VIP MasterClass Series
Weekly Videos For VIP Members, Tailored To Your Specific Questions!
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VIP MasterClass Video Sample
Week of March 26, 2017 - Allegro Barbaro by Bartók - How To Effectively Handle Octaves and Avoid Fatigue (requested by Nathaniel) |
Welcome to Dr. Josh Wright's exclusive VIP MasterClass Series! Josh currently has over 50,000 subscribers on YouTube, and receives thousands of emails monthly from students around the world, asking for personalized videos based on their specific questions. Due to his teaching and performance schedule, he simply cannot respond to every email and make a personalized video for each request. He has designed this series to get your questions answered.
(Subscribers can cancel anytime) |
Each member will receive a personalized video, posted to a members-only page of Josh's site for the entire VIP group to see. One video will be posted each week (average length will be 10-30 minutes). Videos will be given priority in the order which they are received. Members are free to submit as many video requests as they would like, or none at all. Once each member has had their first video request answered, the ordering will continue based on the date Josh receives them. Check out the complete video list below and gain access to all videos when you subscribe. (This series was launched February 12th, 2017. After subscribing, please allow Josh 24 hours to add you to the VIP group)
Video List
2018 Videos
Week of August 5, 2018 - Triple Feature
1. TRILLS: How to improve trills, increase speed and clarity in trills, and tips for artistic expression with trills to help aid in their overall quality, lightness, and evenness. Examples given from Handel's Suite in B-flat Major and Minuet in B-flat Major from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach (requested by Ivan and Mitchell)
2. PERFORMANCE ANXIETY: A new mental/strategy tip to help reduce nerves and play your best (requested by Raphael and Dana)
3. Three Questions about piano technique, style, and building repertoire:
a) Tips for improving fluidity in scales and alberti bass, including a discussion on the role of shifting vs. crossing, as well as a practice tip utilizing accents to increase speed in Alberti bass
b) Style and pedal in Schubert's A Major Sonata, D664
c) How to build a large repertoire, and specifics on how to pace your practicing to prepare for a 1-hour+ recital that is 6 months away
(requested by Rena)
Week of July 30, 2018
Back to Basics on gaining speed and clarity, including a technique never before presented in any of my videos. Examples given from Moszkowski Etude in F major, Op.72 No.6 (requested by Ramiro)
Week of July 23, 2018
Tips for playing without tension and with more freedom in the following types of passages: fast scalar passages, staccato passages, fast left-hand arpeggio passages, and octave passages. Examples given from Concert Etude, Op.13 by Gabriel Pierné (requested by Léa)
Week of July 16, 2018 - Double Feature
1. How to relax facial muscles when playing difficult passages, and how this drastically improves the quality of your playing (requested by Nigel)
2. Strategies to avoid tension and choose appropriate fingering for large stretches and other tricky passages in Chopin Etudes. Examples given from Etudes Op.10 No.8, Op.10 No.9, and Op.25 No.2 (requested by Stefan)
Week of July 9, 2018 - Double Feature
1. A guide to piano concerto repertoire. What are the most famous piano concerto composers? What are good concertos to start with from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th century composers? What concertos are the most difficult in the piano repertoire? (requested by Paulina)
2. A guide to Brahms - why is his music often so difficult to grasp? How can I play large leaps with ease? How can I execute fast, jumping octaves? Examples given from Brahms Sonata No.2, Op.2 (requested by Jeffrey)
Week of July 2, 2018 - Double Feature
1. How to effectively execute polyrhythms in one hand, a general discussion about polyrhythms, and how to effectively a voice inner lines. Examples given from Rachmaninoff Prelude in D major, Op.23 No.4 and Chopin Prelude in E major, Op.28 No.9 (requested by Taylor)
2. General tips and strategies for Chopin Prelude in E minor, Op.28 No.4, including how to create long shaped lines, how to create softer left-hand textures, and how to effectively use the una corda pedal (requested by David K.)
