The Russian Method, As I Learned It, by Dr. James McKeever 

My Russian violin coach had me sit down at the piano one day and demonstrate my approach to the piano. Needless to say, her response was memorable. To this day, now years later, I struggle to unlearn tension. Graceful, fluid movements on the piano, as well as the violin, make the music so much sweeter.

That's my uncle Jim!!!! Thank you infinitely for the constant music throughout the family and the natural knack for playing music passed down to me in my genes from your sister ❤

Merci beaucoup for this. I'm a retired Chiropractor that took up the piano 2 months ago. I had to alter my techniques because of a major orthopedic problem in my shoulder. Because of that I specialized in shoulder problems, and by extension for upper extremity. I will be filming a video for my exercises that I give to stabilize and strengthen the low back and abdominals, which take 30 seconds to a minute per day. And then I have some exercises and self-treatment for the shoulders, forearms, wrists and hands. Thanks for this video, I will apply it in my journey to learning the piano.

I love how he expresses the need for relaxation so much and not to hold tension

4:03 is when he actually starts talking about the method. You're welcome.

When I adjudicate youth piano competitions, I observe that some performers fall in love with the graceful movement at the expense of expressive and structurally sound playing. This is especially notable with those who study with Russian pedagogues.

There are no muscles in your fingers aside from those that give you goosebumps. The muscles that control your fingers are in your palm and forearm.

Love at the end when Dr. McKeever sits there for a moment and then gets up to turn off the camera. Priceless! LOL! Thank you so much for this. I will now allow my students to lift fingers high and stake the keys. I have not taught that "Lifting High" stuff because as Dr. McKeever noted, no pianist plays like that. The idea is to "depress" the key. However, I now understand that all that "lifting" I did through Hannon and Czerny studies strengthened my fingers so that they an handle the force as it radiates from the shoulder into the keys. What I had noticed about my teaching is that my students seemed not to be able to keep the fingers curved so as to send all the force to the finger tip (don't know if I explained that well). Many seem to allow the "last knuckle" to cave in thus allowing some of the force to wasted on the knuckle instead of being applied to the key. Anyway, enough of me and my problems in teaching, this video was great and I look forward to watching and learning more. Geo Cooper (Fisk BM '82) Founder/Director Ella Sheppard School Of Music

Really nice and clear explained, Loved watching it!

Thank you , i just learned more in 10 minutes than in 50 videos I’ve watched. Wow.

great tips, thank you for your time.

Thank you a lot Dr for explaining the basics so clearly, this is very important for any pianist student indeed. 🙏

Great video with so much useful information. Waiting for my book to arrive :) thank you.

Thanks for posting. It's refreshing to see that there are pianists that still get it

Wonderful video! Thank you for sharing!

This video was extremely informative for me, Thank you so much!

this is PURE gold, Thank you so much!

Great lesson! Thank you!

Great video, Thanks!

Very interesting content, thanks for the upload!

Thank you, Mr McKeever. You've been very helpful.

Important basic points covered.Thank you.

Fantastic video,can't wait to see the others!!!Big hug!

I studied classical piano at the conservatory many years ago, but always kept having problems with playing fast and especially trills and ornaments; I felt that tension in my muscles was the cause of these problems. I stopped playing completely the day I graduated because of this and didn't play for the next 30+ years. Recently I came across an article online, describing the Russian method of piano playing and the importance of weight transfer between the keys. I gave this a try and was amazed what this did with my playing. Within a couple of days, I was able to play fast and secure while keeping the weight transfer in tact. Using this technique, I am now studying my own compositions which I never was able to get up to speed, but now have no problem with it. This gave me so much confidence in this method that I bought the book mentioned in this video, and from what I can see, it's the 3rd edition (released in 2017). I am looking forward to studying the book in combinations with these videos; thanks so much for bringing this together!

Exactly. The moment of execution is the moment of "tension". It makes me think of how Kyriena Siloti taught to drop in the single finger exercises...so applicable to the rest of equipment also. (International competition winner from Ohio)

I have some serious classical music training in piano. I can tell that this gentleman is a master from whom anyone can learn with confidence; this is, knowing that one is learning the best of the best.

This video brought back a lot of memories of lessons with my first piano teacher, who also studied at CCM with Olga Conus. My teacher had many stories that Madame Conus told of her time with the celebrated Russian pianists mentioned by Dr. Keever. As a child, I also played the exercises from Fundamentals of Piano Technique. There is a lot to be said for the concept of minimizing tension and economy of force, as Dr. Keever explains. However, I am not a believer in finger exercises that "build" strength or muscle. As another commenter pointed out, there are no muscles in the fingers. Our bodies already have all the brute strength we need to play. It's a matter of coordination and effectively using what we have. An excellent resource for understanding this is Gyorgy Sandor's book On Piano Playing: Motion, Sound, and Expression.

