Beethoven "Moonlight Sonata" Master Class: Seymour Bernstein teaches piano technique 

Yoda and Luke right here

“Turn to neutral at every moment you can, or you will get injured.” This is sage advice and applies not just to piano, but all of life.

These instructions from Seymour to Ben are some of the greatest moments in video history, imo. The knowledge, the passion, the articulate poetry of his directions are almost transcendent, demonstrating the delicate complexity of a few notes of music at the hands of an artist/performer. And the love, humor, and respect between these two humans is an added bonus. That this American Musical Treasure is preserved on film for future generations is a great gift. Thanks to all who make these possible.

If I only had a teacher like Seymour when I was younger - I think I would have never given up on the piano - I wouldn't have cared if he interrupted me 10,000 times - because once you see the wisdom and purpose behind it all, how can you not fall in love with the teaching ?

A 54 year old beginner and I find this mentorship priceless.

Seymour Bernstein is such a gift to humanity - I wish more people were like him

Mr Bernstein ability to dissect music is amazing.

Hello Seymour, you mentioned escapement making it possible to play very quietly using only half the key's height. I'm a piano tuner-technician with 50 years experience. I initially worked for Steinway, NYC before going it alone in Australia. I've had a great career (I'm part time now with no view to ever retire) and have met (and played duets with) some world-class pianists. I vividly remember explaining the double repetition system to a famous Australian concert pianist. His takeaway was very positive indeed. He said that by having a now full working knowledge of the action and all its modern enhancements, his playing can only improve. Having watched many of your videos, I know that you have an excellent knowledge of the workings of grand piano action. Having said that, and to elaborate on your comment about the escapement. Yes, escapement plays the 1st little trick - it's what follows very shortly after that became a game changer - the speed of a repeated note can be extremely fast. But, what's often missed is the fact that a pianist can play a note at minimal volume using the same lever that was designed for fast repetition of a single note. That game changer is called the repetition lever. Grand actions utilise what's called "double repetition. This spring-loaded lever takes over the job of lifting the hammer, rather than the jack that just escaped. The jack is what initially lifts the hammer; after it does so, its job is done until the key involved is raised past that ~halfway point. Now - pushing the key down very slowly, you can feel the escapement of the jack from under the knuckle (AKA Roller). Keep pushing the key to its limit, then slowly lift until you reach about half height - do not let the key go fully up - then play that note, repeatedly using only the spring-loaded repetition lever with the key never being allowed to be raised past its halfway point. Note that every grand piano's key height - whilst ready to be played by the repetition lever - will vary slightly. To my knowledge, there still doesn't exist an upright piano action capable of double repetition Thank you for your always intriguing video content!

I'm a professional musician and music teacher. When I first saw this channel I thought it was another SimplyPiano-type thing, but the videos y'all have been putting out with Bernstein and Hamelin are really quite special. A document of the teaching style or even just the musical thought processes of someone who has done music professionally for over seven decades is something musicologists would kill for!

Seymour somehow consistently condenses a lifetime of knowledge into 40 mins of pure gold. What a legend… Ben brings it out of him. I takes two to tango. Their tacit affection for each other is palpable and moving…

Such a treasure to spend a few minutes with Seymour today. We need more content just like this! :)

Coming from a classical music background, it is so normal to see people respecting and enjoying the knowledge and expertise of others. So many people who haven't have the joy of experiencing this kind of relationship are too quick to scream 'arrogant!'

I so appreciate Seymour's interpretive insights

I get total zen watching this. Even the lesson is a beautiful performance unto itself.

Ben Laude, you do an amazing job being a student. Often times someone being instructed can make things very awkward or not know how to react to criticism, especially with someone as straight shooting and, let's be frank, controversial, as Mr Berstein, but you handle it all wonderfully and put into action his suggestions beautifully.

Seymour seems to have that perfect modus for being a mentor. He keeps you on your toes enough without being so overbearing it erases/hampers progress. This was great! Just don't get him started on Gould haaha!