Week of June 25, 2018
More tips to increase tempo and improve shape and magical effect on the cadenza from Liebestraum No.3 by Franz Liszt, as well as how to effectively pedal and execute the large left-hand stretches. Also, strategies and techniques for conquering incredibly difficult and thick passages, featuring enharmonic and chromatic textures, as seen in Chopin Prelude Op.28 No.8 (requested by Michael)
Week of June 18, 2018 - Double Feature
Tips for Schubert Impromptu Op.90 No.3 and Chopin Étude Op.25 No.1, including how to relax the hand with large stretches, tips for voicing melody in expansive textures, how to simplify textures for more ease with shaping, and mental tips for clarity and precision (requested by Roger and Susan)
Week of June 11, 2018
How to create soft, shimmering textures in fast tempos, how to voice effectively in such textures, and how to shape melodies effectively. Examples given from Ravel's Sonatine and Ondine (requested by Gavin)
Week of June 4, 2018
Special Episode (75 minutes in length)
Writing a hymn arrangement from start to finish for my uncle's funeral. Strategies on how to write an arrangement of existing pieces, as well as how to weave those pieces together seamlessly (requested by several VIP members)
Week of May 28, 2018
General Tips and Strategies for Debussy's Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum, including finger dexterity, clarity, voicing of the melody, speed, rubato, and pedaling (requested by Sami)
Week of May 21, 2018
A guide to style with staccatos - should I play them really sharp, somewhat sharp, or almost legato? How do I know which style to apply to a certain passage of music? Examples given from Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mozart Sonata in F major, K332 (2nd movement), Beethoven Sonata Op.27 No.2 (2nd movement), and Beethoven Sonata Op.2 No.1 (3rd movement) (requested by Janelle)
Week of May 14, 2018
How to create extremely soft textures in complex left-hand passages, including passages with large broken chords and stretches. Examples given from Scriabin Etude Op.42 No.5 (requested by Hajime)
Week of May 7, 2018 - Double Feature
1. Tips for Chopin Prelude Op.28 No.22 in G minor, including voicing, rubato, creating long lines, dynamics, pedaling, and clarity (requested by Hervé)
2. My favorite strategies for mastering parallel octaves. Examples given from Schubert's "Trout" Quintet and Tchaikovsky Concert No.1, 3rd mvt (requested by Wolfgang)
Week of April 30, 2018 - Double Feature
1. Developing solid left-hand technique. Tips and strategies for staying loose and increasing speed while maintaining evenness. Examples given from Beethoven Rondo a capriccio Op.129 "Rage Over A Lost Penny" (requested by Renata)
2. Strategies for overcoming memory slips, how to memorize a passage solidly, and 4 different types of memory. Examples given from Beethoven Sonata Op.2 No.1 (requested by Pénélope)
Week of April 23, 2018 - Triple Feature
1. Strategies for improving technique on the piano and establishing a good practice regimen (requested by Jeremy)
2. How prominently should inner lines be voiced in comparison to the melody? Also, what are strategies for voicing accompaniment lines to make them more interesting without distracting the listener from the melody? Examples given from Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and Schubert Sonata in B-flat, D960 (requested by Tony)
3. How to remain flexible in the left hand, how to know when to cross and when to stretch, and how to stay loose in stretching passages if you have small hands. Examples given from Rachmaninoff Concerto No.2 (requested by Nigel)
Week of April 16, 2018
Tips for Chopin Nocturne in D-flat, Op.27 No.2, the best Beethoven editions to use, and how to play pop music by ear (requested by Shuang)
Week of April 9, 2018 - Double Feature
1. How to choose proper programming for a recital - what are the best strategies for creating "flow" for the audience? (requested by David K.)
2. Clair de lune "magic" - how to create colorful and magical textures in pieces (requested by Dirk)
Week of April 2, 2018
How to achieve clarity in fast passages, how to shape long lines amidst busy or fast textures, and how to achieve a full, rich, orchestral sound without sounding harsh. Examples given from Haydn Sonata in E-flat, Hob.XVI:52 (requested by Eunice)
Week of March 26, 2018
Ornaments and Shaping in Schubert's Music - Examples given from Klavierstücke No.2 in E-flat Major, D.946 (requested by Jeffrey)
Week of March 19, 2018 - Double Feature
1. How to improve more quickly. Tips for choosing a piece appropriate for your current level. Specific tips for Mozart Sonata in C major, K330, 3rd movement (requested by Yuqun)
2. Tips for Chopin Prelude Op.28 No.5. How to achieve balance and convincing dynamics amidst chromatic/thick/busy textures, and what "dynamic illusions" are. Tips for rotation and soft hands in complex and spread out textures (requested by Michael T.)
Week of March 12, 2018 - Double Feature
1. General questions about piano, including mastering jumps, further explanations about the Liszt Liebestraum No.3, finding patterns in music, and the importance and mastery of scales (requested by Ken)
2. Chopin Prelude in B-flat minor, Op.28 No.16 - form and analysis of the piece, harmonic analysis and expressive meaning with certain harmonies Chopin uses, tips for tricky/awkward passages, and general tips to improve speed (requested by Susan)
Week of March 5, 2018 - Double Feature
1. Liszt Liebestraume No.3 cadenza and other tricky passages - how to play with ease, beauty, and avoid tension (requested by Raphael)
2. Tremolo kryptonite - new ways to practice tremolos to create light, fleeting textures and avoid fatigue (requested by Taylor)
Week of February 26, 2018 - Double Feature
PRACTICE REGIMEN
1. How to decide what to work on, how many pieces to tackle at once for a given practice amount, how much theory should you know?, and other questions (requested by Roger)
2. What does an ideal technical routine look like? What can I cut out of my routine, and what should I keep? Should I dedicate time to technical exercises, or should I only use my pieces to work on technique? Lastly, what are tips for keeping a loose and accurate left hand in the Chopin Etude Op.10 No.9 in F minor?
