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Developing a Balanced Technique
How to Use Hanon
Hanon’s Virtuouso Pianist is widely known to pianists and opinions on it are divided. However, their usefulness is largely dependent on how and why they are used. In these videos Ilga shares some of her favourite exercises and gives suggestions for using them in effective ways. Video notes Index of exercises: Finger technique - The exercise demonstrated for finger technique is No. 20. Ilga’s other favourite exercises for the finger technique are Nos. 16, 17, 18, 27. Varied movements and rotation - The exercises mentioned are Nos. 13,...Sign in to view if you have purchased access to this content or see purchase options below.
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Ilga Pitkevica
Ilga Pitkevica-Baldwin graduated from Jazepa Vitola Latvian Music Academy in Riga with honours and a Master’s degree in Solo Piano Performance, Piano Teaching, Accompaniment and Chamber Music. Ilga is a successful piano teacher with the private practice in Cambridge. Since 2014 Ilga has taught as a Principal Tutor of the internationally-acclaimed Piano Teachers’ Course UK. She also lectures in the UK and in Latvia on piano teaching, and on the history and teaching methods of the Russian Piano School.
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A thorough knowledge of scales and arpeggios is an absolute necessity for all serious students of the piano. Western music is built on the major/minor tonal system, and to attempt to study the instrument without scales (or basic theory) would be as nonsensical as learning language without the alphabet or... Read >>
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Graham Fitch Technique
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Based on motions that are natural to the body, this introductory module explores the basics of piano technique, through a series of videos demonstrating how to move in ways that are natural the body to achieve physical freedom for playing that feels and sounds good. It serves as a starting... Read >>
Graham Fitch Technique
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This series of videos provides a comprehensive treatise on the subject of pedalling, starting with a brief history of the sustaining pedal and a video on finger pedalling. This is then followed by an indepth look at various aspects of pedal technique and types of pedalling, including: direct, legato, fractional... Read >>
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In this series of video lectures, I explore aspects of technique one by one. My approach is based on using the body in the most natural ways possible, with emphasis on healthy technique and correct alignment. While I recognise that exercises, such as Hanon, are out of favour with some... Read >>
Graham Fitch Technique
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Piano playing is a deeply satisfying artistic activity, but it can also be very demanding physically on our arms and hands. Just as elite athletes understand and care for their bodies, so should pianists think carefully about their approach to playing and practising. A healthy piano technique not only avoids... Read >>
Penelope Roskell Technique
The Exercises of Peter Feuchtwanger
Peter Feuchtwanger was an important teacher who created a series of exercises designed to encourage healthy, natural and relaxed movements at the piano. In this module, Graham Fitch and Daniel Grimwood give their takes on Peter's exercises and share anecdotes from their experience in working with him.... Read >>
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Pianists at the intermediate level should know all major and minor scales (one form of minor), and all major and minor arpeggios in root position. There are several scale manuals available, but this manual is different in that it offers exercises and suggestions for practice, together with short, easy-to-use video... Read >>
Graham Fitch Technique
Elementary Technique - Fundamentals of Scales & Arpeggios
This module follows on from the introductory module to explore the fundamentals of scale and arpeggio playing, featuring close-up video demonstrations of the movements involved. It provides suggestions and exercises for mastering technical challenges such as thumb passage and gaining speed, with further tips on how to structure scale and... Read >>
Graham Fitch Technique
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A thorough knowledge of scales and arpeggios is an absolute necessity for all serious students of the piano. Western music is built on the major/minor tonal system, and to attempt to study the instrument without scales (or basic theory) would be as nonsensical as learning language without the alphabet or... Read >>
Graham Fitch Technique
Approaching Ornaments
<h3> <a href="/content/pages/187-approaching-ornaments?bundle_url=online-academy&last_viewed=true">Grace Notes, Mordents & Turns</a></h3>In this excerpt from her online course, Teaching Healthy Expressive Piano Technique, Penelope Roskell shows how to approach practising and playing grace notes, mordents and turns.... Read >>
Penelope Roskell Technique
Finding Effortless Speed
<h3> <a href="/content/pages/207-finding-effortless-speed?bundle_url=online-academy&last_viewed=true">…by deconstructing the scale!</a></h3>William Westney demonstrates his unique approach to scales for pianists of all levels which uses a simple exercise that can be applied to any fast passage in the repertoire.... Read >>
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