Very useful and enlightening information delivered in just 15 min. Looking forward to learn more about the DVD and technique book.

Very interesting and clear tips that will help explain these methods in teaching. Thank you for sharing!

Great! Thank you!

One very positive thing happened recently in our life: Hal Leonard has decided to publish the Conus “Fundamentals of Technique” for us and are paying us a substantial amount of money we paid our editor for digitizing 88 pages of tiny musical notes, and then we will get a royalty on each book sold…We would have had to self-publish it ourselves, if HL had not come through…I think they value the book or they would not be involved…As many of you know, Hal Leonard is the largest publishing company for printed music in the world...Eventually, they want a video to be bundled with it…It’s handy that they are in Milwaukee, so that we can work with them…Jim and I are very excited about this…It has been a big and long project. Susan

this is just wonderful. dr McKeever, you have given in a few minutes a treasure of information that will spare me years of wasted practice, and it's important for me because my time is not abundant.I wish I had... etc... Also the information about the Conuses is very unique and valuable. thank you!

thanks a lot. its good to see what I know and did not know !!!

I learned in this way too. Nice video guide. Russian piano technique is awesome.

thank you very much!!

Thanks a lot Sir .

I enjoyed this lesson! I have not thought of what is happening physically when I play in a long time! I sat at the piano checking out what I do along with the video. Thanks!

Thank you Dr James McKeever for sharing with me the Russian Method; I will practice this and exercise with this. Keep doing what you are doing; because if I'm learning very well with you; many students you teach will learn as well; and hopefully, they and I will surpass you. But even so we will never stop learning from you. Thank you again.

Wonderful!👏👏👏👏👏👏

Excellent.

Good exposition of the basic movements used in the Russian style of playing. Although in the earlier Russian method ( late 19th Century) there was a concept of a strong arch in the hand, famously demonstrated by Vladimir Horowitz. Unfortunately, no one teaches this position any more. Not even in the Russian Federation.

Contrary to some others in the comment section, I enjoyed the introduction with the short anecdotes. There are others videos which are more to the point but on the other hand they lack depth. Both are needed and wanted by me amongst others. Thanks for the video.

Awesome !!!!

to everyone: the future videos mentioned have NOT been made yet; sorry for the confusion. The new book will be out by this summer; Hal Leonard will be distributing it...I'll update everyone here about the exact date when we can get it on Amazon.

Those principles are in the German school too, since they dated from Beethoven’s (much before Goldenweiser...).

congrats!!! keep working!!! musical bless from San Felipe, Chile!!!

I watched your first video Dr. McKeever and wanted to thank you for your fundamental analysis and explanation of the Russian technique. My early piano instruction did not include a lot of this type of detailed pianism.

Dear James, thank you for your video and work very much. I think these are the most important principles, without it education is absolutely useless! I am studying at Moscow conservatory now with a great teacher, but I had to change a lot of places and teachers before to find out all these basicall things, waste a lot of time and had to change all habits completely.

Thank you

This book is doing great things for me! If I were to teach piano, I know, what method I would use! Thank you! I have now "installed" Mme Conus by my side during practise. Natural relaxation, strength and free, supple wrist comes if you read and execute attentively❤

Dear Mr. and Mrs. McKeever, I have played piano for 15 years and have struggled with arm weight/tension problems, which have resulted in pain within the wrists and forearms as I have played pieces which have fast tempos and complex multi-note cords that are being played simultaneously. Thank you for posting this, I have started to develop dynamics and speed that I didn't think were possible. I still struggle often with complex cords, and eagerly await for the next videos on this Russian Technique. In the meantime, I am looking for the book, and experimenting on my own with the concepts discussed here. Thank you so much, please continue to upload.

Finally a book that can thoroughly explain rotation and relaxation method to playing piano! I used to have a Keyboard Magazine that explained the techniques you briefly touched on. It was an article by a famous Russian woman concert pianist. I wouldn't be surprised if she is the same person you have mentioned. Regardless, I look forward to more video posts and I'm going to purchase both books!

Actually he really starts talking about technique at about 5:10

THANK YOU so much sir, for this lesson. This is what I've always wanted to learn. How to play relaxed and with the correct motions. Really makes a lot of sense. I live in Sweden but I hope I can get a copy of your book. ❤

Rotation also occurs in the coda section in the 3rd mov’t finale of Beethoven’s Piano concerto No. 3 in c minor and also the Choral fantasy Opus 80.

This is wonderful, thank you. I struggle with arm weight and tension. Every once in a while, everything clicks together (when I do "drops" via gravity) and everything feels incredible, like I can do what I want. I'm hoping that this method helps. Regardless, it's a great video.

Studying with Dr. McKeever and the Conus' Russian method completely changed the sound drawn out of my piano. The audiences notice...and appreciate. So great to see this!