(requested by Terry)
Week of February 19, 2018 - Double Feature
1. How to stay loose, avoid injury and cure tension in musical passages containing large chords. Examples given from Rachmaninoff Prelude in C-sharp minor Op.3 No.2, and Rachmaninoff Concerto No.3 (requested by Sami)
2. Two ways to fix problems after you've exhausted all practice techniques. Examples given from Liszt's Un Sospiro (requested by Joe)
Week of February 12, 2018 - Lightness, Voicing, and Other Special Tips For Mozart Sonata K332 (requested by Matthew)
Week of February 5, 2018 - Increasing Efficiency in Practice with the 543 Exercise. Examples given from Bach Fugue in A major, WTC II, BWV888 (requested by Hajime)
Week of January 29, 2018 - How To Achieve Perfect Alignment Between The Hands, And Also When Using Metronome. Examples given using scales, as well as examples from Chopin Trio Op.8, Rachmaninoff Concerto No.3, and Tchaikovsky Concerto No.1 (requested by Nigel and Janelle)
Week of January 22, 2018 - How To Voice, Shape, and Execute a Melody Alternating Between Hands. Examples given from Liszt's Transcendental Etude No.10, Rachmaninoff Concerto No.3, and Ravel Ondine (requested by Alexander)
Week of January 15, 2018 - Developing Clarity, Control and Touch in the Left Hand. Examples given from Mozart Sonatas - C major K545 and F major K332 (requested by Lucija)
Week of January 8, 2018 - Conquering Fast Repeated Notes, Awkward Arpeggios, and Fast Parallel 6ths. Examples given from Moszkowski's Caprice Espagnol, Op.37 (requested by Terry)
Week of January 1, 2018 - How to not lose expression amidst fast speeds. Examples given from Liszt Ballade No.2 (requested by Taylor)
Week of January 1, 2018 - Bonus Video: First public run-through of the Rachmaninoff Concerto No.3
2017 Videos
Week of February 12, 2017 - Advanced Pedal Techniques - Feathering Out The Pedal (first video of series!)
Week of February 19, 2017 - Tips for Beethoven Appassionata Sonata, Op.57, third movement coda (requested by Jeffrey)
Week of February 26, 2017 - New Trick For Playing Faster - The Collapsing Beat Exercise (requested by Mitchell)
Week of March 5, 2017 - "Pushing the Envelope" - How to effectively increase speed without breakdowns (requested by David)
Week of March 12, 2017 - Chord Clarity - How to avoid collapsing joints and gain absolute clarity (requested by Nigel)
Week of March 19, 2017 - Bach Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue - how to use effective dynamics and shape in Bach's music (requested by Tony)
Week of March 26, 2017 - Allegro Barbaro by Bartók - How To Effectively Handle Octaves and Avoid Fatigue (requested by Nathaniel)
Week of April 2, 2017 - Advice and tips for Mendelssohn's Variations Sérieuses, Op.54 (requested by Marco)
Week of April 9, 2017 - Strategies For Effective Dynamics and Beautiful Playing While Using Metronome. Examples given from Debussy's Clair de lune, Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No.2, and Liszt's Liebestraum No.3 (requested by Brian)
Week of April 16, 2017 - How To Make An Arrangement of an Existing Composition (includes free sheet music), including how to:
Alter Chord Progressions, How to Embellish and Expand Harmonies, and How To Write Introductions and Conclusions (requested by Daniel)
Week of April 23, 2017 - Tips For Bach Fugues, Including Form, Dynamics, Fingering, and Articulation. Demonstrations from Bach Fugue in B-flat major, WTC I (requested by Michael)
Week of April 30, 2017 - 8 Steps to Mastering Octave Jumps, and How To Master Glissandos (requested by Lorenzo)
Week of May 7, 2017 - Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Tips To Improve Accuracy, Speed, and Evenness With Arpeggios (requested by Nigel)
Week of May 14, 2017 - Understanding Schumann's Style. Demonstrations from Symphonic Etudes, Op.13, including how to divide/redistribute large chords, singing lines, rhythmic complexities and displacement, and how to execute fast chordal passages cleanly and accurately (requested by Jeffrey)
Week of May 21, 2017 - Chopin Prelude No.16 in B-flat minor - Tips for mental organization to help with evenness, memory, speed, and accuracy (requested by Joe)
Week of May 28, 2017 - Polyrhythms: the quickest way to master 3 against 4 rhythms, and how to conquer other difficult polyrhythms. Examples given from Liszt's Paganini Étude No.6 in A minor, as well as Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu (requested by David)
Week of June 4, 2017 - Hand Ergonomics (how to move with ease and without tension in awkward passages) and Tone Quality when playing forte chords. Examples given from Chopin Étude Op.10 No.12 "Revolutionary", and Étude Op.10 No.1 (requested by Pénélope)
Week of June 11, 2017 - A Complete Guide To Effective Dynamics - Basic Skills to Advanced Techniques (requested by David)
BONUS VIDEO: Week of June 11, 2017 - My New and Improved Pre-Concert Routine - How To Practice on the Day of Your Performance and other Strategies (including what to eat!) for Performing (requested by Joe)
Week of June 18, 2017 - Ornaments (trills, mordents, upper mordents, etc.): how to play them, and how execution of ornaments differs between Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th century. Examples given from J.S. Bach's Partita No.1, Mozart Sonatas (A major, K331, and Bb Major, K333), Beethoven Sonata in C minor Op.13 "Pathetique", and Chopin Nocturne in E minor, Op.72 No.1 (requested by Michael S.)
Week of June 25, 2017 - Tips for long polyrhythms in Chopin Prelude No.24 in D minor. (i.e. how to manage long cadenza passages in the RH over a constant and steady LH rhythm - requested by Michael T.)
