Piano Technique: The Black Keys

[@TheJellySucker]

For years i have been struggling with arppegio runs that starts on the black keys, this video immediately changed my life afterwards

[@Pianoologist]

Music to my ears, Agung! I can think of no better words of appreciation than that something changed a life!

[@antoniovisioli4460]

Che insegnante fantastico!!!:Conoscenza pressoché perfetta dell' organologia dello strumento!!!

[@antoniovisioli4460]

Spiega dei concetti fondamentali della musica in modo così garbato e autentico. Enorme ammirazione per lei, Maestro!

[@Pianoologist]

È un piacere e un privilegio condividerlo, amico mio!

[@shaded2715]

OMG, I swear you are the best piano teacher in the whole youtube. Thank you very much for all this knowledge that you share! :D

[@Pianoologist]

Your most kind words of appreciation made my day, Danny! All the best to you in music and life!

[@dudebrodude4388]

This is the only video I can seem to find on KZbin about this topic. You sir, are a true pioneer.

[@Pianoologist]

Thank you for the most kind words of appreciation, Enor! I am we found each other in cyberspace... All the best to you in music and life!

[@rlrihards948]

This way of filming video is so cool 😅

[@sasquish]

I've always wanted a cowboy teacher, you just got yourself a new sub! Wise, joyful, love your energy man!

[@Pianoologist]

Thanks so much for the good humor and positivity, Sasquish! All the best to you in music and life!

[@jozzybeeee]

Omg how did I not think of doing this before??? THANK U!

[@Pianoologist]

Music to my ears, Jozzy!

[@catsareetuc7022]

It feels more smooth and flexible. Like little fairies dancing around the keys.

[@Pianoologist]

Music to my ears! Glad to be of service!

[@DanielRyan182]

Lol you are the best dude. Love this vid. Just cracking up when you look up at the camera😂😂. Did not see that coming!

[@Pianoologist]

Thanks a million, Daniel, for the positive feedback and for "getting" my delivery methods! Cheers!

[@Ryan-Ellis]

I actually love this guy 😂😂

[@ishansubedi3684]

thank you for this

[@Pianoologist]

It is my pleasure and privilege to share, Ishan.

[@Coverlove27]

This is awesome, what youre saying seems simple but these things are actually really hard to realize about yourself

[@Pianoologist]

Thank you so much for the words of appreciation. You are quite right. There are many things right before our eyes that we are blind to until someone points them out. And then things seem so obvious that we cannot believe we missed them in the first place. Learning to live authentically is largely this process of learning to see what is right in front of us! Best wishes in life and music. Peace.

[@PeterOzanne]

Nice tutorial. I am just a beginner, though I have tried Gymnopedies and a "simple" Chopin Etude. I have a challenge - very wide fingers! This causes a problem when playing a chord where, say, thumb and/or pinkie are playing black key, and a finger between, i.e. middle or ring, is playing a white key - the finger is just too wide on most pianos, and in trying to play that white key G, A, or D, the finger is wide enough to pull down the black keys on either side, sometimes making them actually sound! Some piano designs have black keys a couple of millimetres (3/32") thicker or thinner. I guess I just have to go around piano shops etc until I find which instruments suit my fat fingers! I presume you are USA based, but there could be some on this side of the pond who have a similar problem. So, I'm looking for a second-hand piano. I tried a large Barratt and Robinson upright where my fingers fit - for only £100! - and now I'm kicking myself I didn't grab it. This is an uncommon problem. Maybe I should use a caliber, and ask piano makers about key thicknesses! Any suggestions? Thanks!

[@Pianoologist]

+Peter Ozanne Sadly, there are some really bad pianos out there. Just keep shopping until you find an instrument you love. Life is too short to settle for less! Peace.

[@scrubmaestro4406]

Peter Ozanne It doesn't matter, just keep playing.

[@JD-qd5zp]

@Peter Ozanne - I have the same problem as you with big fingers, and I started with a concert artist several years back who also had big big fingers and he had a solution he wrapped tape around his big middle finger so that it will fit down between the black keys when that was called on in music. It really helps. In other words you’re using tape to wrap around your finger and make that portion of the finger not so thick.

[@JD-qd5zp]

I apologize. I should’ve proofread my post. The word started should have been studied.

