Fluent Arpeggio Playing: Life Changing Tips & Tricks

[@cldavis33]

Ahhhh, the real stuff. The kind of details that actually move the needle in technical playing of the keyboard. Brilliant and so thankful you share this information!

[@mabdub]

This video is probably the best video available on the internet to learn how to play scales and arpeggios evenly. All the other videos I've seen on this subject miss the point and end up recommending to play scales and arpeggios in rhythms but that's not what makes scales and arpeggios sound uneven. It's the unintended accents, usually made by the thumb and third finger which make scales sound uneven and this is the only video which addresses the actual source of the problem and then explains how to rectify the problem. I'm definitely going to recommend this channel. Thank you.

[@gabeg3433]

Solid hand work ❤

[@ohyeah9506]

finally, the right way to arpeggio. my wrist will thank me

[@suzanneroyce9300]

I wish I found this video earlier. My arthritis has really limited how I play arpeggios. Thank you this really helps.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!😊

[@Leon-xw3nv]

There is so much information in each of your videos, it requires multiple playing! Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge in an easy to understand format, it’s much appreciated!

[@mitchnew3037]

This is sublime 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙌🏻

[@protte225]

I was taught to practice arpeggios in groups of 4 notes, never in 3s, so that the thumb will never fall on an accented note and so will naturally be played lightly. As speed increases, any accentuation is reduced and any triplet effect must be absent.

[@vincenzotabone7167]

Thanks for uploading this video! The topic is very helpful in the piece I play now! Very interesting what you say about the video recordings of pianists: The interpreter feels the difference, but he plays so economically that the viewer does not see the difference. Thank you for giving us such knowledge! Great video!!

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

You're warmly welcome!

[@nylophone5730]

I absolutely love your channel. Could you please do a lesson on good hand position when playing various types of chords? Thumb in? Thumb out? Curving in or curving out etc etc?

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Great suggestion, I’ll think about!

[@nylophone5730]

@@DenZhdanovPianist Great! I'll keep an eye out

[@truekingvictory]

Dear Denis, thank you for another in-depth video on a tricky topic (at least for me). I am struggling with Czerny Op 740 No 50 right now, but it has gotten much better because of techniques you mentioned that I only recently became aware of. What I really like about your video is your hybrid "right" and "wrong" technique, which with my small hands (only barely reach a 9th), I also need to do especially when I have a thumb transition in an arpeggio of a 4th or bigger. It's very similar to what I learned when I was racing bicycles: there are two ways to make a turn, by either leaning your whole body and bicycle, or by pushing the bicycle handlebar down towards the turn while keeping the body upright. Practically, everyone does something in between.

[@tomaskuchejda-pianochannel7959]

The way you share your knowledge is quite different from the vast majority of other videos. I appreciate that you face the camera when speaking and then you switch it back to the keyboard when showing the particular technique. Also, everything is clearly visible and I don´t have to watch at 0,25 speed :) You explain completely, with attention to detail and to the point. I stopped watching videos on technique some time ago but it seems like I am gonna make an exception for your channel. Since I´ve been playing for only 2 years, I (and I am sure many others) would also appreciate examples with some less difficult pieces than the Chopin etudes :) I am sure it´s possible to show arpeggio & scale & octave technique on pieces around, say grade 5 ABRSM pieces as well. Thank you Denis!

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Thanks for your feedback Tomáš! I will consider preparing more content on easier pieces as well!

[@weichen0505]

One of the best explanation i seen on arpeggio playing technique, thumb up!

[@JuanSchellemberg]

Thank you Denis, I have had problems with arpeggios my hole life, and now I realize that I was using the wrong fingers in the right hand

[@ST52655]

Same here, and I play at a rather advanced level.

[@antoniovisioli4460]

Masterclass di altissimo livello. Grazie Maestro Zdanov.

[@roanmccormick7923]

Great lesson!

[@gergerklekle9400]

Thank You - again ❣

[@susanyakobi7499]

So impressed with both the helpfulness of your tutorials - and your fantastic English!!

[@jayswitzer9871]

thank you so much for sharing, it's very generous and appreciated.

[@billligon4005]

I like the information you presented. Thank you.

[@RolandHuettmann]

This lesson just comes in time for my practice of Chopin's C minor etude. I think you are probably giving the most detailed practice advice for arpeggios I have seen so far. And all is so clear and looks effortless. I am aware that such practice establishes correct movements in time. I like it so much. Thank you, Denis, for spending your secrets with all of us who want to learn more.

[@moy9022]

Thanks for your generosity.

[@J1283-s1k]

Astonishingly phenomenal video Denis, the best I've seen over a good week of as much in-depth searching as I could do on circular motion, rotation and arpeggios. Yours is the first arpeggio video I've seen that covers all the angles, spends plenty of time and works up to the best approach. Simply amazing.

