HOW TO PRACTICE - Interview with Graham Fitch and Josh Wright

[@joshwrightpiano]

A HUGE thanks to Graham Fitch for taking the time to do this interview! We are all very grateful and appreciate your insights and expertise. Side note: I think the internet may have been a bit slow during points our conversation, so the video recording lags at certain points, but the audio still seems to come through clearly. Also, we tried to center up the cameras before the interview but Skype (annoyingly!) cropped off some of Graham's piano. Thank you for your understanding!

[@ephjaymusic]

You and Graham are awesome! Thank you!

[@justinvidad-menezes2364]

Can he send the practice model sheet that he showed in the video

[@muffsmith1]

A great help, it also reinforced my own thoughts on how i have been practicing. thank you Graham and Josh.

[@huiding8186]

Thank you so much

[@PeterHontaru]

Two of my piano heroes together - thank you so much for this Josh. Look forward to listening to this

[@joshwrightpiano]

Very kind of you Peter. Thank you!

[@muffsmith1]

Here, Here!!

[@coltliam2514]

sorry to be offtopic but does anybody know a way to get back into an Instagram account?? I somehow lost the login password. I appreciate any help you can offer me

[@sethjacob797]

@Colt Liam instablaster :)

[@coltliam2514]

@Seth Jacob Thanks for your reply. I got to the site on google and im in the hacking process now. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@estiekretschmer1427]

I've returned to piano after a hiatus of about 10 years (I am now 54), and even though I played at a relatively advanced repertoire level, I had never received proper and detailed technical tutelage or guidance. Hence, I was never technically able and adept to bring forth the emotions that I can feel & hear, that breathe and burn inside of me. And that was endlessly frustrating and actually soul destroying. Thank you SO much for these invaluable videos, tutorials, tips and everything else. I am drinking in your knowledge, your kindness in sharing this, your wisdom and expertise, like a man/woman in the desert!! I am eternally grateful for this chance I have to try again with your online help, even though you don't know it. Piano feeds my soul in a way I cannot describe. I would love to subscribe to the Pro class one day. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@ROBERT-ml7ml]

What kind of piano do you play on? Because if you don't know, it's not just the teacher that's important for learning advanced techniques, but the instrument as well. If you don't have a good grand, or upright piano, you will never pull off those advanced techniques.

[@estiekretschmer1427]

@@ROBERT-ml7ml I used to have a Yamaha baby grand until I was about 30, but played on many different pianos during my studies. I currently have an August Forster upright, with the most beautiful sound and delicate touch, much better than the Yamaha actually. So, no, it's sadly not the piano ;)

[@LaserGryph]

All you need now is to interview Dr. Mortensen from Cedarville Music and we'll have the piano trifecta!

[@ImvN8Lex]

This is brilliant. We need part 2. And 3. And 7. And 84.

[@SwagLifeSeries]

Nikola Vidojevic what about 4-6 or 8-83?

[@ImvN8Lex]

@@SwagLifeSeries Nah, skip those.

[@muffsmith1]

Yeh, Yeh, Yeh, we love you!

[@ghollisjr]

I think slow practice is especially useful for approaching pieces that are technically outside of your intellectual ability to comprehend. If you try to play a Bach fugue at full speed and can barely make it through a prelude, you're going to have to rely on muscle memory to eventually get through the fugue. But, if you start very slowly then you have a chance to understand the structure of the piece and gradually accelerate the tempo. At the very least, it's a technique that's worked for me.

[@dustinpowell6507]

Practicing without rhythm is always my go to. Just get the notes right first then try the rhythm.

[@myuncle2]

two great pianists, clever nice people, and never patronizing when they teach!

[@lelandpeck4585]

Josh, this was fantastic! You and Graham are my favorite "piano vlogers". Hopefully you can do another program.

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thanks Leland! Graham told me he got through less than half of what he had planned, so we have plans to do another one!

[@johnk8174]

@@joshwrightpiano cool, great to hear!

[@lesturner9849]

Man, I didn't start playing till I was 41 lol. I love both of their channels.

