1. The Chopin Method: introduction

During this first season, we hope to celebrate Chopin's amazing contribution to piano technique.
We do it by bringing biomechanics and instructional animation to Chopin's piano method.
Please support us on Patreon to keep going: / the_chopin_method
#chopin #piano #classical music #piano technique #keyboard #pianokeyboard #tutorial #tips #piano classes #piano lessons #classical piano

[@DavidMcCoul]

As a musician with a degree in Biomechanics, I love this!

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you David! We need more backgrounds like yours.

[@matthewclarke5008]

Just some note taking from the video: 1. Extensor and flexor tendons are in equilibrium one against the other. 2. The rest position of the hand is the best position to have on the keyboard at all times. 3. Every other muscle should be flexible in the body. 4. Centre of gravity to the hand. 5. Support. The hand finds support around it's massive wrist and forearm using fingers 2 and 3. 6. Start your students in B major rather than C major to develop the natural support on the black keys. 7. Each finger has it's own character and personality. 8. Chopin prefered the mechanism of the piano to be in such a way to promote the subtle feeling of the hammer rather than the hammer, whereas modern piano's mechanism is geared towards producing power of sound. (I personally feel it's possible to still be very aware of the hammer tip when playing on our modern pianos, it's just harder.)

[@RetroRonin-nf1qg]

thanks bro

[@matthewclarke5008]

@@RetroRonin-nf1qg You're very welcome!

[@jjadegaming9337]

i dont think i fully understand the 'center of gravity to the hand'. can you please explain it to me?

[@Lauren-fd9kn]

​@@jjadegaming9337 I think that to find the center of gravity of the hand, you would have to find all the angles of your hand and see where the greatest weight would be distributed. if our hand were straight, this would be the center. then you would have to do the calculations to know what the center would be, because your hands are relaxed.

[@goktugblack]

The MASTER continues to enlighten us even 174 years after his passing. He was indeed the greatest pianist and piano composer ever.

[@calebg6587]

Started learning piano (keyboard) about a month ago, and just this introductory video has opened my eyes, I thank you sir for making this channel and carrying on the teachings of Chopin. 👏

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you!

[@davidraksin9694]

Thank the algorithm gods! I'm a self taught player and I always questioned my technique. This is great study material, thank you so much for this.

[@jarviss00]

Om my goodness. I just discovered a goldmine.

[@R.Cab.Rodrigues]

Nem toco mais piano, mas agradeço profundamente ao KZbin por me recomendar esse canal maravilhoso.

[@kurutze]

Dear Professor Saavedra, what great news to see your research in these videos. I look forward to watching them. All the best from Belgrade.

[@wedemeyerr]

I love chopin! I'm addicted to his beautiful melodies

[@zadora2013]

Great material for a piano returner. ;) At last I understand what and why I felt and instinctively knew in my childhood and youth when I was intensly practising the piano. Thank you, professor!

[@thechopinmethod7257]

It happened the same to me. Had I learned all this when I was a young apprentice ..... the good thing is that anyone can improve if there is enough dedication. and motivation Thanks for your comment.

[@lorenadreves7302]

Excente video! Gran trabajo! Felicitaciones Sr. Claudio Saavedra!

[@deliriousone9147]

Thank you for this! I fully appreciate your directness, production quality, research and teaching.

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you very much Delirious one. I sent you a DM thanking you for becoming a Patreon! More videos coming!

[@dalilsty]

These videos are a blessing. So much useful information, all well put together and explained. Thank you for this.

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you Drakvzch!

[@Carson9121]

Loving this series!! Keep em coming!!

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you Carson! In fact, more is coming, Cheers!

[@PhillipLWilcher]

Thank you!

[@constanzaaguirre782]

Amazing description of this unique method. Thanks for your help.