[@robertinomartina3270]

Also check out PIANOLAB;'s video on Arpeggios. I really liked that one swell!

[@rogeriosantana7953]

That helped me a lot

[@mathaha2922]

Thank you for sharing your perspective. We are all the better for it.

[@guitaristhenx202]

Thank you, much better than the taught, thumb under arpeggios or other exemples with too much wrist rotations. This is the best way for speed and accuracy ;)

[@ST52655]

💯

[@carmelina52]

Bravo bravo super

[@jaytsecan]

Wow! Amazing. Thank you for these tips! I have been playing for years and I never had a single teacher helping me with the kind of advice you give. (I guess it is not easy finding good piano teachers)

[@ProgramistaNaBudowie]

Thank you very much for this lesson!

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@notesleb]

Your piano tips and overall approach to fixing technique are very helpful, thank you very much for them. If I had any money, I would support you.

[@idomoshe]

Great content! I love your approach to teaching. Thank you.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Thanks a lot!

[@ddsoco1]

Love all your videos, Denis. So glad the algorithm brought us together lol. At the very end of the video, you mentioned that you hadn’t yet warmed up that day. I’d love to see a video of your warmup routine, or various routines for various levels of skill. I think it’d be very helpful. Cheers.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Thanks. Yeah I am exactly plan to make such a video in some visible future

[@3213470]

This incredible. With this video and a few minutes of practice I can achieve what I still struggle with the traditional way and Los of hours. Thanks ❤❤ 👍🔥🙏

[@The65AB]

I'm just at the start of my piano adventure, so excuse my ignorance. When playing a right hand arpeggio om piano for c major for example, you use the fingering 1 - 2 - 3 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 5. Why never 2 -3 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 1 - 2? It would cause less tension when the big skip is between 1 and 2 and not between 3 and 1 for the thumb under.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Good question. There might be particular situations where this fingering might be preferred, but when playing an arpeggio which starts and ends with C, you don’t want a position change right after the first or second note, and after reaching the top turning back on the second finger might also be less secure in a really fast tempo.

[@jonathanwingmusic]

Wow, I've been playing piano for years but my arpeggio speed and accuracy has stalled for a while at around 135 bpm (8th notes). Any attempt to play faster than this results in a ton of hand tension, weirdly accently notes, incorrect notes, and uneven playing. Turns out I'd been doing the incorrect method (connected thumb rotation) for a long time. Tried your hybrid method and already simply not attempting to connect my thumb as I finish each octave feels so much more relaxed and controlled. I even tested myself at 140 bpm and was playing so much more smoothly without any pain! I look forward to practicing with this method moving forward and hope I can unlearn the years of the bad method 😅 Thanks Denis, this is an incredible video and I love your channel!

[@christopherzimmer]

Denis-hi! Before watching this video, gorgeous arpeggios almost seemed like a “magic trick” that I had conceded to never figuring out. I felt like you took me “behind the scenes” to reveal the secrets of how it’s done! BTW the suspense towards the end before you share your newly discovered fingering for Chopin’s Op. 10/1 really made me smile! Even after two years, this video stands out! Phenomenal! 😊

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

My pleasure! Thanks for commenting!

[@PianoWeekends.-.68]

I’m definitely going to try your new fingerings on the Chopin etude no.1. Yep. I wonder as well; Why didn’t I think of this way before? BYW, this is the most thorough lesson on arpeggios ever! Worth watching over and over until the ideas are clear to you. Thank you!

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

There is a newer video with more tips how to learn them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ip3ViXlmeL9kr6c

[@PianoWeekends.-.68]

@@DenZhdanovPianist oh boy, thank you! It’s like a Christmas morning! ❤️

[@pianochad]

Excellent video! Thank you so much.

[@MusicLover-oe3ig]

Thank you so much for the excellent in-depth tutorial subject: Legato Arpeggios will help novice or seasoned pianist... please keep up with the great work!!!

[@rogernichols1124]

This is such useful advice and explained and illustrated really clearly. It's given me a great boost in confidence. Thanks so much.

[@Boldstrummer]

You make it look much easier than it actually is.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Ouch! 😬 Okay, next time I will pretend I didn’t practice 5 hours a day for 20 years, and will play like crap just so you wouldn’t feel bad, no problem 👌 😂

[@Boldstrummer]

@@DenZhdanovPianist It was a complement actually. People that are competent often make it look easy. I wasn't complaining. It just puts me in awe to see that.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Have a smooth ride to the level you want to reach!

[@ErickJohn1404]

Que aula!!!!

