A lesson with Seymour Bernstein, Part 4, "You and the Piano."
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- Seymour Bernstein, Part 4, "You and the Piano," a lesson with Seymour Bernstein based on his book WITH YOUR OWN TWO HANDS." This movie was produced and directed by Quin Mathews in 1986. (www.seymourbernstein.com)
Those last humanitarian words have me sobbing here!
Dear Dexter, Your response to my video moved me deeply. Thank you so much. Warm wishes to you.Seymour
Seymour Bernstein is the greatest teacher in the history of music -- in every aspect.
Um, no. Derek Remes takes that crown.
As a devoted singer and voice teacher, my encounter with Seymour's profound insights on the significance of personal integration through musical practice has been nothing short of life-altering. I've spent countless hours meditating on his enlightening words, absorbing the multitude of perspectives that have gently enveloped me. One question that has often surfaced is, "Why do I resist practice?" The answer, I've realized, lies deep within: to resist practice is, in essence, to shy away from confronting the Self. The realization that one may not live up to their ideal is a deeply unsettling and soul-stirring experience. The disparity between our imagination and our abilities can be devastating, leading us, at times, to avoid practice altogether.
However, when we do engage in practice, it's not uncommon for negative thoughts to encroach upon our minds, tempting us into a spiral of self-criticism for perceived inadequacies in skill or talent. But Seymour has taught me a valuable lesson: the manner in which we treat ourselves during practice echoes throughout our entire existence. It is through the gentle and kind approach to ourselves in the realm of music that we learn to extend that same compassion to other facets of our lives.
Now, when I observe students exerting undue force in their singing or pushing beyond their natural capabilities, I approach them with a newfound empathy, pondering, "What deeper motivations drive this force?" If such intensity is manifest in their singing, it's likely a reflection of other aspects of their lives. Music becomes a sanctuary where we can scrutinize these patterns, learning the art of allowance, surrender, and how to converse with ourselves with greater tenderness and love.
Echoing the words of Maria Callas, "It is very serious and difficult work, and it is not achieved by bravura or willpower alone, but through love, a devotion to what you cherish."
I am eternally grateful to Seymour for redirecting my focus towards love - the love of music and the love of self within music - allowing this to ripple outwards, enriching those around us and unveiling the true, transformative power of music.
Thank you for this beautiful comment. Ill try to remember it when practicing piano.
What a great ending speech, full of humanity and love! Thank you Seymour! I finally watched this marvelous series in 2019.
Dear Xujia, what a deeply moving response to my video. My deepest thanks, and all good wishes for the New Year.
Seymour
@@SeymourBernstein Dear Seymour, I have a question, if I may. In a video you made with a few years ago, you mentioned that when Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin wrote alberti accompaniment, they always wanted us to hold the base note. My question is: in fast tempo pieces, such as Alla Turca, does such rule apply as well?
@@xujia1001 Yes Xujla, it is possible to hold down the fifth finger even at fast tempi.
Seymour
@@SeymourBernstein Dear Seymour, it's so nice to have your reply! Thank you very much!
Seymour, to see that you are a real person and not a deity with such high information is unbelievable.
Of all the videos I have watched over the years I have never seen such a clear and precise demonstration of how to voice a chord. I tried many other methods but I just had no success.
Wonderful teacher.
You are a extraordinary soul.
Seymour, you are a treasure! Thank your for passing on your experience with such dedication, sensitivity and intelligence. I very recently discovered you on RUclips and have just got a copy of your book (from Japan!). I am seventy and started playing the piano last year ; I am so glad to have discovered you and your teaching at such an early stage in my career! With all my respect and affection, thank you.❤
That was an incredible lesson as was philosophical and ethereal. So much to express here but what I gleaned is …deeply love playing each note is to love yourself and thereby you are able to love others. I’ve never heard such beautifully articulated thesis on the gift of music before. Thank you so much. I’ll treasure this lesson for all times.
Yes, the analogy to the violin and bowing is so perfect..
You're a national treasure Seymour Bernstein.
Kyle, I am deeply grateful for this supreme compliment. Thank you.
Seymour
@waynekail I'm deeply moved by your message. Thank you so much.
Seymour Bernstein
VERY inspiring series ! Thank you, Mr. Bernstein.
