Online store: gumroad.com/danthecomposer - In addition to Subscribing and Liking, do consider seeing all my recent videos in one place to keep up to date and find answers to questions you may have: ua-cam.com/users/danthecomposervideos - as well as considering my blog for a spot of wisdom: www.piano-jazz.blogspot.com. If you'd like to support me, try Patreon: www.patreon.com/danthecomposer
Timestamps for your viewing pleasure. Please thumb-up so others can see them :) 1:11 - Expectations and first idea (different amounts of notes in each hand) 2:44 - Quick philosophy bomb 3:35 - More notes per hand 4:46 - Octaves and the chromatic scale w/ different amounts of notes 6:08 - Octaves reversed as above 6:51 - Descending octaves as above (LH/RH variations) 8:11 - Single fingers ascending 8:40 - Chords introduction (different types, octaves, amounts of notes in each hand) 9:52 - Triads 10:50 - Different chord types w/ octaves (both hands) 11:53 - Personalisation and a Lisztian idea 14:04 - False ending but nice early conclusion! New idea came to me :) 14:34 - That new idea - Do Re Me - My first EVER piano thing - personalise it, too! 16:55 - Do Re Me performance for you to learn, too
You could also heart your own comment I guess 😉 BTW, I think the videos is about Breaking Dependence or Building Independence rather than Breaking Independence ^^
Good morning Dan As an adult stdent (70+yrs) who had not learned any instrument until a very few years ago I decided to begin to learn the piano. This, of course, resulted in howls of laughter and zero support. To be fair I think this lack of supoort stemmed from their fear that I may (would) totally fail, be very upset, and come to realise what a stupid decision I had made (a real "mission impossile") and that I was doomed from the start. Musically I am still on a very steep, uphill, slope however I have learned a great deal about music/piano, and (remarkably) , about myself. I have always had a professional teacher but all have played since childhood and none truly understand the hurdles an adult novice faces. My major hurdle was unexpected and surprised me - Piano teachers are everyhere, pianists of varying skills are everyhere but I am yet to find a piano "coach" (in the way you would have a golf or football coach). The reason for my note to you is to thank you for your work (I have been a subsciber for a while now). I have not found the specific information you provide in such a functionally valid form from any other source. You should re-name your site "Dan the Composer and Piano Coach" so that people searching for this aspect of muusic find you more easily. I will get to an adequate "amateur" playing level and I will do it with the valuable guidance and assistance of your site. THANK YOU.
i dont know if i am late to write this, but good job on keeping it on! its never too late to learn anything and of course it will be hard ill be cheering on you
Before I watch the video, I wanna say thanks for all the content you've put in this platform. Following your instructions, I have attained unfathomable results. It's amazing to see the internal piano playing itself, and I've deeply grasped the major scale mental exercises, along with others. Thank you very much.
I am a raw rookie, having started 9 months ago; and anything you can try is probably good. This is one of the better training exercises! Every time you struggle through an exercise is moving forward. Love the pain!
something funny happened to me while I tried the first exercise. I paused the video, visualized the exercise on my internal piano and then I thought "ok, I can do it, and I won´t let the lower part of my mind interfeer" And guess what! I did it! but not for too long... I couldn't believe that I was doing it. And just when I started to wanting to get it right, I failed. Well... at least now I know that I'm capable of doing it... I just have to become an espectator again. Thanks for all the knowlodge Dan. I'm a beginner and I find your method really motivating.
What a delightful video lesson, thanks Dan. I recalled you once said “Only with a calm and playful mind is one to improvise successfully. A fear of spontaneity is produced by overthinking”. How true it is. Wonderful, indeed, Much appreciated.
One of my biggest issues while improvising is being unable to keep any base pattern once I start getting more creative with the right hand. Didn't think about training it that explicitly, thank you!