[@howardlitson9796]

Les Turner you love music as hobbyist to because of your working pressure problem.

[@MegaToti26]

Excellent video. Thank you both!❤❤ It was Jascha Heifetz who said “if I don t …,………the public knows it”😅

[@Jazzper79]

I opened KZbin and just clicked immediately on this one... the best piano teachers on KZbin together -wow :-)

[@howardlitson9796]

Jazzper79 as you are piano hobbyist, open youtube to listen music which reduce your working pressure problem.

[@miwir1248]

Your dedication to your craft and willingness to share never cease to amaze. Harnessing the power of the internet to bring such great collabs to the community......thanks and more power to you!

[@joshwrightpiano]

Miwi R thank you so much for your kindness!

[@ephjaymusic]

OMG!!!! You two together!!!! Yes!!!! Thank you!

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thanks! It was a lot of fun :)

[@ishagshafeeg]

My two favorite pianists and piano teachers. How lovely.

[@reimono]

27:00 where you talk about mental block and association with that segment is so so true. It is one of things that you think you are the only one that goes through it until other people talk about it Thank you both for the great tips

[@SteveBurksMusic]

World-class discussion.

[@BobMazzo]

I recently discovered both of these gentlemen separately. Both amazing teachers and players.

[@williamgreen1512]

❤️ that saying Graham . " The body is the heavy part of the mind " , perfect .....

[@NatalyaAlbertti]

Thank you, gentlemen, what a pleasure to see you both. Every tip and advice is a gem. Please, have more of such discussions. They are priceless. Your devotion to piano art and teaching as well as willingness to share it is quite unique. Thank you.

[@rpjsq]

Wow! It is nice to see Josh and Graham both in the same video. I have translated quite a few of your videos into Chinese, which are considered very valuable by students here in China.

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thanks Chen! I'm so grateful for our collaboration together, working to get these videos to Chinese students. I hope you're having a great week!

[@RanBlakePiano]

I have a book Primacy of the. Ear. Wonder if there would be audience fir this in .china

[@rpjsq]

@@RanBlakePiano Could you please email me some detail information of your book? My email is [e-mail].

[@davidwhite2949]

Graham Fitch is incredible. Thank you so much for this interview

[@MichaelClark-zc7ht]

Love this. Finch is awesome , and so are you!

[@joshwrightpiano]

He is an awesome guy! It was fun to collaborate with him on this.

[@jamesbigfan364]

It's inspiring the fact that he started at around 12 becuase personally I also started at 12 and admiring you and you started at the age of 5 I thought I had no chance, now I see a light of hope! Great interview as well!

[@gligachaz5047]

This was an absolute gem! Too much to say about this that I can't write it. Thank you, Josh and Graham.

[@retrops4261]

This is fantastic! I've learned more about piano practice from you two than most of my lessons over the years. The two best piano teachers on KZbin.

[@attic1project776]

This is great, two of my most watched piano teachers! Josh, we appreciate your dedication to piano teaching by bringing in various sources of piano techniques to your followers! Thank you!

[@amoshalfi9011]

Josh..... you have a great Chanel.... and great passion for piano and music.... thanks for the great work and videos.

[@cjanebell]

Bring back Graham! and Josh.... What a wonderful dialogue and sense of "musicianly" collaboration/respectful and engaging exchange. Bravo!

[@stefanbernhard2710]

Excellent video. Thank you for sharing. Had the privilege of taking a lesson with Graham in London, and he has endless volumes of information to share.

[@DC-no3qt]

great and informative conversation between two piano intellectuals.

[@thedentistskitchen3080]

wow, one down one up, then two down two up, then four down four up. That alone is priceless! Thank you!

[@bassmaiasa1312]

What a treat! Two teachers who have opened up so much for me. Chick Corea teaches symetric inversion as an improvisation concept.

[@jejwood]

I was going to comment that a year and a half have passed, there needs to be a part two. God bless KZbin recommendations, I have my next 43 minutes planned out... Great work, thank you!