YESS! more Seymour content... I just finished rewatching the older videos of him from you guys!

When in doubt, listen to Seymour. This man is such a treasure. I hang on every word he says. I like most Tonebase videos, but Seymour features are some the very best content online. Seymour, tell us everything you think a pianist should know.

These two are always such a joy to watch working together. Thank you for this. I played the first few bars, learned before I could read music, on my introductory first piano lesson when I was 5. Almost 35 now, played the movement a million times, recorded it for a friend, never been happy with it. This was so deeply informative and wonderfully satisfying. More than anything else it's convinced me of the importance of a good teacher (a lesson which I keep learning - a good teacher is worth their weight in gold - and Seymour is 24 karat gold).

You are so privileged to have Maestro Bernstein's tutelage!

Wow what a genius....can I adopt Seymour as my teacher AND as my gradfather? He is just incredible.

This is next level. As a singer and voice teacher, I dip into these videos of Seymour for musical and artistic sustenance. MY what a gift to humanity and art he is.

The granularity of his analysis is amazing. May however take a hundred years or so to master the sonata.

These sessions with Seymour and Ben are truly priceless.

Seymour's way to teach is meditative, so calm and quiet that you can only be relaxed while playing. I love his teachings! Thank you for sharing these precious moments ❤

Its just so amazing how many mistake you can possibly make at the first measure and even a professional pianist. It’s very nice to see and learn about my most favorite sonata ever ❤

the amount of information and pedagogy that he effortlessly pulls from a few measures is stunning, what a treasure, THANK YOU for sharing with us

Zen and the Art of the first 3 notes of Moonlight Sonata. Wonderful master class - thank you!

This video alone is enough to convince me to sign up to tonebase premium! What a wonderful episode and reminds me of my youth!

I've never learned so much in one video. Absolutely incredible.

What a brilliant video… as a self taught pianist, this was a extremely valuable video on technique.

I am not even close to a musician, but I was enthralled by this. Hearing someone teach something that they know and love so well in this manner is captivating.

This video came just in time, I am performing this song next week. Seymour's masterful teaching already has me sounding better and playing more comfortably. Thank you so much for making these available.

I love him

Ben, I really liked when you switched the "mystical Moonlight". It would be great to hear this continued forward into the 1st mvt. I wonder if you could take all these profound instructions, prepare some and then give us a video of putting it all together in a performance of the 1st mvt. It would be a study of listening & watching for us to pick up on all that Seymour taught you (us). Thanks to both you & Seymour.

I can’t stop laughing with pure joy witnessing this beautiful interchange between two souls and the piano being the bridge. Love you both. Thank you for sharing your light. ❤

I cant express in words the gratitute and appreciation I feel for these kind of teachers. He reminds me of my teacher in contemporary dance and she talked, laughed and cared her words with wisdom just like Seymour. Thanks alot tonebase piano for making this available to us and thank you Seymour for sharing all this wisdom 🙏

This made my day ❤ I love the humor and respect shared between Seymour and Ben.

Seymour spoke the truth when he said the strongest part of the body is from the pelvic girdle, and the second strongest is the shoulder girdle. I worked as a Chiropractor but had to rehabilitate and learn a whole new method of working due to a shoulder injury. In fact I live with a FURS Syndrome. But I learned how to treat the shoulder, and found that in Europe it's one of the most mis-diagnosed and mat-treated articulations in the body. I have a video about my exercises for stabilizing and strengthening the low back as well as treatments for the upper body and arms. Oh My Aching Bach.

To be able to watch Mr. Bernstein teach is priceless. Simply WOW

I wish i could find such a good teacher

I hope to be like maestro Bernstein one day, what incredible wisdom.

Dropping wisdom. I'm grateful Sir.

Seymour it's amazing

Thank you so so much it was so informative so important knowledge dear Seymour taught us so helpful thank you🙏🙏🙏💖🌺Please more Seymour videos thank you!!!!