You are very inspirational Dan. I have been playing organ then piano and keyboards for many years now and tried lots of different methods, reading lots of books and articles also watched lots of youtube videos since the advent of the internet. Whilst I have gradually improved and now got to what might be considered an intermediate level it is only after finding your channel that everything really came together. No one else can come close to you in how you approach playing the piano. I am in complete agreement with your philosophy of training the mind first and then applying the thinking to playing and allowing ones own inner feeling be expressed in the playing. My progress since starting to apply your techniques and practise methods has been much faster than previously. Thanks for providing this fantastic facility. I have of course subscribed and will continue to support you. Tony
Your the best piano teacher in the history of the earth. I was struggling in hand independence I checkd ever videos on UA-cam every UA-cam channel until I find your channel at first I thought the philosophy piano thing was 😪 but it is so so true iv learn alot from u thenk you teacher! Every time I watch u videos I learn important things for my piano journey. And the titl is correct u gon get brain braking xd
You're too kind. Thank you kindly for watching! I hope you'll enjoy the playlists I offer, as well as check out the video management website (dan-the-composer.com) - free to join and use! Enjoy :) Best, Dan
I must say I always find your videos very informative. No matter what it is or what you play these exercises can be applied to just about anywhere. I find it very important to become a spectator of your hands. It's so inspiring when my hands do as you say what is necessary to get the job done with little to no conscious interference. From learning away from the piano to visualizing what you need to know in your mind first has become very helpful and recognized patterns(again way from the piano) I found that I struggle less and have found myself needing the sheet music less time in front of me because I see the notes in my mind it's on my internal piano and juke box. My hands just tend to just move without thought and my eyes are already looking ahead of where they need to go next. I can't really explain it. I am working on moonlight sonata I really enjoy learning it and I have been using your technique and advice podcast to learn it better well I feel I have gotta better because of reprogramming. Thanks Dan👍
Really helpful video, after practicing the first two exercises I overcame the urge for the right hand wanting to follow the left, not sure why it's this way around for me rather than left following right. After quite a short time I was able to observe my hands. Thank you Dan.
Powerful brain breaking excersise me going slow as “slow is fast “ thank you for sharing this. I’m trying this since yesterday hope I get it through 🙏🏽💙
These exercises look fantastic! I'm going to spend a little time compiling a few that I'll do at every practice session. What I started to do recently is play different scales in each hand, together. I go around the circle of fourths, so, start with C in the right hand, F in the left. Then move to Bb flat in the left and F in the right and continue around the circle. I'm doing it quite slowly but I am getting quicker - without actually trying to go quickly - and I feel this really helps hand independence and learning scales. I'm sure that continuing this and adding some of the exercises in this and other videos will be hugely beneficial. Thanks as always Dan, your content is inspiring and has negated my initial belief that I would never be able to sit down with a lead sheet and just play it the way I feel at that particular time. I'm quite a way off this goal atm but I know I'll get there if I continue to practice what you teach! :)
Very pleased to read it. I certainly would look forward to seeing a video of you doing this! Perhaps you might want to add it to my Water Pianists’ Progress Playlist!? That would certainly give you something to work towards and certainly motivate and inspire others! Best, Dan 🙏🎶
@@danthecomposer I'd love to contribute to motivating & inspiring others! As an older learner of 54 I feel that some my age may mistakenly believe they are to old to begin piano. I want to show them that they aren't! :)
This is going to have such an impact on my playing. Thanks Dan. I watched someone else's video on this concept and learned an exercise that I practice once and a while but after watching this and how you put it all together, it just opens my world.