[@matthieu_stefanelli_music]

Congrats ! 👍

[@gabrielcarpio5843]

excellent work

[@LasseBoogieJensen]

Funny, before I came to see this video, I also had come to the conclusion that C major is the most difficult key of them all! I'm glad Chopin feels the same way !!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci beaucoup for this. As a therapist who had to overcome a major orthopedic problem with my shoulder, I think I've developed techniques for treating the body, but especially the upper extremity that could be useful for pianist. I agree completely about the biomechanical basis of Chopin. As a side note, I wished that I could have treated Glenn Gould at an early age. He had neurological problems which affected his posture and probably his personality.

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you Lawrence! Our first season is over, but a new series on Chopin lessons will bring lots of biomechanics for pianists!

[@diegodimas]

Awesome

[@moriscengic]

Amazing information. I would like to know more about this and more about the action of the 1800 pianos

[@swinginonthespiral8765]

Thank you! Definitely interested in your next videos

[@extra_almondss9630]

thank you for making this video because now i know that i've been learning the wrong rest position for 4 years

[@JBittermusic]

I'm starting to Learn ❤

[@ChopinIsMyBestFriend]

Incredible stuff. Glad I came across your videos. Thank you Dr.

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you! Very kind of you.

[@manu.vasquez]

Nice video greetings from playa ancha🙌🏼

[@meddysdreamworks]

I am very appreciate to see this wonderful video.

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you Meddy!

[@tony3938]

Me agrada este canal. Muchas gracias por todos los videos

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Muchas gracias Tony!

[@amezcuaist]

As I am steadily going deaf I need to use subtitles .This video gives several versions of Chopin`s name. eg Chopra , Japan (7 times) Shaban, Trapano , Tropon , and Trabang . Just a bit of subtitle humour on a valuable video .

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Solved! I hope.

[@beatlessteve1010]

I love the B major theory as it makes sense..

[@neylabak1]

I am so happy to find your channel. I have searched for piani videos. but there were not any video lesson about piano posture. thank you so much😍😍

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Glad it helps Narges! Greetings!

[@ggez757]

looking forward to more videos

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Coming!

[@euesports8363]

向大师致敬，像老师致敬！

[@matthewclarke5008]

Summary of notes: 1. Natural hand position. 2. Support fingers 2 and 3. 3. All other muscles in body flexible. 4. Be aware of character of each finger when fingering. 5. Try to be subtly aware of hammer tip when playing. (despite modern mechanism)

[@josephde-zordi7324]

Impressibe animations. wish I can do them

[@tabathv1]

Really interesting material,I shall follow with bated breath

[@thechopinmethod7257]

That is so nice to hear Tabathv1! Thanks!

[@TokyoFreeze]

This floating head is really smart

[@composingkiyo]

thank you professor for such informative videos on chopin! as a pianist who focuses on chopin, ill make sure to watch all your videos. many thanks from vancouver - A. Zhang

[@Divzion]

im 13 and i have no idea what im doing lol

[@Bloodborne11639]

I'm 27 and I don't know either

[@hugo.9605]

😭😭​@@Bloodborne11639

[@astaro2216]

Supe que era Chileno solo con el nombre y su forma de pronunciarlo. Gracias profesor Saavedra por los excelentes videos

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Gracias a Ud. por visitar el canal!

[@amirprog]

"its harder to play in all white keys" a super huge half truth. In fact, it is as hard if not harder to play on scales with both black and white keys. Depends on what is played

[@RoxanaMeza0]

"Great job!"

[@falco7626]

this is so cool

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you Falco. Very kind of you!

[@Oginskaya_S.]

Interestingly, only when explaining Chopin’s method is “E major” illustrated first, and then “B”. And so, the information is very interesting, I look forward to the continuation.

[@churrasco3297]

gracias algoritmo de yutu x traerme a este canaaaal y gracias a ud don Claudio por este valioso contenido, saludos desde temuco! chaltumayyy

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Saludos al temucano!