WE ALL NEED SOLID FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS. OFF TO A GOOD START. KEEP US ON THE STRAIGHT PATH,TO PROPER PLAYING. LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR NEW BOOK,WITH EXPANDED MATERIAL. CAESAR

I love the uncut ending lol

This is just a trial run, John C Carpenter, Pianist - thank you for your feedback - I'm already thinking up some ideas to make this more engaging...My husband also wants to hire a professional videographer to do some special effects.

2 thumbs up. Thank you :)

Here is a link to the book "Fundamentals of Piano Technique" - we are hard at work revising the latest edition and hope to have it in print by summer of 2016: www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Piano-Technique-Olga-Conus/dp/0874876605

I’m so thankful for this video. I’m in my 30+ and want to learn playing piano by myself. I got the FPT book, but not sure if I understand the techniques right. This video confirmed my understanding and I don’t have to keep wondering if I did it right or or. Thank you so much for make this video ❤️❤️❤️❤️. And by the way, I’m UC Alumni too🥰

We have a lot of piano studies. Every country has a method to teach piano. It’s based on the physical condition of individual students. Russian method. It’s only drop in the bucket. I am representative of Russian school of music. But it’s not for everyone. Is much more involved. I like the video. But to learn from with anything very difficult almost impossible. Thank you for it.

Great video! Earned a sub

I like it a lot. However it has been a time that you didn't distribute new videos. Keep up the good work!

Dear Dr. James Mckeever: Your piano lesson has already made a big difference in my playing. I instantly noticed the a huge imporvemnt when I used your suggestions. My playing felt much more relaxed and it sounded much better too. At least 50% improvement or more, almost instantly! i have already ordered your Russian Technique book. Thank you! I have a few questions for you, if you dont mind. How do you use the technique that you taught when you are playing stride piano style? Stride Piano is when the left hand is constantly completely lifting off the keys and the arm has to move a substantial distance up and down the keyboard from base notes (often eights) to chords. - Usually twice per measure and your fingers must land on an exact (and often) complex group of chord notes every time? in addition, stride music usually has to be played at a fast tempo. The problems that I experience are that my forearm has to constantly swing back and forth in the air off the keys so I lose touch with where I am on the keyboard unless I watch my hand. It is very difficult to lose ones place when going from sheet music to keyboard. The constant repetitive moment is also tiring and my fingers never seem to get to rest on the keys so they cant hold up your arm. . I end up coming down from a substantiation height with my hand already shaped like a claw in order hit all the notes in the chord and I end up striking the keys in a way that sounds harsh. There does not seem to be a way to push the keys slowly or quickly in to add the proper flavor. I that playing stride piano is exhausting and it causes me to feel a lot of tension in my hands. It often causes me to get a cramp in my left hand. So far I have not figured out how to use your technique for the left hand in stride piano style. Examples of this Stride Piano music style might be found in the song Ain't Misbehavin' by Fats Waller or Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin. Also, is there a way to use your technique to help to play left hand 10ths when you can barely reach a ninth? I find it to be especially hard to play 10ths in a fast tempo music. It sounds messy and it is also very uncomfortable. I am often sloppily striking unwanted nearby notes in addition to the note that I am going for. Thank you in advance if you answer my question or make a RU-vid video on the subject.

Wonderful voice to listen too, very pleasing person to listen to and interesting topic. this is my second time watching.

Dr. McKeever retiring from 35 years at UW-Parkside May 12, 2017 (BUT HE AND I WILL BOTH be doing more RU-vid videos, Webinars, and will offer Skype Coaching on the Conus Exercise Book exercises at a reasonable cost)...here is the tribute to my husband: Dr. James, I McKeever on Sunday, April 30, 2017 - before the performance of Brahms German Requiem (during which my husband, whom I call Jim, played the pipe organ part): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--g9ACGe12w4.html

If you control the loudness with the speed of the descent, that is fast descent for forte and slow descent for piano, then how do you play softly at fast speed?

Sir, I want to thank you for feely sharing this with those of us that are interested. I personally found this relevant because I am a great enthusiast of Scriabin and the Russian composers for that matter, as you have mentioned in this discourse. I know see how I can better sing the tone playing Scriabin's Prelude, Opus16 no.4 . Thank you!

Agreed, and unknowingly, there is often a lot of tension in shoulders, arms, hands. But are there more lessons by now?

This makes me want to take lessons, or at least sit and learn on my own, as an adult again! What a wonderful, engaging teacher, you are Mr. McKeever! I gave up lessons as a left-handed child when I was unable to distinguish the bass from the treble clef, playing the bass clef with my right hand and the treble with the right! Instead of the stressful experience it was for me as a child, this sounds to me like an exercise in joy and relaxation. I have long been wanting to take up the piano again simply for the joy of playing, since I do read music, but living with a chronic pain condition (especially pain in my shoulders, arms, wrists and hands) has made this a daunting idea. By your description, this may actually now be a possibility. My daughter, who is a pianist, also had wrist pain in her teen years when she was taking lessons. She doesn't play so much any more, but I am sure she would also find this helpful. Thank you for sharing this wonderful video!