Enfin quelqu'un qui parle du piano avec une dimension humaniste et pas simplement technique ou compétitive! Merci
Much better than a piano teacher telling me to "relax" or "play musically" with no suggestion on how to do that! It's rare to find a good quality RUclips video that contains such a wealth of useful information. I also want to buy your book.
I don't know any summary of piano technique that makes more sense - and it works, too! Thank you, Seymour.
Playing the piano is absolutely a privilege, and we should all be grateful for the physical abilities to do so, at any level of advancement. I am grateful every day for a life as a musician. It is great to see someone else really appreciate it, as well. The human hand is a miracle, and it can do anything when given a chance. Piano music and pianists have proven this. I thrive on analyzing piano playing. There are always more discoveries to be made at any age and level.
The remark at the end 👍👍
Thank you so much Mr Bernstein. You have enriched my life. Heartfelt gratitude ❤️🙏 God bless you with good health joy abundance n longevity ✨
Seymour, I have watched all 4 parts of your video twice and will probably watch it again. I agree with your comment in part 1 that "music is the language of feeling". A feeling is an intangible thing but your video addresses the tangibles such as how the piano makes sound, mechanics of fingering, breaching technique, and physical exercises. I found this to be very practical and useful information to become better at expressing my intangible feelings at the piano. Thank you for these videos!
If I am not motivated after all these 5 lessons !!!!! I love every second of it !!!!!! I am right now quiet happy. Left to practice
I'm sure recently you are getting quite a lot of extra inquiries and focus in the media. But looking at this video, and the fact that you have replied personally so often, I'm struck by what a NIFTY person you are. What a wonderful thing we have to have someone like you teaching in this way. I just wanted to thank you for being who you are. How lucky we are.
Tom, thank you for your generous compliments. They mean a great deal to me.
With warm regards.
Seymour
네편을 며칠에 걸쳐 조금씩 보면서 모르거나 옅게만 알던 것들, 무시하던 것들, 섬세함을 잊고 있던 것들에 대해 새로이 주목하게 되었다. 또 멀게만 느껴지던 피아니스트가 선생님으로 여겨진다, 감사합니다.
I loved this series of lessons. Clearly done with great care and insight, I wish I had this introduction when I started my journey decades ago learning to play this beautifully expressive instrument. I still have time to try to elevate my playing, so I am thankful to find it now. I also appreciate the concept of applying this lesson to relationships and life in general. Thank you for sharing, Mr. Bernstein.
Wow, that Schumann!! True mastery of the hands taught
I agree with all the above comments. I am totally enjoying these videos and learning a lot!! I am so happy to have found out about your teaching.
How I would have liked to have been your pupil .... Thank you Teacher!
What wonderful words at the end and in the entire movie! I'm going to start practice right now with those great insights in mind.
Thank you for this invaluable gift for musicians.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom 🙂
Great music maestro & person 🎶
What an amazing series and gift to musicians! This 4-part series is well done and contains priceless wisdom. I can watch it over and over again as the technique & life lessons are invaluable.
As a young student, I had a great symphonic percussion teacher (MK) who also taught technique in this way with lift, rotation, pronation and supernation. The focus on anatomy, efficiency, stability and the placement of energy took me back to those lessons that I've repeated to my students for 40 years.
MK's technical approach was revolutionary during the 1970s for both symphonic percussion & marching percussion. I feel sure he must have heard one of your excellent lectures as these were the same technical principles I was taught in 1978. I plan to ask at our next encounter. THANK YOU for making this series and making an older student practice piano - 😉.
Fantastic teaching, thks
Grazie Maestro!
I see Lang Langs movie... i try copy this. Thanks for all rich things.
Amazing!!! I loved it!!
Thank you so much for posting these videos, it is very educational and inspiring!
This is by far my favorite, and I just blogged about it at my arioso7 wordpress blog site.
Long live the supple wrist.. which flies in the face of the Taubman contingent's beliefs.
Maestro Bernstein, I cannot agree with you more. I teach the UNDULATING wrist as the staple of my private practice. I don't really analyze the anatomical detail that you do, but I know viscerally how to sculpt a phrase with the falling and rising wrist. This is pivotal to the production of a singing tone.
Awesome I learn so much thank you!! I am an aspiring pianist and composer
@waynekail Dear Wayne, you expressed exactly what I had intended when I made this movie. I am very impressed with what you wrote. I'm sure that you must be a dedicated and highly intelligent musician.