[@paxwallace8324]

In order to make a living I somehow was lucky enough to have some piano kids who weren't really strong at abstractions like sight reading. Asbergers dyslexia etc. so I developed a method I called map making where we created neighborhoods out of the enharmonic keys with all black notes like Db, F# and B. In making these maps which also taught harmony with primary chords we'd lable home or circle, up or triangle and down square. So the white notes represented the water 🌊 and the black notes the land. So that all leaves one with a magical archipelago of alternating little and big Islands. We'd populate these Islands with houses and schools and pools and zoos and playgrounds etc. Then they'd learn to make sure that the note they were composing was given a number like paint by numbers. Oh yeah in enharmonic keys the white notes are always adjacent to an Island like in Db major the 7th is C and the 3rd is F natural the white notes were always given a dock or pier with like a little bird or kid fishing😊 so we navigate north or to the right or south to the left. So the south side of a big island was Gb and the middle of the big island was Ab and the North side was Bb. So the (piers) would be C and F in Db or B and F in Gb or in B major B and E. Anyway it's loads of fun and Axiomatic or self evident once they get the lay of the land it teaches harmony and simple composition first then they start learning Xmas carols or The Lion sleeps tonight you know 3chord songs. It helpes to use thin white cardboard to notate by sliding it behind the keyboard lined up with the landscapes. So that's an important word here because you're reducing key shapes to meaningful playground contours that fit the hand. So that's my point I started with the keys that contain all black notes!

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Dear Pax. No doubt you made a lasting impact with your creativity to address harmony learning. And so skilfully as to encompass modern piano technique concepts such as black key = high notes = islands, etc. Thank you for posting your method here. CS.

[@TheElectricCheeseProductions22]

Auto generated subtitles have a different name for Chopin everytime he's mentioned lmao

[@88KeystoCure]

What a great channel and content! Keep it up! From your new FB friend, Sueanne 🎹

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you dear Sueanne. Recognition is awesome, but we owe all this to Chopin! Please share among your piano friends. Best!

[@subtituru9486]

Madness.

[@englishincontext4025]

Add to this that the hand does not 'act' in isolation. The wrist, the elbow and the shoulder are a 'couple' with each effecting the other. If the wrist is depressed (which means the flexor tendons are not in equilibrium) this inevitably means that the elbow will be locked and the should depressed, with subsequent effects of shoulder problems and neck problems - since the neck will also be pulled forward. In compensation for this change in the centre of gravity the chest will be raised and the back arched, along with increased tension in the legs. It's impossible for any part of the body to function in isolation. What we do with one part effects and is effected by every other part. And this is how it should be, or we would be unable to function. Alexander teacher.

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Hello Alexander. Thank you very much for your valuable comment. Articulation blockage is indeed a handicapping issue at the piano. Blocking as if thinking of a stiffed muscle somewhere. Body joint freedom is the subject of several disciplines which happily bring more and more people into awareness of the 'unblocked' body. Chopin's incredible insight points to the sequence of the action. The finger begins, everything else follows. I find this a true conceptual landmark in instrumental musical. The finger is less mass, more control, wider dynamics, the ultimate sensing machine and the support in keyboard walking. In XX C things are different, and all sorts of percussive effects are sought after by composers and interpreters alike. Instrumental design, weight, size and power followed suit. And then there is the fact that concert pianists do show some virtuosity when moving around. CS.

[@sanatinbuyukevreni]

Teşekkürler çeviri ve videolar icin,emeğinize sağlık :)...

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Memnun!

[@michelleh8015]

Thank you for this instruction. Would you please make a video showing Chopin's approach to a C major scale - how to use the 'in and out' motion of the thumb and where exactly fingers are placed on the keys?

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you Michelle! Work is being done precisely about this. This particular video comes following finger to finger technique, so it may take a few more months to publish here in YT.

[@michelleh8015]

Thanks so much - Looking forward to it!@@thechopinmethod7257

[@eliasabbas8450]

​@@thechopinmethod7257 I have the same inquiry as that of Michelle, and you can be sure that I'll be waiting with great anticipation. Thank you for your work.

