Lessons principles

Technique is inseparably connected with the musical idea of the piece, so work will always go towards both musical and technical elements at the same time. While working on technical side of the musical piece, the most important goal of the lessons are to identify what exactly causes the problem in a student's playing and find the way to overcome the difficulty. 

Work on technique include these elements:

• Playing non legato, using hand and body weight to control the sound
• Relaxation of the wrist, using different wrist movements according to the musical aim
• Developing and strengthening the fingers
• Use of the wrist in octaves, staccato in thirds and chords
• Controlling and positioning of the elbows
• Work on clarity, evenness and speed in playing scales, with particular role of the thumb

Musical aims and challenges usually include:

• Understanding the structure of the piece, playing in style of a specific period. 
• A good (and appropriate) piano sound, reflecting the musical character of the piece
• Analysing and understanding different music styles, genres, interpretations of the same piece by different pianists
• Phrasing - applying micro-changes to dynamics within a small section of the piece in order to make an expressive and natural sound
• Balancing the hands
• Voicing within one hand - bringing out a specific voice
• Working on polyphonic repertoire
• Learning etudes/studies/exercises on different techniques of piano playing.