Does this sound like you?...... "I can play my right hand perfectly, but I can't get my left hand to cooperate." "My songs don't sound like they're supposed to sound because I make too many mistakes." "My songs sound choppy and slow even after hours of practice!" "I have to keep starting over because I get confused with where my fingers are supposed to be!" "I can't keep the rhythm right!" "I can't think and move fast enough!" "I know what I am supposed to do, but I can't do it!" "My mind goes blank even after I memorize something!" Eventually, you find yourself saying things like... "I'm just not musically inclined." "I don't have the talent to play the piano." "This is Continue Reading
Using Correct Fingering
Fingering is very flexible, and over time you will naturally learn the smoothest way to play a song. Most songs have fingering recommendations (I call them recommendations because it is flexible). While learning a song, you can stop and write in the fingering that you feel is comfortable, following some of the maneuvers I teach in the lessons. Just apply them where it feels right, and feels comfortable. It is easy to know when your fingering is not working. Most of all, don't let fingering intimidate you... enjoy playing the piano.. if it feels good and sounds good, then that's what matters. Continue Reading
Scale Fingering Chart
This is a quick reference guide to commonly used fingering for scales. The fingering always alternates 123 1234 (or 321 4321) so that the same fingering pattern repeats every octave. The thumb always stays on the white keys, never on black keys. The fourth finger always plays a black key (when there is a black key to be played in the scale). The fifth finger is only used at a starting place, a stopping place, or a turning-around place. Based on previous rule, use #5 finger at the end of a scale, instead of #1 as indicated below. The e The chart below is marked with #1 at the end of the scale, assuming you will continue to play another octave. Continue Reading
A Video Request From You – Created!
It's me! Lisa... where am I now? I'm in Calgary, Alberta. It's beautiful city! Tomorrow we roll on down the road in our cozy little RV home and will stop in Banff National Park where we are told there won't be any internet access... (will I survive?) You won't see any new posts for about 6 days! However, I took some time today and created a video to help you coordinate your left and right hand together at the same time! This video is actually a request from you. After sending out an email last week asking for your ideas on what would help you most, I had an overwhelming request for more help with getting both hands to work together. This video is just a start of an idea I have Continue Reading
Banging on the Piano Syndrome
Question from a student: I am on Level 5 and happy with my progress. However, when I listen to your audio support the sound is lovely and "soft" - I seem to play the keys much stronger and harder. Do you have any tip(s) as to how I can train my fingers to be more gentle. (I work on a computer keyboard all day so I suppose I have learned to hit the keys hard!). Lisa's Answer: When I was learning, my mom always yelled at me about "banging" on the keys. It's a natural beginner tendency. It's good you are aware of it, because you will naturally work on it. ~smile~ It's being aware, controlling your muscles, and over time you will start to know how hard and soft to hit the keys Continue Reading
Switching Smoothly Between Chords with Video
Chord switching can be frustrating, but after teaching for 22 years, I have never had a student who did not stuggle a bit, NOR have I ever had a student who cannot do it after some practice. Each student is different, therefore, each student takes a different amount of time to master it. The good news is,that once your fingers master it,you will be able to do it without thinking. Your finger muscles will develop it's own "memory" and your fingers will form the chord changes without much "brain" concentration. This, I promise! Just hang in there and allow yourself to move along in the lessons. Just take a few extra minutes before practice to concentrate on just switching back and Continue Reading