Thank you for writing to me.
Seymour Bernstein
this is fantastic, so much helpful advice to consider when practicing!!! i will definitely tell all my friends about this.
I was a student of the late Lillian Lefkofsky Freundlich whom you may have known.
But the wrist's role in producing a singing tone came more from my having observed a few amazing Russian pianists.,
curves of energy.. exactly
Dear Olivier,
I was deeply moved by your comment. Thank you so much.
Seymour Bernstein
I am so happy to have stumbled across this video as it has helped me solve a source of tension in my piano playing. At one point in my practice, I decided not to allow my 5th finger to arc or bend, and kept it static. Months later I got tendonitis on BOTH my hands and I have been wondering why it happened,"Are my hands not good enough anymore?" I thought. After seeing this I have allowed my 5th fingers to bend and also activated the correct muscles to use them. I instantly felt the difference since this makes playing effortless, stress is eliminated in its entirety. Thank you for such great insights!
L
Than you so much. I was very moved by your response.
Seymour Bernstein
Dear apm58, first, thank you for being a fan of mine. Please note that the video in question was made years ago. Since then I have refinbed my terminology and ideas, although I see nothing confusing about the phrase "curves of energy." Your comment about leverage and fulcrum sounds most interesting. I assume you have written your own treatise on piano playing which I would be most interested to read.
Thank you for posting this, and warm regards to you.
Seymouir B.
💖
@cddancedonk How kind of you. Thank you.
Seymour Bernstein
I wish I had seen these videos ten years ago instead of wasting the last ten years not knowing how to practise effectively.
@kittyandjoemchugh Thank you so much.
Seymour
@mzeidwig This response, the most extravagant and generous one I have ever received, was sent by someone whose amazing gifts are off the charts! Thank you Mitchell Zeidwig.
Seymour
Thank you so much for this gift, especially as a pianist who has faced many physical challenges, your teaching is very helpful. Also, I do love the last piece you play here, could you tell me the title. Thanks again!!!
Carmine Coppola
Thank you Carmine for your generous response to my video. The last piece on Part 4 is "The Poet Speaks," the final piece from Schumann's Kinderscenen.
Warm regards to you.
Seymour Bernstein
Dear Carmine, i is my privilege to learn that this video has benefited you in so many ways. The last piece is the final segment of Schumann's Kinderscenen (Scenes from Childhood) entitled "The Poet Speaks."
My deepest thanks to you.
Seymour
@cddancedonk Thank you so much.
Seymour
Dear Olivier,
Mr. Bernstein many many thanks on simething that helped a lot to me...I am simply amazed how you can bring so close things about music that are very very complicated...It prooves yor knowledge and your understanding of relation human-music-piano...Many best wishies from Europe ( Serbia and Germany )
Thank you Nikola. I am so happy the video was of help to you. All good wishes to you.
Seymour
can anyone tell me which pieces he plays in this lesson ?
thank you very much
Perhaps this should be called You ARE the piano
@moriahmoriah93 Thank you Moriah.
Seymour
Thank you for all of the useful insights. This video is timeless. Long ago I already bought your book, but to see some things, like the arm roll, certainly helps. I was touched by the passage around 1 minute and 45 seconds. I believe it is a composition. Can you tell me which? Or was it just some improvisation to illustrate the possibilities with the arm roll? I also send you my best wishes for 2019, from Belgium - Europe
Dear Petyr, few experiences reward me as much as knowing that I have helped a musician to play better. Your note moved me deeply. Heartfelt wishes to you.Seymour
Seymour Bernstein Seymour Bernstein Thank you Mr Bernstein for your kind words coming from the other side of our planet. Could you tell me if what you are playing in the video - at 1 minute and 45 seconds - is just an improvisation? Or is it the beginning of a composition and which one? Looking forward to your answer, Pieter.
Oh, right, Peter. I forgot to respond to your query. In that section I am playing slow arpeggios in the L.H. and creating two note slurs in the form of appoggiaturas in the R.H. on each chord tone. For example when I played a C major arpeggio with the L.H.,, my R. H. played slowly, and sensitivity D-C. F-E, and A-G.It was nothing more than a simple improvisation.Seymour
Respond to this video... Thank you.
Seymour
@seeless
This was not the best idea to wear a black suit in order to make a video to demonstrate piano technique -_-