The Secret to Expressive Piano Playing

Have you ever struggled as a pianist, a clavichord, harpsichord or any type of keyboard player, to play a piece exactly with the expression you’d wished, or are you kind of frustrated that your hours and hours of practicing do not always result in a constant interpretation of the music you play?
Well, if that’s the case, then this video is for you!
We'll diving into three of the most essential keyboard techniques there are, what I call the f.a.w. principle: Fingers, Arm, Wrist.
I'll sit at my Erard piano in this video, since what we'll talk about is valid for any type of keyboard instrument, piano, clavichord, harpsichord and even a digital synthesizer!
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[@mariusvanhandel2876]

Thanks, Wim. excellent. This channel is becoming an important part of my musical training. By the way, the technique is not limited to keyboard. The same principles apply to playing guitar. I had learned about wrist rotation a while back from a Steinway training video. It works wonderfully for playing the guitar, but I never understood why. Thank you for the explanation. Again, excellent video.

[@AuthenticSound]

Great to read Marius! Yes, pianists use their wrist (they have to), a pity that also technique was taken in an 'opposed to' movement where suddenly changing what existed become of prime importance. I meet so many keyboard players who were thought to fix their wrist. imagine how it sounds on the clavichord... no wonder many skip this instrument so often!

I thought I would never never live to see a video on your Erard!

[@AuthenticSound]

:)

[@carmeniorga6144]

Thanks, it benefits me a lot. It is rare that accomplished musicians like yourself share so much. Please know that your generosity is highly appreciated

[@AuthenticSound]

Thank you so much, Carmen, so great to read.

[@susankinney5193]

Just to let you know, this is the video that started me on this channel! I'm so glad I stumbled upon all this!!

[@noblerkin]

Hello. Despite the pretty picture I use, I'm a 65 year old man, and my lessons began in 1961. One "Secret to Expressive Piano Playing" that I conceived and have used to my own satisfaction, has been to play, imagining that my audience is a three or four year old, or several! As I try to make notes and sections "clearer" to them, I naturally emphasize accents and crescendos more than I would otherwise. And thanks for your video!

[@AuthenticSound]

thanks for sharing your golden tip here!

[@arghapirate2427]

This lesson is great for me as a beginner

[@AuthenticSound]

Perfect!

[@neelsdp1]

I've never had a lesson like that in my life, apart from "holding the orange"... bless my four (late) piano teachers, I was not even close to the prodigy that they deserved.

[@modernmusicstudio303]

This was so helpful, thanks!

[@Clavichordist]

This is great stuff which reinforces principles even for those that are seasoned keyboard players. My early teacher was all about finger movement and position, which was both a blessing and a curse. While attending a master's class a few years ago, the pianist said I played with fingers that are too curved and I played too "classically" with my fingers in the front of the keys! She insisted I play "inside" the keys, which I found hampered my movement because I got stuck on the black keys. Taking her thoughts into consideration, I can see where playing inside the keys can have a nice effect on some music, but it's not suitable to everything, but it sure doesn't feel right to me. Going forward I can see these short "Keyboard Tips and Tricks" videos as an excellent series which can lead into a much larger program and of course as an introduction to the Basic and maybe an Advanced Keyboard technique course. For those interested in additional work with finger independence, I recommend Alloys Schmitt exercises. As always take these in moderation and always practice with a relaxed arms, hands and wrists.

[@patrickl.2303]

I don't have a piano, but what you teach me gives me more respect to pianists who have to learn this process. Thank you Wim for your teaching.

[@ThePianoVault]

I'd love to hear more from you on the Erard Wim. Perhaps even performing the same pieces in two different ways... one on the clavichord, followed by one on the Erard. You could then discuss the differences in interpretation / technique etc. Daz :)

[@AuthenticSound]

I'd love to, but it technically is rather impossible. I'll make a video on the reason why. Basically, I would need a lot of time to adapt to the piano's requirements again, which I tried at a moment, but I'm "paying" that cash with my clavichord technique. Both touches are so far off that it is almost impossible to keep doing what I want to do at my clavichord while allowing the piano technique back in my fingers and arms. The pianoforte will be an in-between, more related to the keys and technique of the clavichord. A little more patience, Daz, those videos will come!

[@ThePianoVault]

Thanks for the explanation Wim. I'm a very patient chap, so I'll keep my eyes peeled for those videos as and when they appear. Really looking forward to the pianoforte (fortepiano) plans you have. Daz :)

[@georgealexander4814]

Amazing tips, thanks Wim. It is incredible how just relaxing the finger after playing each note makes such a big difference!

[@anubhavmisra84]

Thank you for posting these. Like what Mauris Van Handel said, your lessons and recordings are an important part of my training too! I'm self-taught and your videos are very helpful to fill gaps in my learning! :)

[@AuthenticSound]

Great to read!

[@juancarlosuribe6533]

Muchas gracias. Siento no tener un ingles fluido para agradecerle todo su trabajo, pero Bravo, muy bien !!. Su curso me parece claro y muy útil.

[@JOUA1400]

..thanks yet again Maestro...

[@AuthenticSound]

Thanks!

[@turkmusik]

Thank you, this was a very helpful brief lesson. I could hear the improvement right away. It was also more fun to play this way.

[@Lyhan24]

This is really helpful.

[@Murilo9519]

Great video! Thanks for the lesson, I found it very helpful.

[@AuthenticSound]

Great to read Murilo

[@evanofelipe]

Thanks Wim, for giving us your very helpful advice and insight into keyboard principles

[@AuthenticSound]

You're more then welcome!

