I now pay far more attention to ‘’togetherness” in scales ! After 50 years of playing, it is about time. Thanks for all your great videos. I wish you all the success you deserve !
Piano Newbie here with no musicality. So these lessons are really important as I try to improve. I'm trying to develop my left hand rhythm technique when I play scales, either playing arpeggios, or a ragtime bounce, or even stride. I'll use these tips also.
Nice tips. Thank you. I am an 8th Grade Trinity pianist. When I play scales very fast, I notice some notes don't get pressed well, especially regarding my left hand. So I decided to use the metronome and perfect one octave of scales at a time. This has helped me a lot. Will incorporate your tips too. I am 67 and did my 8 grade at 60!
I cannot say how much of a difference this video and your others have made to me as it is measure-less. You tell us how and why and demonstrate and the magic is the combination. Am reading/using "The Perfect Wrong Note" and I cannot thank you enough for your generous recommendation. Tremendous!
Thank you so much! As a beginner, I just realize that how important to practice avoiding mechanically. From listening the tones to how to touch the keys to producing solid, controlling sounds… Glad I am pay attention to them now to avoid correcting later. Would you please teach us more about how to play musically by different touches of keys? It is fascinating to know the tiny different approach make huge difference! Thank you so much indeed 🙏🙏🙏
Thanks so much for your comment and for your request! I think that would make a really good video topic. I'm planning on doing a series on expression and musicality and that will fit in perfectly with this theme. 😊
Excellent tips. Thank you. Please can you explain how to play scales in "a delighted OR sorrowful way". Can a C Major scale be played in both a delighted or sorrowful way?
There always needs to be an emotional component, even if you are playing technical exercises. Just like there is not just one way to be delighted or to be sorrowful, there is not just one way to play in a delighted or sorrowful manner. It depends on what YOU think those emotions should sound like. For example, if I'm playing a C Major scale in a delighted way, I may choose to play it lighter, or faster, or with a dramatic crescendo from the bottom to the top, because those effects sound more "delighted" to me. If I'm playing a C Major scale in a sorrowful way, I may play a slower tempo or I may play more quietly and in a slightly more detached way. But there are no specific rules on how to evoke those emotions. It's about making that connection for yourself - that is what makes your playing unique. Good luck!
Thanks, Doc. I also dabble in practicing scales in thirds or sixths. I know this is an advanced technique, but why not start early. I have a recurring nightmare that I practice it in fifths. Bach then appears and is frowning. I wake up in a cold sweat.
I like practicing to a backing track on RUclips. Just search "Bb major backing track" as an example. Then I just improvise up and down the scale, with various rhythm and expressions that fits the music.
Thank you so much for the video. You said to avoid "playing totally flat" and suggested to always play with some kind of crescendo/deminuendo. I don't quite understand why we shouldn't play the whole scale with the same volume, because I thought to practice with one dynamic throughout one scale helped me to train my fingers to produce even volume and avoid sudden loudness or softness. I might misunderstood what you mean...Could you clarify that for me, please?
While you certainly can play scales and exercises with no inflection, the idea is that the great thing about scales and arpeggios is that they are sort of a “blank canvas” for us to practice musical ideas on as well. As a general rule, when you play music you’re not going to want to play totally uninflected, so it’s good to practice scales with shaping so you’re also practicing musical shaping listening for the continuous line. That said, I agree that you don’t want to have notes sticking out and you want to cultivate an even tone. Therefore, practicing a smooth crescendo and diminuendo can be helpful.
![Slow Practice at the Piano [with 5 tips!] | The Piano Prof with Kate Boyd](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Hj_0YoJgHV8/mqdefault.jpg)
I just wanna say thank you, and that I'm grateful for what you do.
I appreciate that! Thanks for your kind words, and I'm so glad you're enjoying the videos!
You are a good teacher 😀
Thank you! 😊
I now pay far more attention to ‘’togetherness” in scales ! After 50 years of playing, it is about time. Thanks for all your great videos. I wish you all the success you deserve !
Thank you! Yes, it's important for the hands to play precisely together. Enjoy your practicing, and good luck!
Piano Newbie here with no musicality. So these lessons are really important as I try to improve. I'm trying to develop my left hand rhythm technique when I play scales, either playing arpeggios, or a ragtime bounce, or even stride. I'll use these tips also.
Nice tips. Thank you. I am an 8th Grade Trinity pianist. When I play scales very fast, I notice some notes don't get pressed well, especially regarding my left hand.
So I decided to use the metronome and perfect one octave of scales at a time. This has helped me a lot.
Will incorporate your tips too.