I think this is crucial advice. I am still struggling with hand independence - but have found that disengaging conscious effort is the central key (no pun intended). However, all instructor are by definition skilled, and not able to truely connect with the problems encountered by people starting out (even if they have a memory of their own trials back in the day). These exercises look so effortless when demonstrated by a practiced and skilled player - only rubbing salt in the wound of those struggling. With this in mind I would like to add a few thoughts taken from my own recent (and current) struggles with hand independence. You are dead right about essentially going from 'conscious learning' to 'unconscious knowing'. Dead right about not watching what you are doing and just 'letting it happen'; without conscious interference. Getting over this hump is like learning anything else. I can drive a car, but only because I do not have to think about all of the different things I am doing to achieve this. So, I can happily drive along and listen to music, chat to whoever is in the car with me and so forth. When practicing hand independence (and almost giving up playing the piano due to not being able to overcome this hurdle). I think of it being like riding a bike. If I am consciously engaged with the act - I fall off - and I *will* fall off - many times. That's just fine. I do not engage intellectually or emotionally (frustration): Without thinking, I just get back on the bike, and start peddling again. Example - I set a metronome ticking (also essential) and with my left hand I play three notes of a chord (in a key I find pleasing -like Cmin). I set up a rhythm in time with the metronome. Get used to the feel of it - up and down, down and up - get to the point where I do not need to look at my hands (not looking at your hands - also important). Someone could come in, and I can chat with them, and still keep this simple arpeggio going. Then I will play *any* notes with my right hand (I try to keep them in key - but do not worry if I hit a wrong note). I start playing notes at the same beat as the left hand (and metronome).... get used to it.... get 'in the flow', so I am no longer *thinking* but just playing. I am only really listening *to what my left hand is doing*.... just keeping the flow of the rhythm going. I fall of the bike (again and again) - So I just stop - no self-recrimination, no thought, no feeling - I just stop and start the left hand pattern going again. Every time I 'fall of the bike' - I am happy - by getting back on, I am getting closer and closer to my destination. I do not worry about when or where the designation is - I am just having a nice ride on my (metaphorical) bike. Now I add a new idea (and probably fall of the bike again - but that's ok). I may play two notes with my right hand for each note of the left (focus) hand. Then I may play a right hand note for every two notes on the left hand. I am trying to not look at my hands, nor consciously *think* about what I am doing - I am just expereincing it. I mess up with my right hand all the time - but that is just fine, as long as the left hand is keeping the beat. I know that eventually, my right hand will just 'fall in line'. There are all sorts of ideas I can try out in this free-flow. My aim is to A) keep the left hand rhythm steady, and B) Eventually let my right hand free - to roam up and down the keyboard (and hit more good notes, than bad). It's not easy, but it is never a *struggle* - I am forgiving - fall of the bike - just get back on and start peddling again. This to me is crucial - being able to make a mistake, stop for a second and *without thinking* just start the pattern again. I may break the pattern every other note - even every note - but I just stop and 'get back on there'. As I said, I have no idea how long it will take me to reach whatever my destination is - so I focus on (and am contented with) the ride itself. I have not mastered hand independence yet, but this is how I am making some progress. Thanks for the video, the core idea is central to how I am reaching the destination.
thanks dan I am really digging all of your stuff . Jus a question how should i approach my piano i know major scales and I dont read music how i am supposed to increase my level of playing ?
Sight reading has nothing to do with your inherent ability or potential. If you know your major scales, add the four primary chord shapes to learn how to recognise groups of note values. 1357 and all variations thereof. In addition, identify your musical personality. What do you like and why? What are your ambitions in terms of technique and repertoire? Jazz? Composition? Lots of away from the piano stuff to ponder! Let me know the results. Best, Dan
@@sreraamakshay2105 this is how I learned to go from beginner to intermediate. I learned all the major and minor scales(melodic, harmonic and natural), major scales in thirds and sixths apart, all the major triad appergios(root, 1st and 2nd inversions), all the minor triad arpeggios(I haven't covered 1st and 2nd inversions yet) and all 7th diminished chords arpeggios. Currently I'm working on chromatic scales. All of these took me 12 months to learn(2hrs practice sessions 3-4 times per week). Note that these are technical exercises but they will greatly improve your piano playing. To any intermediate player reading this, please share your 2 cents, i want to learn more. Thanks in advance
Online store: gumroad.com/danthecomposer - In addition to Subscribing and Liking, do consider seeing all my recent videos in one place to keep up to date and find answers to questions you may have: ua-cam.com/users/danthecomposervideos - as well as considering my blog for a spot of wisdom: www.piano-jazz.blogspot.com. If you'd like to support me, try Patreon: www.patreon.com/danthecomposer
Timestamps for your viewing pleasure. Please thumb-up so others can see them :)
1:11 - Expectations and first idea (different amounts of notes in each hand)
2:44 - Quick philosophy bomb
3:35 - More notes per hand
4:46 - Octaves and the chromatic scale w/ different amounts of notes
6:08 - Octaves reversed as above
6:51 - Descending octaves as above (LH/RH variations)
8:11 - Single fingers ascending
8:40 - Chords introduction (different types, octaves, amounts of notes in each hand)
9:52 - Triads
10:50 - Different chord types w/ octaves (both hands)
11:53 - Personalisation and a Lisztian idea
14:04 - False ending but nice early conclusion! New idea came to me :)
14:34 - That new idea - Do Re Me - My first EVER piano thing - personalise it, too!