[@n7275]

Lots of great points, great video!

[@AuthenticSound]

Thanks!

[@Aalii6]

very valuable information and clear explanations, thank you very much

[@ardjankoster3033]

yess!!!! The lovely Erard :)

[@AuthenticSound]

:-)

[@vimotriciimpressae]

I really couldn't resist desire to try this technique and I actually bought an upright piano to recommence practising again almost from the beginning. Totally life changing. I would definitely purchase the full lesson later on. Though, in my opinion, for most beginners immature wrist moving technique may end up low wrist position every time. It could be a difficult thing for them.

[@AuthenticSound]

yes, real beginners start with relaxation of arm and wrist only

[@vimotriciimpressae]

I know you're busy giving live performances. Thank you for replying, Wim!

[@kshitijkumar9094]

I don't understand...how does this man have only 6000 subscribers?

[@AuthenticSound]

Thanks for the nice words!

[@kshitijkumar9094]

AuthenticSound Bitte schön mein Herr.

[@johnkiunke5617]

I know this is not what you'd normally play, but I'd love to hear Schumann Faschingschwank on the Erard!

[@AuthenticSound]

Hi John, I'd love to...perhaps on the pianoforte!

[@sofiewinters667]

Leuke video papa! 😚

[@AuthenticSound]

+Sofie Winters 😍😍😍

[@GeodesicBruh]

Aww

[@johndeckers8383]

Great video and I bought the course, really good!

[@williammanico2359]

Did you know that Paderewski preferred the Erard? That was the piano he debuted on in Paris and her preferred it to Steinway due to its light action.

[@brandonmorad737]

Wim,Vielen Dank!! Excellent points on principles.

[@AuthenticSound]

thanks!

[@brandonmorad737]

You are such a great teacher, we all appreciate your guidance.

[@lshin80]

Please don't slap me, but I'd like so much to hear you playing "Solace - A Mexican Serenade" by Scott Joplin on your Erard. :-P

[@AuthenticSound]

Great music btw! It's so hard to combine the Erard with the clavichord. I might make a video on why.

[@jayaramanthamizhirai9332]

thanks wim that was very good

[@MathieuPrevot]

Maybe by "fixed wrist" they meant: "with stable height wrist", which is not exclusive with relaxation of the wrist; this stability is important since your weight on the keyboard through the finger, when one use the arm, will determine both sound and effort. Horowitz is very stable and relaxed ie., within a range of heights, and not too dynamically changing. The circle movement is important for relaxation, for learning, but it the focus on this should be left behind when playing.

[@williammauldin4548]

Very nice.

[@teoleonov]

How I am wishing to have a copy of your subtitles, in order to make the Russian translation for my friends!

[@TheSunshinedreamer1]

A profound video with great pianistic gestures. You said something, I believe about using your wrist as a divider? Please explain what exactly that means and please expound upon this metaphor. THANX

[@AuthenticSound]

I'll make more videos on pianotechnique later in the year. In the course, I'll talk indepth on that element (link in the description)

[@TheSunshinedreamer1]

AuthenticSound Thank you! I am so looking forward to these lessons:) May the Lord bless you richly for your willingness to share your expertise. In the meantime, I will watch it while applying your teaching to my playing:) May I please ask you, how can I access other youtube videos of yours, perhaps something teaching on cadences and secondary and suspended chords?

[@marcussfebruary9104]

Mr. Winters, what do you use to keep your Erard so lovely and Shiney??? 😁

[@AuthenticSound]

nothing actually, it's varnished, from close you can tell it's 150 years old, but overall, it looks really nice indeed!

[@marcussfebruary9104]

@@AuthenticSound lovely! I own an early 1940s Niendorf upright that gets meticulously cared for😁😀😄keep up the great work Mr. Winters! Love it

[@man0sticks]

To paraphrase the renowned philosopher Yogi Berra, “Playing the piano is ninety percent mental, and the other half is physical.” Wim seems to believe that playing expressively is all physical, all technique. And while it’s true that one must have the technical tools, the musical conception is upstream from the execution. Without a clear idea of what one wants to express, all the technique in the world will not yield an expressive performance. So yes, have a sound technique. But as Yogi might have said, “If it ain’t in your mind, it’s never gonna be in your fingers.”

[@wedemeyerr]

2:27 there were also an explanation for staccato 😋😘

[@JAOrtizCompositor]

*Your channel is one of my favorites! I hope to share with you my music soon! This is one of your best videos in my opinion Wim. I loved it! Greetings from Mexico!*

[@AuthenticSound]

Thanks!!

[@melupiano7118]

Thank you very much for this video. I completely agree that these are the basic principles of good, healthy and expressive keyboard playing. On two aspects I have a slightly different view. In order to achieve constant alignment of arm and fingers I think lateral motion has to be initiated from the elbow and not so much from the wrist (while I am very much advocating free wrist movement) while the shoulder is completely relaxed but the arm not hanging but freely moving. Secondly I think a slightly flatter handshape as achieved by putting the hand on top of the three black keys as Chopin suggested is more natural, it might however not work very well for clavichord.

[@AuthenticSound]

Great to read! Yes, Chopin started with the scale of B Major for that reason, but still, starting with the somewhat older hand position is always a kind of benchmark, even to develop it into later music with different hand positions.

[@MarcelloCanali]

You are always inspiring. Congratulations for another great video!

[@AuthenticSound]

Thank you for watching, Marcello!