Week of June 25, 2017 BONUS VIDEO- How to play the crazy diminished 7th passage (bars 46-53) in Chopin Etude Op.10 No.3 with ease (inspired by a lesson I did with my Belgian student, Jean)
Week of July 2, 2017 - How To Master Unfamiliar Or Atonal Music - Advice For Impressionistic and 20th Century Music. Examples given from Ravel's Jeux d'eau and Ondine, Debussy's Suite Bergamasque, Prokofiev's Prelude Op.12, and Samuel Barber's Sonata (requested by Taylor)
Week of July 9, 2017 - How To Loosen The Wrist and Play Without Tension (requested by Ari)
Week of July 16, 2017 - How to play arpeggio passages with ease (with emphasis on large-span arpeggios and advice for individuals with small hands). Areas of focus include five types of 7th chord arpeggios, as well as examples from Chopin Etude Op.25 No.12
Week of July 23, 2017 - Tips on how to master rolled chords, and span large reaches with ease. Examples include Chopin Étude Op.10 No.11 and Liszt Paganini Etude No.6 (requested by Wojciech and David H.)
Week of July 30, 2017 - How I personally practice passages I find most difficult. Examples given from Liszt Paganini Etude No.2 (requested by Terry)
Week of August 7, 2017 - A new technique for improving accuracy with jumps, with special emphasis on eyes closed practice. (requested by Tony, a blind pianist)
Week of August 14, 2017 - Conquering difficult trills, strategies on how to learn a new piece, and how to develop clean, fast tremolos. Examples given from Beethoven Sonatas Op.53 and Op.111. (requested by Jeffrey)
Week of August 21, 2017 - A guide for improving and mastering double thirds. Examples given from Chopin Etude Op.25 No.6. (requested by David H.)
Week of August 28, 2017 - The 345 Boot Camp - A Special Regimen to Help Strengthen Your Weaker Fingers. (requested by Wayne, inspired by Mitchell)
Week of September 4, 2017 - Beethoven Sonata Op.2 No.1, 1st movement - A Guide for Clarity, Precision, and Shaping (requested by Pénélope and Jean)
Week of September 11, 2017 - Things I Wish I Had Known Earlier In My Piano Studies - My Favorite Techniques, Tips, and Strategies For Getting Better Faster (requested by David K.)
Week of September 18, 2017 - Tips for Liszt's Un Sospiro, including how to properly execute thirds, rhythm, pulse, fingering, and how to approach practicing difficult passages (requested by Joe)
Week of September 25, 2017 - A simple trick on how to effectively memorize passages that repeat with slight variations. Also, how to play smooth double thirds scales. Examples given from Chopin Preludes #17 and #24 (requested by Michael T.)
Week of October 2, 2017 - Three tricks for staying loose in fast chordal passages. Examples given from the coda of Chopin Ballade No.2 (requested by Barb)
Week of October 9, 2017 - Memorizing hacks, including the Voodoo doll analogy (requested by Doug)
Week of October 16th, 2017 - Fast filigree passages - how to practice them and how to make them magical. Examples given from Chopin Nocturne in D-flat major, Op.27 No.2, Rachmaninoff Prelude in B minor, Op.32 No.10, and Rachmaninoff Prelude in G major, Op.32 No.5 (requested by Terry)
Week of October 23rd, 2017 - How to effectively play 2 against 3 polyrhythms in fast tempos. Examples given from Rachmaninoff Concerto No.2 in C minor, 1st movement, and Mozart Sonata in F major, K332, 1st movement (requested by Nigel)
Week of October 30th, 2017 - How to loosen and relax the hand when playing long strings of fast 2-note slurs. Examples given from Beethoven Sonata No.17 in D minor, Op.31 No.2 "Tempest" (requested by Sung)
Week of November 6th, 2017 - How to create a leggiero (light, graceful) touch when playing fast, rhythmic sections. Examples given from Chopin's Grande polonaise brillante, Op.22 (requested by André)
Week of November 13, 2017 - "Finding The Bird" - the amazing shortcut for analyzing 7th chords (requested by Mitchell)
Week of November 20, 2017 - Understanding Style in Mozart's Piano Music, and How To Establish a Proper Practice Regimen For Technique. Examples given from Mozart Sonata in E-flat major, K282 (requested by Wojciech)
Week of November 27, 2017 - A Complete Guide On How To Memorize and Find Patterns in Difficult Pieces. Examples given from Stravinksy's "The Rite of Spring", arranged for one piano four hands (requested by Tony, a blind pianist)
Week of December 4, 2017 - Accents - How to play them effectively, what are the "rules" with accents and meter, and how to create beautiful singing lines and avoid hammering melodies (requested by Janelle)
Week of December 11, 2017 - Three general questions about piano
Q1: How do you suggest students to assess if they are ready to play a certain piece?
Q2: What are the pieces that you think every student should consider learning, why, and at about what stage of their piano studies? For example, many pianists from Beethoven to Oscar Peterson had their students learn Bach's WTK. Since most of us do not have the time or inclination to learn all 24 preludes and fugues, what would you suggest with Bach and beyond?
Q3: I have never played a concerto, nor do I have an orchestra, but I would love to learn the Prokofiev concerto #2. Can you walk us through how we would learn something like this and ideas on how to include the orchestra part?
