️
@@adrianpaolomonterey4948 Anxiety is definitely a cause of tension, but it is not the only one. The main culprit is usually incorrect technique. You can learn more by watching my free tutorial on this topic: ruclips.net/video/tf2rbCjOpfA/видео.html :).
I've got a question to ask. I'm a piano beginner and my piano teacher told me to play merely with my fingers while keeping a relaxed shoulder, arm, and a firm palm. For example, she would stop me for playing like a women and being too artificial and affected whenever I raised my wrist with my fingers being almost vertical pointing to the floor like what this video suggests is correct at the end of a slur. Is my piano teacher right about that ? and that she just wants me to build up my fingers first before moving onto the wrist, elbow, arm, shoulder things?
Hi! I don't want to jump to conclusions without having more information about your teacher's method. From your description it seems that she uses the old-school 'fingers-only' approach (which has lots of technical and expressive limitations) - but I might be wrong :). I teach whole-arm action and weighted playing (the professional approach used in the Russian piano school). You can find many hundreds of super-detailed video tutorials on this topic in the Members Area of my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com :). You can learn more about the functionality of this program by taking a look at our detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/). Please pay special attention to answers No. 17 (dedicated to my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners), No. 19 (dedicated to the Scale Course) and 1-6 (you will learn how PCA works, what is included in the membership etc.). Good luck! ;)
thx! I'm checking those out right away :)
How do you prevent pressing keys accidentally ;~;
Analysis, understanding, focus - and LOTS of consistent, detailed practice! You can learn more about each of these elements of an efficient piano practice by watching the tutorials available in the Members Area of my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com :).
James Raphael Sese practice
If only the teachers were like you in Canada lmao.
Wonderful videos! If I may offer a native's slight correction on an important word: you say "brutal" where you probably mean "brittle." Of course, if you do mean "brutal" (savage, violent), then never mind! I suppose some "brittle" playing is, in its own way, quite brutal too! I hope you won't take my small correction amiss: your English is extraordinarily good.
+StoneChords Hi! Thank you for your appreciation! I actually mean 'brutal' - which means playing in a harsh, insensitive, percussive manner :))) - and which is obviously an incorrect approach.
+PianoCareer Well then, my apologies, I stand corrected! Since I'd heard the term "brittle" used often to describe a certain kind of attack, I assumed you meant that word, but indeed, "brutal" is more descriptive as a VERY ugly sound! Now that I think of it, it's the perfect opposite of another word you use to to describe as a goal in piano touch: Noble. And you do surely have a noble posture and sound at the piano! Cheers -- John
+StoneChords No worries! :)) Thank you! ;)
I tried to study piano but it's difficult and to start with, I don't like the feel of playing. It's like the attack of a piano is for me obfuscated, not direct enough. . I wonder if a brand of piano exists where the attack is so direct that even a very slight touch already results in a very soft hammering. On the pianos I tried at least, a very soft, superficial pressing the note, gives no sound.
Hi Jean-Pierre! Acoustic pianos have a weighted mechanism. To produce a beautiful sound, our key attack needs to have weight as well (instead of being superficial). When playing the piano, we don't simply 'touch' the keys - instead, we 'dive' into them, channeling the entire weight of our arm (and sometimes the entire upper body). If done correctly and ergonomically, good piano technique feels very comfortable and satisfying. On the other hand, a shallow 'touching' technique (even when it does result in an audible sound) can lead to tension, pain and even injuries. So it's not about finding a piano brand where the keyboard is not weighted (only electronic keyboards have that option, by the way). It's about changing the way you think about piano playing, and embracing the fact that our art requires a whole-body, weighted, deep, relaxed whole-arm technique (as opposed to delicate 'finger touches'). If you love music and would like to give our art a serious try, I recommend studying with a professional teacher who uses a whole-arm method; or, for a more comfortable and affordable option - you can join our program at PianoCareerAcademy.com, and follow my step-by-step Course for Beginners. This Course will help you develop your entire skillset from scratch, in a fun, progressive (but also serious and in-depth) manner. You can learn more by taking a look at our FAQ page here: www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs
Thank you.@@pianocareer
I watched it, felt enlightened, sat to my (sadly digital) piano to practise. A disaster. My wrists just don't move. The left one is apparently chopped out of wood. The right one is a block of wood with a tiny, half-mobile hinge. Now I know why my hands always hurt when I play. Still, don't think there's much hope.
Hi! I disagree - there's always hope! :)) Unless your wrist rigidity is caused by a medical condition - you CAN change your playing habit, and learn how to use your wrists correctly (in a fluid and relaxed manner). You can do so by following the progressive lessons of my step-by-step Video Course for Beginners (available in the Members Area of PianoCareerAcademy.com). If you want to learn more about my Piano Coaching Program, you can take a look at our detailed FAQs (www.pianocareeracademy.com/faqs/) - especially at my answers to questions No. 1-6 (find out how PianoCareerAcademy works, what is included in the membership etc.), No. 17 (a description of the Video Course for Beginners), and No. 31 (a detailed article where I describe the main cause of hand/wrist pain, and explain how to deal with them). Good luck, and never ignore practice-related pain! It is your body's way of telling you that you're doing something incorrectly!
Romanian teachers use the same technique.
Do they? I'm happy to hear that - but it's probably because your teacher studied in Moldova (where we follow the Russian system). As far as I know, most Romanian teachers follow Western methods :).
so easy I meant