Thank you for posting this valuable lesson. Where can we buy the revised edition and the DVD?

When will more RU-vid videos be available by Dr. McKeever. Also any update on when the new book will be available?

There is no DVD with the book as of January 2017...

I really appreciated this video. It solidified my understanding of methods taught by my piano teacher, Dr. Choi.

This guy knows his shit! I was gonna skip the begining but then I thought why not listen. I think its a good idea to pay attention to the people he mentions and what they endeavour.

Podría apresentar classe em español?

just found this - book is out of print - Jim and I are revising the book to be reprinted within a year BUT occasionally you can find on Ebay: www.ebay.com/itm/Fundamentals-of-Piano-Technique-by-Leon-Conus-Book-Two-/290803872744?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b542f3e8

course beginning this Friday at UW-Parkside in Kenosha, WI: Seminar in Piano Performance Practice and Literature PIANO TECHNIQUE and the RUSSIAN METHOD Unfortunately, most of us didn’t get the best technical training when we were young. Bad habits become ingrained, and conscience effort and the knowledge of proper mechanics are needed to correct problems and become better teachers and pianists. The course will include hands-on practice of exercises, and we will learn to recognize and analyze technical problems, and apply solutions for ourselves and our students. We will take a brief look at the development of piano technique over the last two centuries, the history of the Russian Method, and how the principles apply today. Private lessons are also available. My third edition of the Conus Fundamentals of Piano Technique will be published shortly. For an introduction to my background and the principles of the Russian Method, please look at my RU-vid video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vKXUswFm9b4.html. It now has over 23,000 views. My wife, Susan McKeever, also studied with Madame Conus, and will be assisting with the class. She is a Nationally Certified member of MTNA. We perform together as the McKeever Duo: ru-vid.com FRIDAYS 10:00 - 11:40 A.M. FEBRUARY 5 - MAY 6 2 ACADEMIC CREDITS INSTRUCTOR: PROFESSOR JAMES MCKEEVER UW-Parkside, Communication Arts Building (The Rita), FOR MORE INFORMATION OR CONTACT: me, Susan McKeever here on this comment section

I love Rachmaninoff .He is one of my favorite pianists!

Mason & Hamlin BB 7-foot. Good presentation. I must have had some Russian teachers... or may they did.

habrá alguna traducción al español?

Skip to 5:45 for explanation

On Mother's day, Dr. James McKeever had a major stroke. After 1 month in the hospital for rehab, he came home June 16. He was left handed and it is his left hand that started out paralyzed...now he can stand on his left leg, walk holding onto our kitchen counter; we will have 6 months to a year for more rehab...He does a lot of electrical stimulation for his upper arms, hands, and lower body...

Hello thank you for this post but I could not find the following videos mentioned neither the book...?

this guy knows what he's talking about

You automatically apply side motion to hands when you relax and you need to play a passage clean that deserves you extend your wrist. It is not worthwhile to buy books and books for this, just see Paul Barton or other classical piano tutorials on line, that is enough, or what this professor is teaching , very valid.

My question is, can I learn to use this method by reading a book? You said they'll be online lessons at a reasonable cost. How do I access them?

And how do you use this method to play a long scale? I have the feeling i can just use the fingers.

the book is the "heart" of the whole series...Dr. McKeever and I (his wife) have spent 3 years editing it and now you can buy it here: a.co/dfEJbrm THE PICTURES AND INSTRUCTIONS in the book will teach you everything you need to know and Jim and I will be offering SKYPE coaching for us to check anyone's posture, hand position as you play the exercises...everyone needs to try the exercises in the book - that means much more than watching a video - we want to watch you guys play some of the exercises and analyze what you are doing right and/or how you might improve. Susan McKeever, student of Madame Olga Conus at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

Namasthe Sir, Thanking you. Where can I buy these books in India? A suggestion for any agency or publisher in India is appreciated. With kind regards and prayers Dr.Raghavan from India. Namasthe. 10nth. July 2020

Is the Book still available for purchase? Seems like its out of print.

Aren't the consequent parts of this course published yet?

这就是高抬指的正确理解，练习技法而非演奏技法

And yt there are no muscles in the fingers. Just a small point. also, you know you can edit videos?

I've made my video of exercises to stabilize and strengthen the low back. 30 seconds a day, but it's best to do them every day. Don't complain, it's only 30 seconds. Bonus would be techniques for the shoulders and hands. Oh My Aching Bach

finally - the book comes out December 20th - a.co/aKhbKOQ

So where is the rest of the series?