Piano master video discussion group
2 posts
Started 18 Jan 2017
A
A pianist
Original post
Hello all,
I bought the Craft of Piano Playing DVD, which improved my playing after a single viewing. Thanks Alan! I also bought the DVD of Valentina Litsitsa playing Chopin's etudes...she has amazing hands!.
How does Valentina keep her hands so supple while maintaining control while playing forte? It looks like she's caressing and tickling the keyboard. Also, she seems to prefer a high wrist position. Is the wrist height a matter of personal preference?
I've been trying to play this etude, but I can't do it as effortlessly as she does.
A
A pianist
Valentina was never my student and most likely has never heard of Craft of Piano method or skeletal piano technique. But she certainly exemplifies what we are aiming for. She plays so effortlessly because she is using herself well. Her skeletal structure is well-aligned and well-activated - there isn't TOO MUCH "finger action school" or too much "arm weight" school...
Generally, the louder you need to play, the more convenient the higher wrist becomes. Look at masters such as Horowitz or Rubinstein on YouTube, consistently they use a low wrist up until about , then for any louder dynamic the wrist is higher.
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