Week of December 18, 2017 - How to effectively maintain tempo without sacrificing expression. Demonstrations from Chopin Ballade No.1, Liszt Consolation No.3, and Rachmaninoff Concerto No.3, 3rd movement (dedicated to Pénélope and Brian)
Week of December 25th, 2017 - 6 Strategies for increasing speed, lightness, evenness, clarity, and looseness in any fast, continuous passage. Examples given from Beethoven Moonlight Sonata (Op.27 No.2), 3rd movement (dedicated to Michael T.)
Week of August 5, 2018 - Triple Feature
1. TRILLS: How to improve trills, increase speed and clarity in trills, and tips for artistic expression with trills to help aid in their overall quality, lightness, and evenness. Examples given from Handel's Suite in B-flat Major and Minuet in B-flat Major from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach (requested by Ivan and Mitchell)
2. PERFORMANCE ANXIETY: A new mental/strategy tip to help reduce nerves and play your best (requested by Raphael and Dana)
3. Three Questions about piano technique, style, and building repertoire:
a) Tips for improving fluidity in scales and alberti bass, including a discussion on the role of shifting vs. crossing, as well as a practice tip utilizing accents to increase speed in Alberti bass
b) Style and pedal in Schubert's A Major Sonata, D664
c) How to build a large repertoire, and specifics on how to pace your practicing to prepare for a 1-hour+ recital that is 6 months away
(requested by Rena)
Week of July 30, 2018
Back to Basics on gaining speed and clarity, including a technique never before presented in any of my videos. Examples given from Moszkowski Etude in F major, Op.72 No.6 (requested by Ramiro)
Week of July 23, 2018
Tips for playing without tension and with more freedom in the following types of passages: fast scalar passages, staccato passages, fast left-hand arpeggio passages, and octave passages. Examples given from Concert Etude, Op.13 by Gabriel Pierné (requested by Léa)
Week of July 16, 2018 - Double Feature
1. How to relax facial muscles when playing difficult passages, and how this drastically improves the quality of your playing (requested by Nigel)
2. Strategies to avoid tension and choose appropriate fingering for large stretches and other tricky passages in Chopin Etudes. Examples given from Etudes Op.10 No.8, Op.10 No.9, and Op.25 No.2 (requested by Stefan)
Week of July 9, 2018 - Double Feature
1. A guide to piano concerto repertoire. What are the most famous piano concerto composers? What are good concertos to start with from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th century composers? What concertos are the most difficult in the piano repertoire? (requested by Paulina)
2. A guide to Brahms - why is his music often so difficult to grasp? How can I play large leaps with ease? How can I execute fast, jumping octaves? Examples given from Brahms Sonata No.2, Op.2 (requested by Jeffrey)
Week of July 2, 2018 - Double Feature
1. How to effectively execute polyrhythms in one hand, a general discussion about polyrhythms, and how to effectively a voice inner lines. Examples given from Rachmaninoff Prelude in D major, Op.23 No.4 and Chopin Prelude in E major, Op.28 No.9 (requested by Taylor)
2. General tips and strategies for Chopin Prelude in E minor, Op.28 No.4, including how to create long shaped lines, how to create softer left-hand textures, and how to effectively use the una corda pedal (requested by David K.)
Week of June 25, 2018
More tips to increase tempo and improve shape and magical effect on the cadenza from Liebestraum No.3 by Franz Liszt, as well as how to effectively pedal and execute the large left-hand stretches. Also, strategies and techniques for conquering incredibly difficult and thick passages, featuring enharmonic and chromatic textures, as seen in Chopin Prelude Op.28 No.8 (requested by Michael)
Week of June 18, 2018 - Double Feature
Tips for Schubert Impromptu Op.90 No.3 and Chopin Étude Op.25 No.1, including how to relax the hand with large stretches, tips for voicing melody in expansive textures, how to simplify textures for more ease with shaping, and mental tips for clarity and precision (requested by Roger and Susan)
Week of June 11, 2018
How to create soft, shimmering textures in fast tempos, how to voice effectively in such textures, and how to shape melodies effectively. Examples given from Ravel's Sonatine and Ondine (requested by Gavin)
Week of June 4, 2018
Special Episode (75 minutes in length)
Writing a hymn arrangement from start to finish for my uncle's funeral. Strategies on how to write an arrangement of existing pieces, as well as how to weave those pieces together seamlessly (requested by several VIP members)
Week of May 28, 2018
General Tips and Strategies for Debussy's Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum, including finger dexterity, clarity, voicing of the melody, speed, rubato, and pedaling (requested by Sami)
Week of May 21, 2018
A guide to style with staccatos - should I play them really sharp, somewhat sharp, or almost legato? How do I know which style to apply to a certain passage of music? Examples given from Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mozart Sonata in F major, K332 (2nd movement), Beethoven Sonata Op.27 No.2 (2nd movement), and Beethoven Sonata Op.2 No.1 (3rd movement) (requested by Janelle)
Week of May 14, 2018
How to create extremely soft textures in complex left-hand passages, including passages with large broken chords and stretches. Examples given from Scriabin Etude Op.42 No.5 (requested by Hajime)
Week of May 7, 2018 - Double Feature
1. Tips for Chopin Prelude Op.28 No.22 in G minor, including voicing, rubato, creating long lines, dynamics, pedaling, and clarity (requested by Hervé)