[@ea4189]

Thank you so much :)

[@vulfkachnanajza4483]

Your teaching method is fun and helpful! 😄 Definitely sub! 💙

[@Pianoologist]

Music to my ears, Vulf! All the best to you in music and life!

[@vulfkachnanajza4483]

@@Pianoologist thank you and thank you for your lessons! 🙏

[@rickboudreau9222]

It amazes me the lack of understanding of human mechanics and physics of motion' Also, you're an inspired motivational educator' Thanks again' Rick in Kokomo

[@Pianoologist]

RB rocks! Thanks a million for the most kind words of appreciation.

[@MegaFashionTrance]

Hi, can I ask for a little advice ? I have long and weak fingers So after harder training, I always feel pain. And I often have to make 2 weeks break. I can see, the nature of piano keys, they are harder to press when you press farther to the beginning of the key, so I thing long fingers always need harder pressure when playing. Still, I am beginner in piano, so can this pain in my fingers just go away by itself, or can you give me any advice, I was watching your lessons how to play with gravity, and the movement of the arms, just asking, if you have something more for me. Thank you for for all your loving and crazy lessons, I am amazed by all philosophy you teach, it is music and life, fantastic spiritual knowledge.

[@Pianoologist]

First, thanks so much for the words of appreciation, my dear. Second, please do not fall for all the finger strength and endurance non-sense that, sadly, still seems to dominate piano teaching to this day. Physical training NO, mindful experimenting ES! piano-ology.com/piano-technique-commentary-on-hanon-cortot-czerny-etc/

[@nuderedfinger]

@@Pianoologist Amazing article!! But I had to find it on google, as the link you posted above is now dead (URL has changed). Please update the link so others might read this article as well!

[@Pianoologist]

@@nuderedfinger Thanks a million for the heads up. Link found and fixed. Sorry to make you work harder than necessary, but your feedback is deeply appreciated. Cheers!

[@Mahavishnu80]

Wow this is so obvious. Thanks. Really like your teaching style.

[@Pianoologist]

Funny, isn't it? I am still discovering more such "obvious" things every day! Thanks and Peace.

[@jocelynleung9376]

Do you have any advice for people who have small hands like me? I can only reach an octave and I have to play fantasie impromptu by chopin and the left hand seems to be not big enough and always slip of the black keys :( what can I work on ? Thanks a lot !

[@Pianoologist]

Thanks for asking, LL. The good news is that these big skips are not reached with one's fingers, but by the choreography of the entire arm and hand, Alas, I cannot diagnose your technique without seeing you live, but might I suggest checking out... piano-ology.com/piano-technique/ (It's all in there). All the best to you in music and life.

[@musicbypetegonzales4814]

Thanks for posting

[@Pianoologist]

And thanks for appreciating, Pete.

[@getbackval9499]

I'm learning "Hold the Line" by Toto.. and I injured my right index finger doing it... tells me I must be doing something wrong. Do you have any advice you could impart regarding how to tackle that song without hurting myself? I watched this video and it's great advice and I'm going to start paying attention to these two fundamental adjustments. But how do you do them when playing chords that involve both the black keys and the white keys simultaneously.. i guess that's my question. Thank you for this great content! I subscribed. I really need to get a handle on this issue because I'm going to playing this song many time a week for several months on a gig that is coming up.

[@Pianoologist]

I couldn't possibly diagnose your problem without seeing and hearing you play, Val... piano-ology.com/webcam-lessons/

[@manar91space]

You are awesome thank you

[@Pianoologist]

Thank YOU, my friend, for the words of appreciation.

[@mrmoveon7200]

Good

[@Pianoologist]

Short and sweet, Mister MO. All the best to you in music and life!

[@Corr9ctions]

He makes me laugh while learning! Is this intentional lol?

[@Pianoologist]

Yes, quite intentional! Ha! Thank you, my friend, for the good humor!

[@xylezentry4568]

One thing they don't teach is its the rythem.

[@Pianoologist]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Xyle. I agree that RHYTHM is the most under-appreciated and neglected aspect of music-making.

[@annecharvey]

So playing the piano involves all planes of movement.

[@Pianoologist]

Indeed! Fluid, natural technique is always three-dimensional... translation in three planes, but also rotation about three axes!

[@rainkhamose5374]

好的颈椎可以节省一台摄像机🎥