16:55 - Do Re Me performance for you to learn, too
You could also heart your own comment I guess 😉
BTW, I think the videos is about Breaking Dependence or Building Independence rather than Breaking Independence ^^
Good morning Dan
As an adult stdent (70+yrs) who had not learned any instrument until a very few years ago I decided to begin to learn the piano. This, of course, resulted in howls of laughter and zero support. To be fair I think this lack of supoort stemmed from their fear that I may (would) totally fail, be very upset, and come to realise what a stupid decision I had made (a real "mission impossile") and that I was doomed from the start.
Musically I am still on a very steep, uphill, slope however I have learned a great deal about music/piano, and (remarkably) , about myself. I have always had a professional teacher but all have played since childhood and none truly understand the hurdles an adult novice faces.
My major hurdle was unexpected and surprised me - Piano teachers are everyhere, pianists of varying skills are everyhere but I am yet to find a piano "coach" (in the way you would have a golf or football coach).
The reason for my note to you is to thank you for your work (I have been a subsciber for a while now). I have not found the specific information you provide in such a functionally valid form from any other source.
You should re-name your site "Dan the Composer and Piano Coach" so that people searching for this aspect of muusic find you more easily.
I will get to an adequate "amateur" playing level and I will do it with the valuable guidance and assistance of your site. THANK YOU.
i dont know if i am late to write this, but good job on keeping it on! its never too late to learn anything and of course it will be hard
ill be cheering on you
Before I watch the video, I wanna say thanks for all the content you've put in this platform. Following your instructions, I have attained unfathomable results. It's amazing to see the internal piano playing itself, and I've deeply grasped the major scale mental exercises, along with others. Thank you very much.
My pleasure. I am nothing without grateful recipients as yourself so thank you equally 🙏🎶
Best,
Dan
I am a raw rookie, having started 9 months ago; and anything you can try is probably good. This is one of the better training exercises! Every time you struggle through an exercise is moving forward. Love the pain!
something funny happened to me while I tried the first exercise. I paused the video, visualized the exercise on my internal piano and then I thought "ok, I can do it, and I won´t let the lower part of my mind interfeer" And guess what! I did it! but not for too long... I couldn't believe that I was doing it. And just when I started to wanting to get it right, I failed. Well... at least now I know that I'm capable of doing it... I just have to become an espectator again. Thanks for all the knowlodge Dan. I'm a beginner and I find your method really motivating.
What a delightful video lesson, thanks Dan. I recalled you once said “Only with a calm and playful mind is one to improvise successfully. A fear of spontaneity is produced by overthinking”. How true it is. Wonderful, indeed, Much appreciated.
One of my biggest issues while improvising is being unable to keep any base pattern once I start getting more creative with the right hand. Didn't think about training it that explicitly, thank you!
The spectator concept is very interesting.
I’m getting better at that little bit at the end. It’s very helpful thank you.
You are very inspirational Dan.
I have been playing organ then piano and keyboards for many years now and tried lots of different methods, reading lots of books and articles also watched lots of youtube videos since the advent of the internet.
Whilst I have gradually improved and now got to what might be considered an intermediate level it is only after finding your channel that everything really came together.
No one else can come close to you in how you approach playing the piano.
I am in complete agreement with your philosophy of training the mind first and then applying the thinking to playing and allowing ones own inner feeling be expressed in the playing.
My progress since starting to apply your techniques and practise methods has been much faster than previously.
Thanks for providing this fantastic facility.
I have of course subscribed and will continue to support you.