[@MellowVibesPiano]

Goldmine of information here! Thank you both so much for having this conversation. The expertise and enthusiasm in piano and practice is evident and it is infectious!

[@kareemahmullen8940]

So wonderful to hear the spontaneous question and answers between them: how is the best way to play this...especially, these two professionals. You learn so much hearing these invaluable discussions about their own playing experiences. Great thanks to you both, both of whom I watch and listen to on KZbin. Your work is so needed.

[@TheSIGHTREADINGProject]

Thanks for all the tips. I particularly like the idea about inventing exercises for a specific piece. Very efficient

[@joshwrightpiano]

The SIGHT READING Project he shared so much wonderful knowledge!

[@shortfingerpianist6175]

I cannot thank you enough for this. I have seen many of your and Graham's videos on technique and practicing but it is never too much :) In my short piano adventure I could already experience how useful this advice is. So often I fall back into old habit of playing whole piece again and again, hoping that with the x-th repetition the problem spots will just vanish. And then I must remind myself: "use chaining!", "use changing rhythms!", and the problem is gone infinitely faster. So thank's again to you both for sharing this valuable insight with us!

[@smplchmp]

Conversations like this are incredibly insightful in so many ways. Thank you for sharing this!

[@ramjigames]

Thanks for the Charity Graham. Good work Josh 🥰

[@alperenyelkovan5525]

Great! Just great. Love seeing u both in the same video . Pianist magazine also very nice. Great insights

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thanks Alperen! Have a great week :)

[@metteholm4833]

This is a most valuable double lesson. You are good together! Thank you very much!

[@pma475]

Just found this 2 years later and I’m thrilled! ; two wonderful teacher/ performers across the seas. And here downunder it is a treat to tap into their wisdom.

[@heribahati]

I am amazed people are saying starting at 12 is late! I started at 32! Not far now but I like the progress. I can play fur elise! Am at ex 60 on Hanon. Am 37 now.

[@R.Williams]

Well, I think they mean 12 is late if you're going to be a pro. Competition is pretty fierce at young ages. Glad you started playing regardless! Good luck!

[@heribahati]

@@R.Williams I will be a pro at 42, watch this space.

[@R.Williams]

@@heribahati You go guy! (and I really mean that!😊)

[@ThePianoFortePlayer]

The crossover we were all hoping for

[@station2station544]

Graham is a gem. Thanks for having him on, Josh - great back and forth. "If I don't practice for a day, I know it. If I don't practice for two days, my wife knows it. If I don't practice for three days, the world knows it." V. Horowitz

[@tenyako]

it always escalated already with step 2 :)

[@keremkeskiner7727]

I didn't die, but experienced heaven on earth... Thank you both... Both of you are my favorites.

[@Jazzper79]

Graham Fitch is a great teacher. One of my favorites on KZbin!

[@leona7522]

A remarkable video bringing together, IMHO, the most gifted teachers/performers on KZbin.Thanks for the introduction to Graham Fitch , Josh. The pedagogical synergy between the two of you was inspiring in itself.And a depth of understanding was added to concepts already laid out in ProPractice. Add ons and chaining for example. I was also intrigued by the mirroring etudes and practice methods of Persichetti.Reminds me of Leonardo da Vinci with his hand writing and drawing technique.As if one saw better by blocking vision to one eye or heard better by blocking sound to one ear. Right hemispheric enhancement or entrainment occuring by mirroring one hand motion with the other. So this video was in that sense an enhancement and amplification of your teaching principles that in my experience greatly accelerate learning. Bravo!

[@joshannon6148]

I've been teaching very young students(starting at age 4) for over 30 years. A lot of the above discussion included things I have been applying to my teaching. The Book 1 contains the usual folk songs. Since all my students listen to recordings of their pieces, I do not actually teach them the pieces...they have to find them on their piano with one finger. Once they know a piece they are given the fingerings. Among the many things that were discussed in this interview was symmetrical inversion. My students learn all their pieces in reverse, i.e. the RH learns the LH.the LH learns the RH. All of the points brought up in this video about these inversions are super valid, having experienced them many times. On practice performance, years ago I created the "Dinner Concert". Each student must play a 10 - 20 minute(depending on their level) concert each day consisting of their previous finished pieces. So, what I am saying is, even though this discussion is aimed at the advanced students, it is also totally relevant for the very young student. Thanks Josh Wright and Graham Fitch.

