The Augmented Alberti Exercise

By Jason, on January 25th, 2010%

Here’s an exercise I use to help speed up Alberti bass figures:

First, sit so that the C above middle C is directly in front of you.

Second, turn your body to the right so that you’re facing the top C on the keyboard.

Third, practice this, using 5131 5131 for your fingering:

Doing this simple exercise can help students . . . → Read More: The Augmented Alberti Exercise

One comment   Practicing, Technique, pedagogy   , , , , ,  

Piano Playing – in 3D!

By Jason, on December 29th, 2009%

Two things inspired this post:

The first is Concert Hands, a completely ridiculous piece of technology that you strap on to your wrists and hands to help you learn to play.  (Seriously, watch the video, it’s hilarious!)

The second is a description of a teaching technique in Julie Knerr’s excellent article on elementary technique in the first issue . . . → Read More: Piano Playing – in 3D!

4 comments   Practicing, Technique, pedagogy   , , , ,  

Monkeys in the Tree

By Jason, on July 18th, 2009%

This week, I thought I’d share one of my favorite pieces, “Monkeys in the Tree” by Boris Berlin.  It’s found in Celebration Series Repertoire Book 4, and it’s always a big hit for audiences and performers alike.

Repertoire selection is one of the keys to good teaching, but it’s very difficult to say exactly what makes  one . . . → Read More: Monkeys in the Tree

2 comments   Repertoire, Technique