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New Piano Playing Technique

Topics: 2   Posts: 4

Hey. My name is Richard, new to this forum .  :) First post is going to be a shameless endorsement of my piano teacher. She has allowed me to play allot more in the past year. I’m normally quite cynical about new methods of piano playing, thinking instead that centuries of pioneers must have got something right. After years of repetitive strain injuries on my wrists and back from spending too long at a computer, I was only able to play the piano for 10 minutes at a time. My yoga friend recommended Piano-Yoga, a technique that incorporates hardcore Russian piano playing with eastern yoga philosophies. After 6 weeks of Piano-Yoga I noticed a difference, not only in my piano playing, but my overall physical wellbeing. A year down the line, I am now able to play all the pieces from my childhood at length (much to the delight of my neighbours!). I am fully converted to this new idea.

I have bought the book, but a lot of the techniques are available for free from the Piano-Yoga website, so you can at least get started. This technique is also particularly beneficial to pianists with small hands as it works on stretching and strengthening the fingers through ‘flat-fingered’ playing.

Check it out! Let me know what you think ;)

http://www.piano-yoga.com/
Bass
 


Topics: 2   Posts: 4
Ooops. Sorry. didn't mean to post that twice. Plus the formatting is a wrong.

Oh well. ;)

Bass

Topics: 8   Posts: 95
Hello Richard,

Thanks for posting this. I have also been using the Piano Yoga techniques to try and avoid tension and injuries in my hands (I have chronic tenosynovitis in my right hand). It's really interesting, isn't it? Great that you are playing so much more now!

My piano teacher is also very interested in yoga and exercises to avoid tension. She has produced a DVD 'Yoga For Musicians', and I do some of the exercises specifically for pianists most days before I start to play - really makes a difference! She is also very good on techniques to help one play with greater fluency - it has made me realise that I was being taught in a very rigid way when I was learning as a kid, and I'm now able to tackle far more difficult/challenging repertoire.

Good luck with your playing - keep it up!

FRAN :-)

Topics: 2   Posts: 4
Cool. I will defiantly try out that DVD. You should get the piano-yoga book that I have, its filled with excersises to strengthen your fingers and hands and make them more flexible.

Keep playing ;)

Bass

Topics: 8   Posts: 95
Here's a link with info about the Yoga dvd
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yoga-for-Musicians-DVD/dp/1906458065/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1279547422&sr=8-2

I downloaded an e-book from the GENIA/Piano Yoga website. Is this the same book you are using? It includes exercises and suggested repertoire.

Happy practising - I'm off to look at a Chopin Ballade now..... :-O

Topics: 2   Posts: 4

Yea. What’s on the website is a n excerpt of what’s in the book. The DVD looks great, will definitely be buying it. It looks more like using traditional yoga technique to help compliment playing (which looks like it will help me). Piano Yoga is more like a new piano playing technique  that incorporates yoga principles into playing. 

I'm off to play some Debussy, always makes me happy 


Bass


Topics: 2   Posts: 4
Hey Fran (and anyone else who might be viewing this thread). Hows the playing going?

Just noticed, the Piano-Yoga book has been reduced in price. Does that temp you ;) hehe.

Hope you are all well.

Bass


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