[@chihlimbar2]

That was ao great to watch , do more of these please, thx for posting this i learned a lot

[@bayomisimba6489]

This is literally one of the most helpful videos! I am so thankful for this! Keep going!

[@taputapuu9487]

absolutely priceless interview. Thank you very much for this, Josh!

[@mikec2250]

Wonderful! I'm a great admirer of you both.

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thank you Mike!

[@simonrhys-phillips3037]

Wonderful talk - so many great insights!

[@josephschepis7258]

Performance practice is a great concept which I adopted immediately. Also, your discussion on focused/targeted practice was very helpful. Thank you so much.

[@Lynkevmusic]

Excellent interview, Thank you Josh Wright and Graham Fitch. Enlightening to get a glimpse of the important techniques to improve piano time. I am really interested in the mirroring technique, I intend to use that.

[@tessfra7695]

Thank you very much for sharing your tips... Hope both of you have a great 2020!

[@PDN11141]

Yes, it is the positivity they both embody, that is so valuable.

[@RicardoCorona]

Excellent and very informative interview. Thank you so much

[@roseannfrielink8977]

Great, great video! I've been playing for 50 years and got a few reminders, some clarifications and lots of new ideas to help my piano practice. I'm saving this because I didn't take notes! I'm sure I will watch it again. Thank you so much to both of you.

[@pwnedshift1]

I just found your channel a few weeks after unpacking my piano for the first time in about 2 years and I gotta say these interviews are great. The last one I watched was with Robert Durso.

[@jillmcaleese6514]

Superb video. So useful. Thankyou.

[@saulpicado3855]

Thought provoking, thanks a lot for sharing the knowledge!

[@john.415]

This discussion was super useful! I eagerly hope for more.

[@PermittedCAMI1]

This was great Josh, I literally was interested throughout the entire video.

[@joshwrightpiano]

camerodemetri thank you!

[@johanduplessis4281]

This was FANTASTIC!!!!

[@theroninpianist4443]

Great video!, thank you both for sharing all these pieces of information and experiences.

[@chrisstabb3985]

Brilliant! Thanks Josh and Graham

[@joshwrightpiano]

Chris Stabb Thanks Chris! I hope all is well in your studies

[@hrobert745]

Great interview! I like this kind of posting. Hope you do more interviews like this.

[@Antonio-wy6lc]

This is very helpfull Josh. Many thanks to both of you.

[@classicalmusiclover4029]

at around 29:50 the quote is from Heifetz i think

[@TheWhitmore]

Mate, this interview was so fantastic. I've listened to it 3 times now. I'd love to see a video on a more formal introduction to the concepts of Chaining or Adding On.

[@AnnaKhomichkoPianist]

Wow, that's an amazing "collaboration"! The interview is very interesting, watching right now :) thank you!

[@joshwrightpiano]

Glad you're enjoying it Anna!

[@montyfrench2639]

I’m loving this, can’t wait to apply some of their techniques to my practices.

[@musicbypetegonzales4814]

Thanks for posting, great stuff!

[@markkahrhoff8484]

Love both these guys. Found them independently but love that htey know each other.

[@metteholm4833]

Scales 2 against.3... YESSS! - and 3 against 4 later.

[@symphonyoftheday5519]

Wow y'all in the same video that's crazy! I remember when y'all were in the online piano courses seminar in separate videos. This is cool!