2. My favorite strategies for mastering parallel octaves. Examples given from Schubert's "Trout" Quintet and Tchaikovsky Concert No.1, 3rd mvt (requested by Wolfgang)
Week of April 30, 2018 - Double Feature
1. Developing solid left-hand technique. Tips and strategies for staying loose and increasing speed while maintaining evenness. Examples given from Beethoven Rondo a capriccio Op.129 "Rage Over A Lost Penny" (requested by Renata)
2. Strategies for overcoming memory slips, how to memorize a passage solidly, and 4 different types of memory. Examples given from Beethoven Sonata Op.2 No.1 (requested by Pénélope)
Week of April 23, 2018 - Triple Feature
1. Strategies for improving technique on the piano and establishing a good practice regimen (requested by Jeremy)
2. How prominently should inner lines be voiced in comparison to the melody? Also, what are strategies for voicing accompaniment lines to make them more interesting without distracting the listener from the melody? Examples given from Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and Schubert Sonata in B-flat, D960 (requested by Tony)
3. How to remain flexible in the left hand, how to know when to cross and when to stretch, and how to stay loose in stretching passages if you have small hands. Examples given from Rachmaninoff Concerto No.2 (requested by Nigel)
Week of April 16, 2018
Tips for Chopin Nocturne in D-flat, Op.27 No.2, the best Beethoven editions to use, and how to play pop music by ear (requested by Shuang)
Week of April 9, 2018 - Double Feature
1. How to choose proper programming for a recital - what are the best strategies for creating "flow" for the audience? (requested by David K.)
2. Clair de lune "magic" - how to create colorful and magical textures in pieces (requested by Dirk)
Week of April 2, 2018
How to achieve clarity in fast passages, how to shape long lines amidst busy or fast textures, and how to achieve a full, rich, orchestral sound without sounding harsh. Examples given from Haydn Sonata in E-flat, Hob.XVI:52 (requested by Eunice)
Week of March 26, 2018
Ornaments and Shaping in Schubert's Music - Examples given from Klavierstücke No.2 in E-flat Major, D.946 (requested by Jeffrey)
Week of March 19, 2018 - Double Feature
1. How to improve more quickly. Tips for choosing a piece appropriate for your current level. Specific tips for Mozart Sonata in C major, K330, 3rd movement (requested by Yuqun)
2. Tips for Chopin Prelude Op.28 No.5. How to achieve balance and convincing dynamics amidst chromatic/thick/busy textures, and what "dynamic illusions" are. Tips for rotation and soft hands in complex and spread out textures (requested by Michael T.)
Week of March 12, 2018 - Double Feature
1. General questions about piano, including mastering jumps, further explanations about the Liszt Liebestraum No.3, finding patterns in music, and the importance and mastery of scales (requested by Ken)
2. Chopin Prelude in B-flat minor, Op.28 No.16 - form and analysis of the piece, harmonic analysis and expressive meaning with certain harmonies Chopin uses, tips for tricky/awkward passages, and general tips to improve speed (requested by Susan)
Week of March 5, 2018 - Double Feature
1. Liszt Liebestraume No.3 cadenza and other tricky passages - how to play with ease, beauty, and avoid tension (requested by Raphael)
2. Tremolo kryptonite - new ways to practice tremolos to create light, fleeting textures and avoid fatigue (requested by Taylor)
Week of February 26, 2018 - Double Feature
PRACTICE REGIMEN
1. How to decide what to work on, how many pieces to tackle at once for a given practice amount, how much theory should you know?, and other questions (requested by Roger)
2. What does an ideal technical routine look like? What can I cut out of my routine, and what should I keep? Should I dedicate time to technical exercises, or should I only use my pieces to work on technique? Lastly, what are tips for keeping a loose and accurate left hand in the Chopin Etude Op.10 No.9 in F minor?
(requested by Terry)
Week of February 19, 2018 - Double Feature
1. How to stay loose, avoid injury and cure tension in musical passages containing large chords. Examples given from Rachmaninoff Prelude in C-sharp minor Op.3 No.2, and Rachmaninoff Concerto No.3 (requested by Sami)
2. Two ways to fix problems after you've exhausted all practice techniques. Examples given from Liszt's Un Sospiro (requested by Joe)
Week of February 12, 2018 - Lightness, Voicing, and Other Special Tips For Mozart Sonata K332 (requested by Matthew)
Week of February 5, 2018 - Increasing Efficiency in Practice with the 543 Exercise. Examples given from Bach Fugue in A major, WTC II, BWV888 (requested by Hajime)
Week of January 29, 2018 - How To Achieve Perfect Alignment Between The Hands, And Also When Using Metronome. Examples given using scales, as well as examples from Chopin Trio Op.8, Rachmaninoff Concerto No.3, and Tchaikovsky Concerto No.1 (requested by Nigel and Janelle)
Week of January 22, 2018 - How To Voice, Shape, and Execute a Melody Alternating Between Hands. Examples given from Liszt's Transcendental Etude No.10, Rachmaninoff Concerto No.3, and Ravel Ondine (requested by Alexander)
Week of January 15, 2018 - Developing Clarity, Control and Touch in the Left Hand. Examples given from Mozart Sonatas - C major K545 and F major K332 (requested by Lucija)
Week of January 8, 2018 - Conquering Fast Repeated Notes, Awkward Arpeggios, and Fast Parallel 6ths. Examples given from Moszkowski's Caprice Espagnol, Op.37 (requested by Terry)
Week of January 1, 2018 - How to not lose expression amidst fast speeds. Examples given from Liszt Ballade No.2 (requested by Taylor)
Week of January 1, 2018 - Bonus Video: First public run-through of the Rachmaninoff Concerto No.3
2017 Videos
Week of February 12, 2017 - Advanced Pedal Techniques - Feathering Out The Pedal (first video of series!)
