Piano Tips is a channel focused on piano playing. The goal is to spread knowledge to the world on everything related to piano playing: from technique to musicality, from rhythm to memory, and much more. Enjoy the tips!
Arpeggios practice with a scale with sharps/flats is a lot more difficult than C major. Would you approach practicing it the same way? I have to stretch my thumb so much more in Bb major arp. I notice my arm moves more in Bb than it does in C arp. Is that ok? I guess my question is should I try to avoid placement of my thumb on sharps and flats when possible?
Thanks for the great advice! I’m nearly 16 and in about 10 months I intend to participate in my first competition. In a little less than a month, I intend on participating in my first adjudication (I’m gonna play Chopin’s first Etude). The competition is for piano concertos and I’m about to get started and choose a piece (it only needs one movement from one piece). I’m thinking I’m gonna choose the first movement of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto, but I’m not sure. I may want to settle for something I would be less likely to screw up (probably Mozart K. 488). I’ve never played a concerto or competition before, so I don’t have the experience or the knowledge of what kind of concerto is best for me. Any advice would be appreciated Thanks
Hi ShuaTock! It is great to test your skills with competitions and performances at your age. If you want send me an email so I can look better at your situation and help you out set up the competition program! Write me at pianotipsmax@gmail.com
Hello. My left hand always tenses up whenever I do thumb crossovers whilst playing scales, usually in ascending order. Do you have any tips on how to avoid it? Thanks! Great lesson, btw
Hi! It could be because of tension from the arm or from the ligament of the thumb, even though it’s hard to tell without seeing it. Still important to smooth your playing to avoid possible tendonitis.
@@pianotips325 I can play scales with ease using my right hand because it usually feels more relaxed and natural compared to my left hand. Maybe it's because I'm right-handed. My left hand always feels tensed and unnatural. I'm not sure if I'm not rotating my forearm enough when I do thumb passages, or I might be overdoing the forearm rotation. Anyway, thanks for replying! I'll take your advice, and I'm looking forward to your next lesson!
@@julioaltavas2257 not a fan of giving advice on other people's channels but your LH arm is probably tense because your LH fingers aren't as strong as your RH therefore the arm is trying to take up the slack or work that should be done within the hand and fingers. I'm assuming you're right handed. A weak LH is the bane of our existence. Try crossing your hands when you play pieces so that the LH is playing melody but keeping good alignment of course.
@@dkant4511 Yes, I'm right-handed. The problem sometimes happens even if I'm not pressing the keys. My left hand sometimes would not relax naturally when I rest it on the keys and my thumb begins to twitch and stretch involuntarily. It usually happens when I feel tired, and goes back to normal when I get enough rest. I tried applying forearm rotation to my scale playing and tension seemed to lessen. I'll stick to that technique until I've mastered it. Also, thanks for the tips! Might try to apply your technique as well.
Thank you very much indeed to you for this! I am an adult beginner (self-taught) and was flummoxed by how pianists managed to make their thumb sound just like another finger. I have been moving my arm far too much! I am very grateful. May God bless you
Your channel and videos come at the right time! I'm just getting back to piano playing, and this is a good way to remember things I studied years ago... and learn new ones! Thank you! :)
