Video

I am happy to post the first twelve tutorials on the Wave Method. The first half focus on the principles of sound, tone production and the process that happens inside the mechanical parts of the piano, or ‘action’ each time we play a note. This is critical to understanding how YOU, the pianist, have ultimate control and freedom over sound. This is the foundation  from which an incredible technique is based.

The remaining workshops focus on our ‘form’, in other words, the way we use our body to play the piano. Here I outline some fundamental principles such as using lightness and speed when throwing the arm from note to note rather than pressing down with the fingers.

This is by no means a ‘flash in the pan’ theory. On the contrary it has existed at least since the 19th century:

“Attack by stroke is the germ of all fine concert playing because it produces a tone at once brilliant, firm and carrying.”  S.B. Mills 19th Century American pianist and pedagogue

The ‘attack by stroke’ is the first technique that I outline in these tutorial videos. In addition it can be witnessed by watching video footage by legendary pianists such as Artur Rubinstein, Josef Hoffmann, and Ignace Paderewski. This is a powerful approach that has nearly become extinct in the world. As a result of having serious pianistic struggles in my early years, I have had to study and relearn how to play the piano effectively. This search has led me to look back in time for the answers, where I came into contact with the invaluable principles from an archived 19th century approach. I have developed this into the ‘Wave Method’ which I am so excited to share with pianists everywhere.

There is no limit to how this system could help pianists of all ages and levels. Through the process of reconnecting with the past and appreciating the value of  beautiful tone production, (which was the number 1 criteria for all 19th century virtuosos) and then learning the strategies for achieving it, the pianist’s arsenal of interpretative effects will blossom. Additional benefits include total freedom from muscular tension, virtuosity, power and stunning lyricism. By putting the concept of tone back in its rightful place on the highest eschelon we are in effect counteracting the   detrimental effects of our increasingly ‘digitized’ musical world on the mother of all arts, Music.

INTRODUCTION

PRINCIPLES

HOW PIANO TONE IS PRODUCED INSIDE THE INSTRUMENT

THE KEYBED

HOW PIANO MECHANICS INFLUENCE OUR TONE

THE PIANO HAMMER

PRINCIPLE OF WAVE MOTION: TRANSFER OF ENERGY

SITTING POSITION

THE FINGERTIPS

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

EXERCISE

LIFE-CYCLE OF A NOTE

Alas, the first installment of my companion video to my book: Ultimate Piano Playing.