Tony
Your the best piano teacher in the history of the earth. I was struggling in hand independence I checkd ever videos on UA-cam every UA-cam channel until I find your channel at first I thought the philosophy piano thing was 😪 but it is so so true iv learn alot from u thenk you teacher! Every time I watch u videos I learn important things for my piano journey. And the titl is correct u gon get brain braking xd
You're too kind. Thank you kindly for watching! I hope you'll enjoy the playlists I offer, as well as check out the video management website (dan-the-composer.com) - free to join and use!
Enjoy :)
Best,
Dan
I must say I always find your videos very informative. No matter what it is or what you play these exercises can be applied to just about anywhere. I find it very important to become a spectator of your hands. It's so inspiring when my hands do as you say what is necessary to get the job done with little to no conscious interference. From learning away from the piano to visualizing what you need to know in your mind first has become very helpful and recognized patterns(again way from the piano) I found that I struggle less and have found myself needing the sheet music less time in front of me because I see the notes in my mind it's on my internal piano and juke box. My hands just tend to just move without thought and my eyes are already looking ahead of where they need to go next. I can't really explain it. I am working on moonlight sonata I really enjoy learning it and I have been using your technique and advice podcast to learn it better well I feel I have gotta better because of reprogramming. Thanks Dan👍
Really helpful video, after practicing the first two exercises I overcame the urge for the right hand wanting to follow the left, not sure why it's this way around for me rather than left following right. After quite a short time I was able to observe my hands. Thank you Dan.
Powerful brain breaking excersise me going slow as “slow is fast “ thank you for sharing this. I’m trying this since yesterday hope I get it through 🙏🏽💙
You will 🙏
Hello, sir. I love your channel, you have a great content that it isnt easy to find. Cheers from Brazil =)
Merci for this.
These exercises look fantastic! I'm going to spend a little time compiling a few that I'll do at every practice session.
What I started to do recently is play different scales in each hand, together. I go around the circle of fourths, so, start with C in the right hand, F in the left. Then move to Bb flat in the left and F in the right and continue around the circle. I'm doing it quite slowly but I am getting quicker - without actually trying to go quickly - and I feel this really helps hand independence and learning scales. I'm sure that continuing this and adding some of the exercises in this and other videos will be hugely beneficial.
Thanks as always Dan, your content is inspiring and has negated my initial belief that I would never be able to sit down with a lead sheet and just play it the way I feel at that particular time. I'm quite a way off this goal atm but I know I'll get there if I continue to practice what you teach! :)
Very pleased to read it. I certainly would look forward to seeing a video of you doing this! Perhaps you might want to add it to my Water Pianists’ Progress Playlist!? That would certainly give you something to work towards and certainly motivate and inspire others!
Best,
Dan 🙏🎶
@@danthecomposer I'd love to contribute to motivating & inspiring others! As an older learner of 54 I feel that some my age may mistakenly believe they are to old to begin piano. I want to show them that they aren't! :)
This is going to have such an impact on my playing. Thanks Dan. I watched someone else's video on this concept and learned an exercise that I practice once and a while but after watching this and how you put it all together, it just opens my world.
2:17 thats a great exercise.. i am going to make variations of this exercise to target my weakness.👍
This is delightful!
Thanks but I’m preparing a better updated version to publish very soon!
Really helpful, thank you 😊 Like your philosophies aswell!
Hey nice video very informative thanx. 😀 this will even help me in apprigeos. can you guide us on apprigeos and fitting it in a melody please 😊
Ahh ... brain breaking excercises. Tough to get used to doing but the benefits are worth it.
I think this is crucial advice. I am still struggling with hand independence - but have found that disengaging conscious effort is the central key (no pun intended).
However, all instructor are by definition skilled, and not able to truely connect with the problems encountered by people starting out (even if they have a memory of their own trials back in the day). These exercises look so effortless when demonstrated by a practiced and skilled player - only rubbing salt in the wound of those struggling.
With this in mind I would like to add a few thoughts taken from my own recent (and current) struggles with hand independence.
You are dead right about essentially going from 'conscious learning' to 'unconscious knowing'. Dead right about not watching what you are doing and just 'letting it happen'; without conscious interference.
