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sandiegoopera OP t1_it7u9zq wrote

Reply to comment by roastandstir in Hi Reddit! I'm a Grammy winning classical composer, composer-in-residence for the Philadelphia Orchestra and I also founded a music academy. In two weeks, the San Diego Opera will premiere my first ever opera, El Ultimo Sueño de Frida y Diego. AMA by sandiegoopera

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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