PianoTechnique.org logo
Sign in Join

Arpeggios - a seminal systematic approach

Master piano technique with this comprehensive series, teaching fundamental arpeggio and scale movements, advanced legato, and rhythmic refinement for fluid, powerful, and expressive playing

7 episodes 44:46 Beginner Finished
Start watching

Episodes

  1. 1 The octave jump: building foundational arpeggio technique Learn the initial steps of teaching arpeggios, starting with the octave jump and emphasizing proper thumb movement and hand posture to avoid common pitfalls. Discover how to establish a strong foundation for fluid piano playing 06:10
  2. 2 Refining arpeggio technique: standing and launching Delve deeper into arpeggio mechanics, focusing on the "standing up" action of the thumb and fingers to create seamless transitions and a "pearly" sound. Explore the subtle degrees of movement for optimal performance. 07:59
  3. 3 Legato arpeggios: overcoming the hand flip Address the common challenge of legato arpeggios and the dreaded "hand flip." Understand the underlying principles of hand dynamics, drawing analogies to "crossing a stream" to maintain continuous, fluid motion 06:41
  4. 4 The arm's influence: achieving seamless arpeggio transitions Discover the crucial role of the arm in supporting smooth arpeggio movements and preventing hand collapse. Learn how to engage the arm effectively to create a "big tunnel" for the thumb, ensuring a natural and efficient technique 06:13
  5. 5 The pirouette principle: enhancing finger elasticity Explore the "pirouette" concept for refined arpeggio motion. Learn exercises to elasticize fingers and incorporate a "hidden finger lift" to achieve a more brilliant and articulate sound in your playing 05:14
  6. 6 Solving arpeggio challenges: movement and dynamics Tackle common issues in arpeggio playing, such as difficulty with crossing over the thumb. Understand the interplay between flexors and extensors for a "bubbly" sound and how to use hand angling to improve evenness 07:21
  7. 7 Advanced arpeggio refinement: vigor and rhythmic pulse Learn how to cultivate vigor in your arpeggio playing by focusing on proper "standing up" action on principle notes. Discover how to create an attractive, volumetric rhythmic pulse and apply these techniques to solid scales for comprehensive improvement 05:08