Getting over this hump is like learning anything else. I can drive a car, but only because I do not have to think about all of the different things I am doing to achieve this. So, I can happily drive along and listen to music, chat to whoever is in the car with me and so forth.
When practicing hand independence (and almost giving up playing the piano due to not being able to overcome this hurdle). I think of it being like riding a bike. If I am consciously engaged with the act - I fall off - and I *will* fall off - many times. That's just fine. I do not engage intellectually or emotionally (frustration): Without thinking, I just get back on the bike, and start peddling again.
Example - I set a metronome ticking (also essential) and with my left hand I play three notes of a chord (in a key I find pleasing -like Cmin). I set up a rhythm in time with the metronome. Get used to the feel of it - up and down, down and up - get to the point where I do not need to look at my hands (not looking at your hands - also important). Someone could come in, and I can chat with them, and still keep this simple arpeggio going.
Then I will play *any* notes with my right hand (I try to keep them in key - but do not worry if I hit a wrong note).
I start playing notes at the same beat as the left hand (and metronome).... get used to it.... get 'in the flow', so I am no longer *thinking* but just playing. I am only really listening *to what my left hand is doing*.... just keeping the flow of the rhythm going. I fall of the bike (again and again) - So I just stop - no self-recrimination, no thought, no feeling - I just stop and start the left hand pattern going again. Every time I 'fall of the bike' - I am happy - by getting back on, I am getting closer and closer to my destination. I do not worry about when or where the designation is - I am just having a nice ride on my (metaphorical) bike.
Now I add a new idea (and probably fall of the bike again - but that's ok). I may play two notes with my right hand for each note of the left (focus) hand. Then I may play a right hand note for every two notes on the left hand. I am trying to not look at my hands, nor consciously *think* about what I am doing - I am just expereincing it. I mess up with my right hand all the time - but that is just fine, as long as the left hand is keeping the beat.
I know that eventually, my right hand will just 'fall in line'.
There are all sorts of ideas I can try out in this free-flow. My aim is to A) keep the left hand rhythm steady, and B) Eventually let my right hand free - to roam up and down the keyboard (and hit more good notes, than bad).
It's not easy, but it is never a *struggle* - I am forgiving - fall of the bike - just get back on and start peddling again. This to me is crucial - being able to make a mistake, stop for a second and *without thinking* just start the pattern again. I may break the pattern every other note - even every note - but I just stop and 'get back on there'.
As I said, I have no idea how long it will take me to reach whatever my destination is - so I focus on (and am contented with) the ride itself.
I have not mastered hand independence yet, but this is how I am making some progress.
Thanks for the video, the core idea is central to how I am reaching the destination.
thanks dan I am really digging all of your stuff . Jus a question how should i approach my piano i know major scales and I dont read music how i am supposed to increase my level of playing ?
Sight reading has nothing to do with your inherent ability or potential. If you know your major scales, add the four primary chord shapes to learn how to recognise groups of note values. 1357 and all variations thereof. In addition, identify your musical personality. What do you like and why? What are your ambitions in terms of technique and repertoire? Jazz? Composition? Lots of away from the piano stuff to ponder! Let me know the results.
Best,
Dan
Is there flow chart in learning piano? Or things to know to become a intermediate from beginner?
@@sreraamakshay2105 this is how I learned to go from beginner to intermediate. I learned all the major and minor scales(melodic, harmonic and natural), major scales in thirds and sixths apart, all the major triad appergios(root, 1st and 2nd inversions), all the minor triad arpeggios(I haven't covered 1st and 2nd inversions yet) and all 7th diminished chords arpeggios. Currently I'm working on chromatic scales. All of these took me 12 months to learn(2hrs practice sessions 3-4 times per week). Note that these are technical exercises but they will greatly improve your piano playing. To any intermediate player reading this, please share your 2 cents, i want to learn more. Thanks in advance
@@bruceerogan3662 thanks for your time mate. Im gonna be busy achieving a new short term goal, wish i learn it faster! 😃
@@sreraamakshay2105 go for it! Goodluck broh
Dan
Took time off from you tube. Your. Voice so different