Week of February 19, 2017 - Tips for Beethoven Appassionata Sonata, Op.57, third movement coda (requested by Jeffrey)
Week of February 26, 2017 - New Trick For Playing Faster - The Collapsing Beat Exercise (requested by Mitchell)
Week of March 5, 2017 - "Pushing the Envelope" - How to effectively increase speed without breakdowns (requested by David)
Week of March 12, 2017 - Chord Clarity - How to avoid collapsing joints and gain absolute clarity (requested by Nigel)
Week of March 19, 2017 - Bach Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue - how to use effective dynamics and shape in Bach's music (requested by Tony)
Week of March 26, 2017 - Allegro Barbaro by Bartók - How To Effectively Handle Octaves and Avoid Fatigue (requested by Nathaniel)
Week of April 2, 2017 - Advice and tips for Mendelssohn's Variations Sérieuses, Op.54 (requested by Marco)
Week of April 9, 2017 - Strategies For Effective Dynamics and Beautiful Playing While Using Metronome. Examples given from Debussy's Clair de lune, Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No.2, and Liszt's Liebestraum No.3 (requested by Brian)
Week of April 16, 2017 - How To Make An Arrangement of an Existing Composition (includes free sheet music), including how to:
Alter Chord Progressions, How to Embellish and Expand Harmonies, and How To Write Introductions and Conclusions (requested by Daniel)
Week of April 23, 2017 - Tips For Bach Fugues, Including Form, Dynamics, Fingering, and Articulation. Demonstrations from Bach Fugue in B-flat major, WTC I (requested by Michael)
Week of April 30, 2017 - 8 Steps to Mastering Octave Jumps, and How To Master Glissandos (requested by Lorenzo)
Week of May 7, 2017 - Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Tips To Improve Accuracy, Speed, and Evenness With Arpeggios (requested by Nigel)
Week of May 14, 2017 - Understanding Schumann's Style. Demonstrations from Symphonic Etudes, Op.13, including how to divide/redistribute large chords, singing lines, rhythmic complexities and displacement, and how to execute fast chordal passages cleanly and accurately (requested by Jeffrey)
Week of May 21, 2017 - Chopin Prelude No.16 in B-flat minor - Tips for mental organization to help with evenness, memory, speed, and accuracy (requested by Joe)
Week of May 28, 2017 - Polyrhythms: the quickest way to master 3 against 4 rhythms, and how to conquer other difficult polyrhythms. Examples given from Liszt's Paganini Étude No.6 in A minor, as well as Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu (requested by David)
Week of June 4, 2017 - Hand Ergonomics (how to move with ease and without tension in awkward passages) and Tone Quality when playing forte chords. Examples given from Chopin Étude Op.10 No.12 "Revolutionary", and Étude Op.10 No.1 (requested by Pénélope)
Week of June 11, 2017 - A Complete Guide To Effective Dynamics - Basic Skills to Advanced Techniques (requested by David)
BONUS VIDEO: Week of June 11, 2017 - My New and Improved Pre-Concert Routine - How To Practice on the Day of Your Performance and other Strategies (including what to eat!) for Performing (requested by Joe)
Week of June 18, 2017 - Ornaments (trills, mordents, upper mordents, etc.): how to play them, and how execution of ornaments differs between Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th century. Examples given from J.S. Bach's Partita No.1, Mozart Sonatas (A major, K331, and Bb Major, K333), Beethoven Sonata in C minor Op.13 "Pathetique", and Chopin Nocturne in E minor, Op.72 No.1 (requested by Michael S.)
Week of June 25, 2017 - Tips for long polyrhythms in Chopin Prelude No.24 in D minor. (i.e. how to manage long cadenza passages in the RH over a constant and steady LH rhythm - requested by Michael T.)
Week of June 25, 2017 BONUS VIDEO- How to play the crazy diminished 7th passage (bars 46-53) in Chopin Etude Op.10 No.3 with ease (inspired by a lesson I did with my Belgian student, Jean)
Week of July 2, 2017 - How To Master Unfamiliar Or Atonal Music - Advice For Impressionistic and 20th Century Music. Examples given from Ravel's Jeux d'eau and Ondine, Debussy's Suite Bergamasque, Prokofiev's Prelude Op.12, and Samuel Barber's Sonata (requested by Taylor)
Week of July 9, 2017 - How To Loosen The Wrist and Play Without Tension (requested by Ari)
Week of July 16, 2017 - How to play arpeggio passages with ease (with emphasis on large-span arpeggios and advice for individuals with small hands). Areas of focus include five types of 7th chord arpeggios, as well as examples from Chopin Etude Op.25 No.12
Week of July 23, 2017 - Tips on how to master rolled chords, and span large reaches with ease. Examples include Chopin Étude Op.10 No.11 and Liszt Paganini Etude No.6 (requested by Wojciech and David H.)
