Piano
How Anyone Can Learn To Play The Piano: Part 2
We pick up when we last left off, which is my third secret for teaching anyone to play the piano: Bytes. Click here to read part 1!
In computers, bytes are among the smallest bits of memory making up every kind of digital content. For piano, I like use bytes as representation of the digital tools that offer unprecedented capabilities to unlock student potential and teacher effectiveness.
We pick up when we last left off, which is my third secret for teaching anyone to play the piano: Bytes. Click here to read part 1!
In computers, bytes are among the smallest bits of memory making up every kind of digital content. For piano, I like use bytes as representation of the digital tools that offer unprecedented capabilities to unlock student potential and teacher effectiveness. Read More
How An Old Piano Becomes New Again
Missing keys? Broken strings? Scratches or chipped finish on the case? Before you think about putting your beat up old piano out to pasture, you should check out the fascinating art of piano restoration. My old Steinway L that I had since I was a child had gotten so badly abused from heavy pounding over the years that it was completely unplayable. Think tattered teddy bear with missing button eyes, missing limbs, and half of the stuffing gone from rips and tears all over - my piano was worse. After the Cunningham Piano Company worked their magic on it, I couldn't believe that the gleaming, pristine instrument had once been that tattered teddy bear, looked and sounded even better than when it was brand new! (They were able to fix a scale inharmonicity that was the result of a bad original frame design).
You can watch an episode from the Science Channel that was filmed at the Cunningham Piano Company, showing the art of restoring pianos.
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Online Piano Lessons with Hugh Sung are Now Available
We are excited to announce that online piano lessons with Hugh Sung are now available! Learn more about the Online Popular Piano School at artistworks.com/piano.
"It's an incredible honor to be joining the roster of some of the best musicians in the world and sharing a common passion to make the very best music education available to students anywhere. One of my greatest thrills comes from helping people discover the amazing things they can do with music. ArtistWorks provides an unprecedented platform to make this possible. Through these beautifully filmed piano lessons and the personal attention I can give to each student through ArtistWorks' Video Exchange system, I can help people play beautiful music right from day one. We based these online piano lessons on songs that people want to play, without all the boring exercises or mind-numbing theory. Students learn just what they need to play their favorite songs in the shortest time possible, and we have tons of fun in the process!" - Hugh Sung Read More
Welcome Piano Students!
Hello and welcome to all new incoming students! My name is Marcus and I'm one of the video editors working on the Hugh Sung curriculum here at ArtistWorks. I just wanted to let you all know that we filmed an absolutely giant collection of video lessons for this site and only a fraction of what we have is currently up on the site. We have opened the doors already but rest assured there are many, many more full song lesson series in the process of being edited and on their way soon. The site will continue to grow exponentially in the coming weeks and months with what we already filmed. Hugh will also continue to provide fresh new content and will be filming new lessons series shoots periodically. So dig in and enjoy the lessons and keep your eyes open for new content appearing regularly.
Some other popular pieces that will be arriving soon:
- Clair de Lune
- All of Me
- Fur Elise
- Linus and Lucy
- Blue Danube Waltz
- Moonlight Sonata
- Clocks
- ... and more! Read More
Piano Tastings Episode 1: A Tale of 2 Boesendorfers
Welcome to the first episode of Piano Tastings, the show where we explore what makes pianos sound so beautiful and unique. Hosted by Rich Galassini from Cunningham Pianos and pianist Hugh Sung, we take a look at two Boesendorfer 225 pianos and how preparing pianos can make them sound differently for the living room or the concert stage.
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Play Piano For Your Health!
Studies are showing that learning to play an instrument at any age can bring significant improvements in your brain. Musical training in childhood creates additional neural connections that can last a lifetime. Many benefits could even be in store if you decide to pick up an instrument for the very first time in midlife or beyond.
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Piano Lessons with Christie Peery: The Drop Float Wrist
In this sample piano lesson from the Online Piano School, Christie Peery goes over a basic, yet essential component of piano technique: using wrists. In particular the drop float wrist, a technique widely used since the Classical Period and one that piano players are introduced very early on in their piano lessons. For this lesson, Christie uses the Samuel Arnold Sonata in D major to illustrate the importance of the drop float wrist technique as a way to either make the notes louder or softer.
Piano Backing Track for “Silent NIght”
As requested, my spontaneous piano arrangement of "Silent Night" that I played harmonica to on Christmas Eve. I put it in Advanced in Tracks, which are found in Study Materials. I used an A harp, playing in E (cross harp/2nd position) and C, the key of 4OB (like Eb on a C harp), then back to E. If any of you want to try playing along, have at it.
Beginner Piano Lesson: Piano Posture
In this beginner piano lesson from Christie Peery we have some great tips for you on how to get started playing the piano. These are some great basic steps for beginner piano players and a cool refresher for those getting back into playing the piano. We'll cover three areas to get you started: how to sit at the piano, how much distance from the keys you should be, and posture. So take a deep breath, make sure you've streched, and let's get started.
Talking Piano Lessons with Christie Peery
ArtistWorks: How long have you been teaching piano lessons?
Christie: I started teaching piano when I was 9 years olds - so (not to give away my age or anything) 31 years.
AW: What age do you recommend people start taking piano lessons?
Christie: 5 years old if a parent can sit and practice with the child daily. 8 years old if the child is going to mostly do it on their own. The most important training for Classical piano is the first few years when muscular and musical habits are formed. These things can be learned later, but poor habits are hard to break and strong old habits make you sound like a genius.
AW: If someone has already been taking piano lessons with someone else, is there anything they'll need to know about the Peery Method and your style of teaching?
ArtistWorks: How long have you been teaching piano lessons?
Christie: I started teaching piano when I was 9 years olds - so (not to give away my age or anything) 31 years.
AW: What age do you recommend people start taking piano lessons?
Christie: 5 years old if a parent can sit and practice with the child daily. 8 years old if the child is going to mostly do it on their own. The most important training for Classical piano is the first few years when muscular and musical habits are formed. These things can be learned later, but poor habits are hard to break and strong old habits make you sound like a genius.
AW: If someone has already been taking piano lessons with someone else, is there anything they'll need to know about the Peery Method and your style of teaching?