[@SomeDumUsrName]

So C Maj is both good and bad: Good for visualization but bad for mechanics. Makes sense. Also, the last statement concerning modern design finally lets me understand why I find so many keybeds so unimpressive. To me, the softer side of dynamics is SO important and I want to be able to delicately kiss notes or phrases or runs. SO many keybeds just don't lend themselves to doing this at ALL. And so many that do just aren't consistent with or good at it.....kind of janky.

[@tomasbautista7792]

I have started to study piano, and I started with the C major scale. Well I am going to start playing B major also.

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Hello Tomas. It is a splendid idea, one that has to be done properly and mindfully. Please remember to familiarise yourself with and build a good hand configuration on the keys. This is also a neuromuscular learning, so be gentle and patient. At some point along your progress, you should be able to feel the extra flexion that our long fingers do over the white keys. Best!

[@JosueSilvaPianista]

Me encataria si se puediera hacer una version en español, estaria super interesante 😁, gran trabajo felicidades

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Hola Josue. Gracias por el comentario. Si Ud. opta por subtítulos en este video, podrá configurarlo para el castellano. Ya lo probé y funciona bien. Saludos.

[@JosueSilvaPianista]

@@thechopinmethod7257 muchas gracias por contestar y tiene razón, ya me los he visto todos con subtitulos, los videos tienen mucha informacion interesante, muchas gracias por compartir sus conocimientos😁👍

[@Jonathan-Avila]

​@@thechopinmethod7257 Maestro, muchas gracias por publicar su excelente trabajo, ahora bien, cómo ya se ha mencionado en otros comentarios sería un gran aporte que sus videos tuviesen version, o al menos subtítulos adecuados en español, desafortunadamente, al menos en mi caso, la app de KZbin sólo permite colocar subtítulos en Español o Inglés que son auto-generados y resultan incorrectos en muchas ocasiones distorsionando el correcto sentido de la información. Con 44 años estoy apenas comenzando a aprender a tocar el piano, su trabajo me viene sumamente oportuno y es altamente apreciado, resulta de gran valor, le esto muy agradecido.

[@stannnleee3440]

Omg Chopin is right! Everything i know is wrong!! It totally makes sense. I just played a bunch of melodies, and they were easiest and felt most natural in B!

[@user-qh2rc6fj3q]

Здравствуйте! Спасибо огромное за бесценные знания и за прекрасный перевод на русский язык! Однако, должна обратить внимание на ошибку, а именно , слово sharp переводится с английского языка на русский диез, а слово flat переводится как бемоль.

[@larrysheetmetal]

I agree with his statement about learning everything in the the C scale first , MY theory is it learning everything in the C scale has more to do with learning HOW TO READ SHEET MUSIC than playing the PIANO .

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Since many pianists begin playing in childhood, the tradition is set on C Major for several reasons, including the easier solfiége in C. There is also the problem of children's small hands. I believe that little children should learn in a keyboard scaled proportioned to their hands. Adult beginners, nonetheless, should absolutely begin learning in B.

[@Bloodborne11639]

Ohh it's Shopan ive always said it as Chapin

[@dingosfm]

This guy just sounds like a pianist

[@cecilsproject6796]

Thank you for the video. Something I dont undestand🤔 You learn Bmajor key first with natural hand first Im okay with that. But after when you arrive to C major your long fingers are gonna have to change position anyway no? Or you have to put your long fingers between the write and black keys??

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you for your question Cecil! Indeed, Chopin regarded c major as the most difficult key to learn. Rather than placing the fingers between the black keys, a c major scale requires that the thumb be in and out the keyboard. This is important in order to keep the hand in its natural position while giving the thumb the opportunity to play. How do you play doing this "in and out" movement? Elbow technique. This is why the elbows should *always* hand free of tension and and flexible.