[@mtsanri]

Oh! I recently figured out the symmetrical inversions method on my own and wondered why it was so hard to find any information on it! Glad to know it has a name and is a thing! Now I can research more

[@otaviosantosdealbuquerque]

Thank you for this! So helpful

[@rogerborras607]

Thank you again for devoting part of your time to make clear to everyone concerns that I think most of us have had some time. After watching this video, I was wondering if it is possible to talk about how to fit the correct use of the pedals (specially the resonance pedal) in piano during the study session. I personally struggle with this issue. I think that is underrated and underestimated, and most of us don't give the care that this needs. I think we all use the pedals, but very few know how to master them. I am aware that the pedal is part of piano technique. But most of all pedal is related to a listening sense mastery. Could it be possible to speak on how to fit the pedal in our practice room session? There's very little information around about this topic and I would like to know which is your approach to it. Another thing I would like to know your approach of is how we use our body during study time and performing in front of an audience. Once one of my teachers told me that when he was younger someone asked him: "¿are you aware on what is going on with your core and your breathing while playing?" and we both agreed that we are so immersed in trying to hit the correct notes and paying attention to so many other things at the same time that we often forget to be aware if we are holding our breath, pulling our shoulders up, if we are at the correct height and distance from the keyboard, if our back is curved, if our elbows are aligned with the keyboard, if our jaw is relaxed, etc. There's so many things involved going on at the same time that sadly, some of the most important we don't pay as much as the attention they should. Thank you very much again, Roger

[@JaySuryavanshiMusic]

Wow! I was just waiting for this. Firstly, there was one collaboration with Paul Barton which was amazing. And now, its Pianist Magazine's Graham Fitch! You both are one of the best piano teachers on KZbin. Keep it up,Josh 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thanks so much Jay!

[@maxchapuis6256]

Thanks a lot to both of you to share. It is very human.

[@LokiZemy]

Absolutely fantastic practice advice! Thank you so much Josh and Graham for sharing your wisdom 👍✌ oh and the reminiscing is pure gold dust! Truly appreciated.

[@metteholm4833]

This is good - in fact great! Thank you!

[@davidwhite2949]

The discussion of unconscious conflicts that impede performance is fascinating

[@thomaswilke6312]

I watched part 2 today and I had to check out part 1

[@andreak4703]

Thank you so much for sharing all of these information! I feel like I have never learned so much about technique and had so much inspiration within one hour of input before! Thank you!!!!!

[@helencoale3806]

This interview re: practicing has been extremely helpful. I took careful notes and plan to use them in my practicing going forward and to revisit this interview again in the future. Helen Coale

[@AnnaKurusis]

Loved it. Thanks!

[@Moriadin]

Terrific Interview. Thank you very much for this.

[@mithuarup1]

Thanks for sharing

[@brymbovoicewarm-ups9518]

Absolutely brilliant as always! So many great tips explained so clearly and humbly.

[@Zhinarkos]

This is exquisite. I have followed you and The Pianist Magazine (their practice demonstrations are done by Fitch) for ages. Like so many here I'm so happy that you've made this happen. Thank you.

[@chester6343]

I'm surprised to hear he started so late, hes a damn good pianist, i practice a lot using Hanon, i know thats a topic of debate but if its mindful and careful its helped me personally no end, especially when i pay attention to moving the arms effectively. I'm really enjoying the talks on different approaches to technique Josh, i really liked the taubman one, i love this element of playing the piano

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thanks Chester! Keep up the great work you're doing!

[@TheSIGHTREADINGProject]

Fantastic discussion points. Made me laugh because yes, I also have associations with people in some specific bar or phrase in my pieces because they were on my mind at the time of practicing! And I don’t mean undying love, I mean, like Graham said about the ‘phone call’, could have been a text that came in. Funny. Even years later, that person pops up in that bar

[@fasola183]

Great video, learned so much!

[@ariya950]

Oh my gosh,i even don't realize that i watched till the end of this video thank you so much

[@cbenbaruk]

Very interesting talk , thank you .

[@alphaleonis986]

This is my first time on this channel. I really enjoyed the interview and the input from both Graham and Josh. The only thing that I didn't like which stood out to me is that sometimes Josh would interrupt Graham when he was explaining something with his own input, and then Graham would never get back to what it was he'd been talking about.