Week of July 30, 2017 - How I personally practice passages I find most difficult. Examples given from Liszt Paganini Etude No.2 (requested by Terry)
Week of August 7, 2017 - A new technique for improving accuracy with jumps, with special emphasis on eyes closed practice. (requested by Tony, a blind pianist)
Week of August 14, 2017 - Conquering difficult trills, strategies on how to learn a new piece, and how to develop clean, fast tremolos. Examples given from Beethoven Sonatas Op.53 and Op.111. (requested by Jeffrey)
Week of August 21, 2017 - A guide for improving and mastering double thirds. Examples given from Chopin Etude Op.25 No.6. (requested by David H.)
Week of August 28, 2017 - The 345 Boot Camp - A Special Regimen to Help Strengthen Your Weaker Fingers. (requested by Wayne, inspired by Mitchell)
Week of September 4, 2017 - Beethoven Sonata Op.2 No.1, 1st movement - A Guide for Clarity, Precision, and Shaping (requested by Pénélope and Jean)
Week of September 11, 2017 - Things I Wish I Had Known Earlier In My Piano Studies - My Favorite Techniques, Tips, and Strategies For Getting Better Faster (requested by David K.)
Week of September 18, 2017 - Tips for Liszt's Un Sospiro, including how to properly execute thirds, rhythm, pulse, fingering, and how to approach practicing difficult passages (requested by Joe)
Week of September 25, 2017 - A simple trick on how to effectively memorize passages that repeat with slight variations. Also, how to play smooth double thirds scales. Examples given from Chopin Preludes #17 and #24 (requested by Michael T.)
Week of October 2, 2017 - Three tricks for staying loose in fast chordal passages. Examples given from the coda of Chopin Ballade No.2 (requested by Barb)
Week of October 9, 2017 - Memorizing hacks, including the Voodoo doll analogy (requested by Doug)
Week of October 16th, 2017 - Fast filigree passages - how to practice them and how to make them magical. Examples given from Chopin Nocturne in D-flat major, Op.27 No.2, Rachmaninoff Prelude in B minor, Op.32 No.10, and Rachmaninoff Prelude in G major, Op.32 No.5 (requested by Terry)
Week of October 23rd, 2017 - How to effectively play 2 against 3 polyrhythms in fast tempos. Examples given from Rachmaninoff Concerto No.2 in C minor, 1st movement, and Mozart Sonata in F major, K332, 1st movement (requested by Nigel)
Week of October 30th, 2017 - How to loosen and relax the hand when playing long strings of fast 2-note slurs. Examples given from Beethoven Sonata No.17 in D minor, Op.31 No.2 "Tempest" (requested by Sung)
Week of November 6th, 2017 - How to create a leggiero (light, graceful) touch when playing fast, rhythmic sections. Examples given from Chopin's Grande polonaise brillante, Op.22 (requested by André)
Week of November 13, 2017 - "Finding The Bird" - the amazing shortcut for analyzing 7th chords (requested by Mitchell)
Week of November 20, 2017 - Understanding Style in Mozart's Piano Music, and How To Establish a Proper Practice Regimen For Technique. Examples given from Mozart Sonata in E-flat major, K282 (requested by Wojciech)
Week of November 27, 2017 - A Complete Guide On How To Memorize and Find Patterns in Difficult Pieces. Examples given from Stravinksy's "The Rite of Spring", arranged for one piano four hands (requested by Tony, a blind pianist)
Week of December 4, 2017 - Accents - How to play them effectively, what are the "rules" with accents and meter, and how to create beautiful singing lines and avoid hammering melodies (requested by Janelle)
Week of December 11, 2017 - Three general questions about piano
Q1: How do you suggest students to assess if they are ready to play a certain piece?
Q2: What are the pieces that you think every student should consider learning, why, and at about what stage of their piano studies? For example, many pianists from Beethoven to Oscar Peterson had their students learn Bach's WTK. Since most of us do not have the time or inclination to learn all 24 preludes and fugues, what would you suggest with Bach and beyond?
Q3: I have never played a concerto, nor do I have an orchestra, but I would love to learn the Prokofiev concerto #2. Can you walk us through how we would learn something like this and ideas on how to include the orchestra part?
Week of December 18, 2017 - How to effectively maintain tempo without sacrificing expression. Demonstrations from Chopin Ballade No.1, Liszt Consolation No.3, and Rachmaninoff Concerto No.3, 3rd movement (dedicated to Pénélope and Brian)
Week of December 25th, 2017 - 6 Strategies for increasing speed, lightness, evenness, clarity, and looseness in any fast, continuous passage. Examples given from Beethoven Moonlight Sonata (Op.27 No.2), 3rd movement (dedicated to Michael T.)
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