[@cecilsproject6796]

@@thechopinmethod7257 thank you vert much for your answer. Is There a photo where we could see the hand at the beginning of the c scale. I m not sure to understand this position maybe because Im french😉

[@JSJ-AI]

@@thechopinmethod7257 I was taught to use/move my wrist for my thumb to do this "in and out" movement. But what you are talking about (elbow technique that keeps the hand in its natural position) makes much more sense, thank you.

[@coralreef909]

An analysis of Liszt and Henselt‘s technique would be great too.

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you for the suggestion, Coral. Contrary to Chopin, Liszt didn't make an analytic account of his technical ideas. His own technique, in fact, was constructed with effort and experimentation, transitioning from periods of tension to injuries. Little technical advice is reported from Liszt's students, who where very many. Their accounts do frequently say that Liszt's lessons were more into the spirituality and transcendence of music. Chopin is another story. He understood the biomechanics of playing the piano early on, and learned to play the most athletic musical ideas with little effort.

[@coralreef909]

@@thechopinmethod7257 and what of Adolf von Henselt and the technique of extensions ? Also Anton Rubinstein similarly?

[@bozzigmupp510]

What operatic piece was playing in the intro?

[@thechopinmethod7257]

The piece is called Lascia la Spina de Händel. It is an aria da capo used in several of his works. Cheers!

[@aenema22]

Great video, but what's up with the audio? It's hard panned right with lots of background noise.

[@robertosandoval6767]

Tradúzcalos al español maestro, por favor 🥺

[@thechopinmethod7257]

A partir del video 6 incluiré subtítulos para que el traductor de KZbin funcione mejor. Gracias por su comprensión.

[@user-kp7ls7ml1h]

i think if you wan to be play all chopin music,,,i think start all scale practice or even op22 is more difficult than C major in beginning

[@velcroman11]

I wonder if Hanon wrote a disclaimer on his works?

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Chopin would have sued Hanon in the spot :-)

[@typetersen8809]

@@thechopinmethod7257 Absolutely! It irks me no end to see Hanon's instruction to "lift the fingers high and strike the key..." 😡 I have for years taught my students both the E Major and B Major scales, or 5 Finger Riff, to make it sound "cool"! I shall make a search for Chopin's "Methode des Methodes" (I think that's the Title) and hopefully secure a copy in English and add it to my Tobias Matthay works! Thank you for your work....SUBSCRIBED!!! 😁👍

[@astusin]

Maestro Saavedra,deduzco por su nombre que podria hablar en espanol, podria subtitular sus videos en dicha lengua?...la comunidad hispanoparlante todoa se lo agradecera sentidamente , gracias

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Gracias por la recomendación, estimado Néstor. Desde ahora se incluirán mejores substítulos en castellano e inglés. Atentos saludos!

[@astusin]

@@thechopinmethod7257 Muchas gracias a usted y realmente es interesantísimo su material, lo recomendaré a mis amigos sin duda alguna

[@meryrock10]

Hola profesor, tiene este curso en español?

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Hola Mery Rock. Los subtítulos se pueden activar en castellano. Espero que sirva. Muchas gracias. CS.

[@naomin5284]

Looks like the captions are slightly off. @4:50 Chopin didn't have finance, he had finesse!

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you Naomi! Best!

[@anamarialavayen4876]

Dejar mi Savedra , do you have this explenation in spanish?please

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Hola Ana María. Si Ud. configura los subtítulos al castellano, verá que se traduce bastante bien. Pero si hay errores y surgen dudas, por favor contactarnos. Muchas gracias!

[@anamarialavayen4876]

Muchas gracias ,asi lo haré!

[@amezcuaist]

Is there a publisher that includes all the Chopin fingering ?

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Hello! I recommend Henle Urtext or the Fryderyka Chopin Instytut edition from Poland.