[@sychg3448]

Amazing n inspiring

[@praddeeshm]

Thanks a lot mate ❤

[@Tyler-1203]

Thank you Denis best video 👏👏on KZbin about arpeggios new subscriber

[@Alex-tu9pw]

Hi Dennis what courses have you got going for grade three piano player. Thanks

[@w3sp]

Nice video, happy to see you also shared the completely different fingering for chop 10/1. I've been using a very similar one for years. 23-1323-1323-etc... Maybe this works even better for you as well :-) As for the bar just before and the bar just after that I use this fingering: 521-3521-3521-etc....A very different grouping that requires maybe a more unconventional thumb-over crossing but completely eliminates ANY sort of stretching in that bar.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Yeah thanks! Somehow I feel myself more comfortable with the 4th finger, but that's just individual. Will try out your fingering for other bars, thanks!

[@bluepearl4806]

Nommatter how many similar example there are on the net I always wish to check what are your technical suggestions your way of thinking dear Denis. We learn a lot from you thank you!!

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Thanks for your trust!)

[@bluepearl4806]

@@DenZhdanovPianist You are very welcome 😊👋

[@valentinlechene916]

Hey salut, i really like your video, i like your expertise on the subject i learn a lot from your point of view ! but please manage the balance between your voice and your piano ! The dynamic is very high, you can use a compressor or a limiter or change de volume between when you speak and when you play. Time to time, the volume is too high or low. I know this isnt something done in Classical music in general but for a video this is important for the listener. Hope you have a nice day !

[@simply-yoga-haifa]

Thank you for your videos. Very helpful. Would be great if you use a microphone for your voice. In some of the videos it's hard to hear your voice.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

There were a few videos with a lower audio level but that issue is hopefully fixed by now. However from comments I get surprised how soft are some devices, since I didn’t have issues like that checking videos from my phone or tablet

[@simply-yoga-haifa]

@@DenZhdanovPianist thanks 4 your quick reply!

[@tia904]

@@DenZhdanovPianist Yes, we can blame the litigation in the us that decided for us what sound level is harmful to our hearing. We are treated like children.

[@alfredbooth6854]

For your last example of the Chopin Etude, I found 2313 was the easiest solution.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

👍

[@Tautropfenoase]

absolutely fantastic tutorial. Thank you so much.💛👍

[@davidchancellor3786]

Amazing video! I rushed to the piano to try the alternate fingering you had mentioned for that awkward arpeggio in Chopin op. 10 - 1 and could play it fluently 1st try after years of settling for the hit or miss 1-2-3-5 fingering

[@fastscales]

I'm more a pop/jazz piano player. I find it much easier to just play arppeggio's using 7th chords as the thumb cross uses a smaller interval to perform.

[@bSharpHacker]

Thanks!

[@r.j4449]

I would love to have you as my professor. ❤

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

That’s by all means possible since I teach online🥸

[@subjectline]

I suppose this applies as a "how to practice" for changing hand positions in general? I would also really like a guide about how to make a basic Alberti bass, or broken chords, sound nice and smooth like a ripple of sound instead of plonking and uneven. Or options for different ways it can sound. Because that is something that is used a lot at every level and if I could do it well that would be useful for a lot of very attainable music in many styles, and also for improvisation.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Sure, this trick is quite universal. For example moving to a new position is much easier if you'd release the hand on the last note of the previous position first. Thanks for the idea, I will consider making a video on this topic!

[@piyushgupta471]

9:17 Should have given a warning for loud sound incoming. Your voice was not loud at all so i increased my volume until this time stamp.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

But… how would I wake up people who fall asleep from boredom up to that point…🧐

[@ST52655]

@@DenZhdanovPianist😂

[@catinthebookshelf]

❤

[@paulolopes9344]

your piano sound is good but your voice volume is very low. Any chance in future videos you could make your voice louder? Thank you.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

I hope it’s getting better in the newer videos. This one is quite ancient.

[@weterr123]

Just a small nitpick - as a 34 year old who clicked on this video, hearing you begin with ‘Hi Kids’ doesn’t come off very well. As you’re not even 40 yet, it comes across as patronising - I’m sure this isn’t intended though, which is why I’m pointing this out as a small critique as I’m sure you were unaware of this. Before I get hate replies, this is a constructive criticism on the presentation before I watch the rest of the video, nothing more. :)

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Thanks for the feedback! English is my fifth language, and I do my best to learn what causes irritation in native speakers due to cultural -traumas- oops I meant features, of course. 'Are you patronizing me? How dare you!' is certainly a sensitive topic in the western world, I was pointed out to this a couple of times already. I will try to avoid anything that can provoke this. But you know, it’s just impossible to say a word without offending someone nowadays🤷🏿‍♂️

[@weterr123]

@@DenZhdanovPianist thanks for your reply! As I say, I knew that English wasn’t your native language and that your words were totally innocent, I meant my comment helpfully :)

[@ST52655]

I’m 63 & didn’t give it a second thought.

[@alexandrenunes7513]

Thanks!

[@ernestdesalvo3142]

Thanks!