March is “madness” time—at least for basketball fans. We can imitate the idea of a basketball dribble at the piano. By bracing finger 3 with the thumb a student can confidently bounce his/her own “basketball” up and down the keys. As the coach, our young player is “in training” for firm fingertips and a flexible wrist. Let’s go pro! Take away the thumb and pick up the speed. We can use the bounce of arm weight to create forward motion through the repeated notes. Feel the rhythmic rebound of the entire hand. Think two-for-one! Watch Dr. Faber coach and “play basketball” at the keyboard—whether it be an early-elementary C scale dribble or a chromatic sequence from Rhapsody in Blue.
18 replies on “A Twofer!”
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Thank you!!!
Thank you for this important and simple demonstration. My students love your songs, Randy & Nancy 🎹
I love seeing your application of this concept for multiple levels!
Very well explained! Thank-you!
I so appreciate your little videos! They’re a good reminder of things I sometimes forget to do with my students. And we can come back and do these same technical exercises anytime, even if a couple years have gone by.
Thank you!!!
Thank you for this important and simple demonstration. My students love your songs, Randy & Nancy ????
I love seeing your application of this concept for multiple levels!
Very well explained! Thank-you!
It’s fantastic to see that actual creators of the book, present the material.
I’ve been using your books for years. Much success in future endeavours.
I so appreciate your little videos! They’re a good reminder of things I sometimes forget to do with my students. And we can come back and do these same technical exercises anytime, even if a couple years have gone by.
Love the idea of “two notes for the price of one” with the bounce motion. Another great reminder that piano is also a percussion instrument.
Love the idea of “two notes for the price of one” with the bounce motion. Another great reminder that piano is also a percussion instrument.
Louise Frye
March 13 2018 at 10:28 am
Thank you for such a great demonstration of how to obtain the proper technique for arm weight.
Thank you! I love being able to see the demonstration.
Thank you! I love being able to see the demonstration.
This comment is being redone due to an error with the captcha response. Originally, I was expressing my thanks for the clarity and directness of all your comments; loved the idea of “two for the price of one”also. I look forward to your own comments and responses in the needs of young children to become better in their use of the piano keyboard; expressiveness has a foundation in yours and Nancy’s work. Thank you!
This comment is being redone due to an error with the captcha response. Originally, I was expressing my thanks for the clarity and directness of all your comments; loved the idea of “two for the price of one”also. I look forward to your own comments and responses in the needs of young children to become better in their use of the piano keyboard; expressiveness has a foundation in yours and Nancy’s work. Thank you!