Caitlin Plays Rock Zone for the RCM Video Countdown
Tuesday, January 6, 2015 by Chris Foley | Videos
Here's another of my students with an RCM Video Countdown video - Caitlin plays Dennis Alexander's Rock Zone for the Level 7 Competition:
Hélène Grimaud Plays the Second Movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23
Sunday, January 4, 2015 by Chris Foley | Videos
Now this is the kind of videography that makes classical music visually engaging, without cheapening the artists or the music in any way. Hélène Grimaud is joined by the Kammerorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks conducted by Radoslaw Szulc on a Deutsche Grammaphon release.
(via @anselmonadir)
Musicians: Avoid Injury With These Useful Stretches
Sunday, January 4, 2015 by Chris Foley | Practice Tips
The key to a long career in playing any instrument is a healthy musculature. Pianists are particularly susceptible to repetitive strain injuries, so a healthy physical approach should be a priority at all times. Rhona-Mae Arca writing in Busted Piano String has a list of 8 useful exercises that can be done every day in a little as 5 minutes. Some advice from Rhona-Mae:
Never stretch to the point of pain. Strive for a gentle stretch. If you are already suffering from a repetitive strain injury, consult a doctor, chiropractor, physiotherapist or registered massage therapist (licensed in therapeutic massage) before attempting these exercises.
By spending as little as five minutes a day on stretching exercises, musicians can alleviate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, prevent tendinitis. This can lead to many years of healthy and pain-free years of music-making.
Arm and Hand Stretches for Musicians