I am 67 and did my 8 grade at 60!
Great strategy! Thanks for sharing!
You are awesome! Thank you so much for your lessons.
You're very welcome! ☺️
Thanks Kate 🎉
My pleasure! 😊
it’s been very useful to me. Please keep on doing these lessons. I need them. thanks
Thank you for your kind words - your comment made my day! I am so glad you find these lessons helpful! Best of luck to you on your piano journey! 🎹🥰
I cannot say how much of a difference this video and your others have made to me as it is measure-less. You tell us how and why and demonstrate and the magic is the combination.
Am reading/using "The Perfect Wrong Note" and I cannot thank you enough for your generous recommendation. Tremendous!
Great to hear! I'm so glad that you are finding these tutorials helpful. It keeps me motivated to make more!
helpful inspirational programs, smart teacher, thank you!
Thank you for watching! 😊
This video gave me a lot to focus on when practicing my scales. Thank you so much! God Bless You!
You're so welcome! Thanks for your kind words!
Excellent tips Kate! thank you
Thank you so much!
As a beginner, I just realize that how important to practice avoiding mechanically. From listening the tones to how to touch the keys to producing solid, controlling sounds… Glad I am pay attention to them now to avoid correcting later.
Would you please teach us more about how to play musically by different touches of keys? It is fascinating to know the tiny different approach make huge difference!
Thank you so much indeed 🙏🙏🙏
Thanks so much for your comment and for your request! I think that would make a really good video topic. I'm planning on doing a series on expression and musicality and that will fit in perfectly with this theme. 😊
Excellent tips. Thank you. Please can you explain how to play scales in "a delighted OR sorrowful way". Can a C Major scale be played in both a delighted or sorrowful way?
There always needs to be an emotional component, even if you are playing technical exercises. Just like there is not just one way to be delighted or to be sorrowful, there is not just one way to play in a delighted or sorrowful manner. It depends on what YOU think those emotions should sound like. For example, if I'm playing a C Major scale in a delighted way, I may choose to play it lighter, or faster, or with a dramatic crescendo from the bottom to the top, because those effects sound more "delighted" to me. If I'm playing a C Major scale in a sorrowful way, I may play a slower tempo or I may play more quietly and in a slightly more detached way. But there are no specific rules on how to evoke those emotions. It's about making that connection for yourself - that is what makes your playing unique. Good luck!
Thank you! Terrific content!
Thanks, Doc.
I also dabble in practicing scales in thirds or sixths. I know this is an advanced technique, but why not start early.
I have a recurring nightmare that I practice it in fifths. Bach then appears and is frowning. I wake up in a cold sweat.
That is an excellent method of practicing scales! So sorry to hear about your dream- that definitely is a nightmare!
Thanks you for this useful video !
Glad it was helpful!
❤love this
It's a pity that the free PDF of piano technique could not be downloaded.
Hmmm, that's strange! Let me look into that! Can you send me an email? www.thepianoprof.com/contact
I like practicing to a backing track on RUclips. Just search "Bb major backing track" as an example. Then I just improvise up and down the scale, with various rhythm and expressions that fits the music.
Very cool!
Thank you so much for the video. You said to avoid "playing totally flat" and suggested to always play with some kind of crescendo/deminuendo. I don't quite understand why we shouldn't play the whole scale with the same volume, because I thought to practice with one dynamic throughout one scale helped me to train my fingers to produce even volume and avoid sudden loudness or softness. I might misunderstood what you mean...Could you clarify that for me, please?
While you certainly can play scales and exercises with no inflection, the idea is that the great thing about scales and arpeggios is that they are sort of a “blank canvas” for us to practice musical ideas on as well. As a general rule, when you play music you’re not going to want to play totally uninflected, so it’s good to practice scales with shaping so you’re also practicing musical shaping listening for the continuous line.
That said, I agree that you don’t want to have notes sticking out and you want to cultivate an even tone. Therefore, practicing a smooth crescendo and diminuendo can be helpful.
@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Thank you so much for the clarification, Dr Boyd! Also, your videos are all so helpful. So glad I found your channel.
The link for the practice companion does not open 😢
It may be a pop-up blocker? I'll look into this. Can you send me your email address at this link? thepianoprof.com/contact/
A question: do you have a suggestion to how to work on staccato in one hand and legato in the other? (With scales I find it mind- bending).
Thanks!
Here you go!
ruclips.net/user/shorts2imiEPlM8hA?feature=share
Good question.
@@ThePianoProfKateBoydThank you for the link 👍
✌ 🎹
Thanks for stopping by - I appreciate you!