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roastandstir t1_it7sp9u wrote

Thank you for this AMA!

  1. Which piano make/model do you prefer?
  2. Which piano piece was or is the most difficult for you to play?
  3. When it comes to learning piano, is there a point in the process or timeframe (number of hours of practice) where the left amd the right hand (the brain, really) finally breaks that barrier of being able to play at the same time?
  4. What is a good piece or exercize of music for a beginner to practice to overcome #3?
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sandiegoopera OP t1_it7u9zq wrote

Good morning, roastandstir! (What a great handle, ja ja ja!)

I grew up on a Yamaha upright so I have a real fondness for them (SD Opera took a sneaky video of me playing the Yamaha grand from our rehearsals that they put out on social media... I just couldn't resist.). That said, I have a Steinway grand now from the early 1900s, a golden era for their pianos, if you ask me. Wonderful bass.

Piano piece(s) difficult for me to play: Anything from the early classical era. I can down Bartok and much contemporary, but Haydn slays me with just a glance.

Coordinating piano hands at the keyboard: Hmmm... I think an actual piano teacher would give you a more informed answer, but one thing I do when trying to stretch my piano skills is to break up my practice into multiple short sessions through a day. Studies show that this is much more productive to learning than one long session. Perhaps this kind of practice would help you?

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roastandstir t1_it7v0p6 wrote

Great advice. I think this method of practice would go for any instrument, no?

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SaltineFiend t1_it9w0wv wrote

I find I get the most bicamerality from my hands when I stop thinking about it. Just a piece of music and an empty mind.

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