[@ClassicalCadenza]

For you guys I've made a series on "Understanding Your Body to Improve Piano Technique" Feel free to check it out if you want to know more about your body to play the piano more freely kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4LddKGCeNObaMU

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Wonderful. Thank you very much! Great info.

[@maduroholdings]

Awesome I’m 55 I hope it’s not too late to make use of this start in B major I’m ready to undo bad habits

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Hello Maduro! Thank you for your comment. The good news is that neural and muscle plasticity are completely active at your age, unless there are past injuries o diseases that are getting in the way. Congratulations on coming back to the piano. A most rewarding activity in life.

[@vive335]

Why can’t we switch the beginner learning to B major scale so it’s easier on the hands?

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Hi Cleo. Since many pianists begin playing in childhood, the tradition is set on C Major for several reasons. I believe that little children should learn in a keyboard scaled proportioned to their hands. Adult beginners, nonetheless, should absolutely begin learning in B.

[@chinhdanhtran3976]

what accent does he speak?

[@geuros]

the funny thing is Hannon exercises are actually newer than Chopin's etudes.

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Hello Radim. Chopin only taught his études to his advanced students. There are several anecdotes about that we hope to show in the next videos. Cheers!

[@ashrafthegoat]

I don't even own a piano and I know for a fact he's speaking facts.

[@juliafox52]

Could you please clear up the confusion-->in the transcript and in fact what it seems that you are saying is that Chopin suggests starting in B Major, yet in the video, it shows E Major, which would seem to make more sense.

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Thank you for your question, Julia. The B major key, as you know, uses the convenient three black/high keys F#, G#, A# to create the natural 2, 3, 4, long finger position. In the video the hand is placed from E to B, but the scale is still B major. Best!

[@juliafox52]

@@thechopinmethod7257 Ahhh! Thank you for the clarification.

[@PASHKULI]

We should address the uncomfortable shape of the "standard" piano keys as well.

[@alexzajickova605]

The CCs are funny 🤣everytime you say chopin its something else - japan, trapano etc , japan is the best tho😂

[@amezcuaist]

Yes I never knew he travelled so far . I had this wrong image of Japanese musicologists poring over his compositions .

[@alexs2612]

C est la technique que Liszt lui a montré. Chopin etait un grand compositeur mais n a pas invente la technique du piano.

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Hello Alexandre. Actually, it is quite the opposite. Chopin had already finished Études Op.10 by the time he and Liszt met (1832). Once Liszt became familiar with Chopin's études, he decided to modify his own études. Other composers such as Schumann, Debussy, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff also wrote études in the Chopin style. Needless to say, Chopin's Op. 10 is the cornerstone of modern piano technique. Cheers!

[@geiryvindeskeland7208]

Dear Claudio A. Saavedra. Considering the high technical level that the virtuosos practiced in the days of Chopin, Liszt and others, I find it sad that the whole beat theory is believed by so many. In several videos, I see children (7)9-12 years old playing several of Chopin’s etudes much faster than whole beat tempo. Shouldn’t that make whole beat supporters realize that whole beat tempo can’t be historically correct?

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Terribly sorry for the very late answer, dear Geir. Metronome markings are seldom enlightening, in my opinion. On one side, there is technical uncertainty about metronome performance and on the other side, about the very nature of the beat. Here, I refer everyone to the way Chopin put it: timing is given by the singing. To me, there is one anecdote that says a lot. His student, Mikuli, once saw him coming back from a concert in ill mood. Some pianist had played his Op. 53 Polonaise too fast!

[@user-hn4xd3pi9s]

who can tell me where i can find relative essay about the chopin method🥲

[@thechopinmethod7257]

Hello. The whole intention of this channel is to make available Chopin's ideas in a didactic manner. Other than that, you can obtain J.J Eigeldinger's book Chopin seen by his pupils. It is a wonderful compilation. Best!

[@user-hn4xd3pi9s]

is the book named Chopin pianist and teacher? i had bought it last month hah, thank you really much🥰@@thechopinmethod7257