He brings mechanisms and emotions, not boring...superb sound

If he can see more than any other pianist, it’s cause he’s Seymour

Monsieur Bernstein est un fabuleux professeur, sa pédagogie, son humour et son talent de pianiste rend cet homme merveilleux. ❤❤❤

Seymour Bernstein rules! I love his personality and sense of humor in addition to his amazing skill and wisdom.

Seymour is such a gem. Wow

Now that’s a piano lesson! I feel like a better player after just watching it - and i haven’t even tried them on the piano yet.

the perception of teacher is amazing

seymour bernstein the GOAT 💪💪

I am a self-trained guitarist. The left hand never leaves the fret board. I am not a pianist but Seymour is very helpful. Playing Chopin on guitar is the most frustrating thing in my life. Seymour gives me a new perspective.

I will try to remember all I can. I had no idea that it could be that difficult. Exercising with the bridge on my piano. Thank you.

I could Watch those guys all day every day ❤

This is amazing!!

What a legend. Unmatched insight.

Seymour: "Step aside. I need to show you something." 😎

Every comment by maestro Bernstein is right on. all of it on just 3 notes.

A wonderful teacher and student

Another stellar lesson from Seymour!

Thank you kindly🤍You are always a joy

Nice to see Seymour is doing good! ❤

I feel like I'm not ready for this knowledge. Generally, I'm happy just to hit the correct note.

So amazing video. Thank you very very much for sharing it!

Priceless Thank you so much for this lesson 🎉

Thank you for this video! Such a magnificent class!!❤

Thank you very much, I really appreciate all the details, from the movement of the fingers, all the technical and interpretation details.

The greatest piece of music to Er fall in human ears

Loved this so much! Thank you! 💕

This is so helpful. Thank you!

Thank you dear Seymour, thank you Tonebase, for this wonderful insight and journey into music and piano playing

Can't believe this is free. Thank you all!!

Wow. What an honor it must have been to have had a master class from Mr Bernstein. Amazing.

The thing that impresses me the most about Bernstein is his wisdom gained from experience, scholarship, and musical prowess.

You are amazing. Camera angles are great. Passion, belief and knowledge are finely tuned. I never had tears of joy before, thank you for existing and for doing this! May the life be with you!

Thanks for this video!

He is such a wise man.

It is said that one evening, while Beethoven was performing the first movement of the Moonlight Sonata for a small gathering of friends and patrons, a distinguished lady present in the audience became so moved by the music that she exclaimed, "I'll give ten ducats if only I could learn that one!" Amused by her enthusiastic offer, Beethoven supposedly replied, "I shall be glad to earn ten ducats. I will make the sonata over for you!" Of course, Beethoven was known for his wry sense of humour, and he often interacted with his audience in playful ways. What a boss!!! This is my first ever piano piece ever by the way!

This is why I subscribe to tonebase. I love this kind of deep dive into technique. Now, what about tempo? I wonder if Seymour is aware of Ben Zander's thoughts about this piece, and other Beethoven tempos.

Podría estar todo el día repitiendo este video....

This is gold.

He is just so lovely.

A pure moment of meditation

Danke herzlichst! Ganz wunderbar.

I've been subscribing to the channel for a while, and I was hesitant to sign up for tonebase. This video sold me on it. I've been using tonebase Piano for about a week, and I love it so much. What they're doing is amazing.

I’ve been understanding music more and more because of you, best teachers ever, I would love to play for you and work with you, With All Respect For your Souls and Beethoven’s 🤍♻️

Thank you. Very informative. I got a lot to learn from you

when Seymour is happy, I am happy

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I've just started relearning in my 40's after decades of not playing and I'm sad that I wasted so much time. Hopefully it's not too late, and I can reach almost-good levels one day.

That was so good! He is such a cool guy!

He is the best teacher because he always want to “seymour” to the students

So interesting about the upper arm engagement in dynamics, really amazing. I love ballet and the arm movement actually comes from the back muscles, ive played lazily on piano forever, not knowing.

Precious 🤍💎

I love Seymour

Extraordinary.

soooo good. Thank you

I love this video ❤❤🎉