At the Primer Level we lay foundations. We are beginning everything that will follow. And, in the words of Plato, “You know that the beginning is the most important part of any work, especially in the case of a young and tender thing.” Guiding a young student to form a rounded hand shape so the fingers can move freely from a very tall bridge is, indeed, “priming” the hand to play with strength and security. Yet, importantly, using the analogy of Blooming Flowers suggests a gentle expansion of the hand from a closed position. Bracing individual fingers or playing fifths, as Dr. Faber demonstrates in My Invention and Frogs on Logs, gives the student an excellent chance to drop with arm weight into a hand prepared to support that weight without tension. Building structure in the hand—a good foundation!
To learn more, see the Primer Level Technique & Artistry Book.
10 replies on “Building a Bridge”
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What a great idea! This is the first I’ve ever heard of this.
Thank you!
Excellent teaching. We need your wise advise on this simple but essential matters for playing the piano or keyboard effortlessly and beautifully.
What a great idea! This is the first I’ve ever heard of this.
Thank you!
Excellent teaching. We need your wise advise on this simple but essential matters for playing the piano or keyboard effortlessly and beautifully.
I have used this “Technique Secret” since I began using Faber Adventures. It is very effective and something little children can accomplish. Thank you!
Thank you for the demonstration. I think my boy students will prefer the idea of a bridge!
Thank you for the demonstration. I think my boy students will prefer the idea of a bridge!
The Technique Secrets are really very helpful to my studio teaching.
Children are attracted to the word ‘secret’. They are as curious as cats.
Images do inpire them.
Thank you Dr. Faber. I will continue to explore further with the Adventure series.
The Technique Secrets are really very helpful to my studio teaching.
Children are attracted to the word ‘secret’. They are as curious as cats.
Images do inpire them.
Thank you Dr. Faber. I will continue to explore further with the Adventure series.
I’ve just finished teaching the Primer Level to my granddaughter. I love that technique and artistry, as well as theory, are incorporated into the note-reading skills, right from the beginning, as all are integral to the art of becoming a pianist.
My granddaughter’s favorite part of her lesson are when we get into the Theory book!