Hi All!

 

This week I've reached a few very special milestones, that I'd like to share with you who made all of this possible:

 

• 500 subscribers on the youtube channel! Yaj! :). Thanks to all you tubers! Please keep sharing and liking the video's. 

 

This '500-subscriber-milestone' is one that I've had in mind for a longer time as being the threshold to increase the number of video uploads to 2 every week!

So there you have it: some actual results of all your sharing and liking the video's :): the more subscribers / views, the more video's will come! (so please keep sharing! 😉 )

 

• New website (+logo) coming up. (VERY EXCITED!)

 

Currently in the phase of 'implementing and testing', so it might take two to three more weeks before it's final and 'up', but I've just seen how it will be looking and that's NICE!

 

• New (English+dutch) -Video-based- Pop-Piano crash-course in the making.

 

Finally starting to take actual form, it's made for helping out all of you that:

 

• Are looking to buy my product to learn Pop-Piano in English (FINALLY! :)) (Dutch subtitles available)
• Are looking for a step-by-step, 'I'll take you by the hand and teach you the basics' video-course
• Are looking for a cheaper (and little less overwhelming) way to actually thoroughly learn the basics
• Always wanted to play Pop-Piano, but aren't sure if they're willing to invest a whole year (new course = 6 weeks)
• Need-, want- or could use very structured guidance

 

Stay tuned if you're interested. And please leave a comment (below this post) if there's something YOU'd like to get learn and / or get out of this new course. I might adapt it and throw in your wish!

 

• Last but not least: A change in newsletter format

 

Wait and see. What I can tell you right now, is that this last part of the three-part travel method will be the 'closure' for the era of this current format. A change is gonna come, and it will be good.

 

Sorry for the many words of 'general news', I'm just very excited with all the positive changes! :).

 

 

Ok, then finally, onto the lesson! (it's a short one this week).

 

 

Method C: Overcoming technical difficulties.

Where does it work: train, bus, subway, tram, airplane or any other form of public transport + everywhere and every time you have to wait for one of the above (or something else), car, while walking.

 

Where doesn't it work (when combined with Method B): there where you have to pay close attention to the traffic.

 

Benefits: Train hand-muscle memory and endurance. Learn songs without a piano.

 

Possible scenario:

You're traveling, or waiting. Want to improve your piano skills?

 

Try this.

 

Since I already explained the concepts of imaginary power, how this- and visualising something 'tricks' the brain into 'rehearsing' something that you're not actually doing, in the posts for method A and B, I'm assuming you now know this (if not, click and read here and here).

Let's expand this 'remote-rehearsal' even more, and 'trick' not only your brain, but your hands and fingers too.

 

It's very easy and straight-forward.

 

Preliminary step:

Make sure you 'know' what you want to practice, meaning either you've played it before, or you have enough basic knowledge to imagine how you would play it (see method B, for an illustrative story).

 

Execution: 'actually play'.

Although there is no piano, form your hand to the position(s) it would be in when you would be playing the thing you want to play on an actual keyboard.

'Press' like you are pressing down the actual keys, on whatever surface that is in reach. You can use your knee, a table or whatever.

 

Follow the song, riff, lick, chords, inversions or whatever your practicing with your hand. Treat your surface as the piano and actually 'press' the imaginary 'correct keys'.

 

This method works best when combined with Method B: Visualise that what is to be played, as well as the piano and the keys itself. Press them! Play them!

 

This method works especially well for practicing technical exercises like scales and licks (but can be used for rehearsing everything mentioned above).

 

That's it! Easy does it. Highly effective.

 

So there you have it. The final step of the travel practice method, that will expand the rehearsal from being locked in the mind, to actually including training your fingers and muscle memory too.

 

Combine (with A and B) and conquer.

 

I'd love to hear how this works for all of y'al so please leave a comment!

 

Tutorial Sia - Breath me. 

 

This week I have one that might not be very all-round known, but it's a very beautiful song, with a pattern that's really awesome to add to your musical vocabulary and use in different situations.

 

Hope you all enjoy!

 

 

Cheers and happy playing!

 

Coen.

 

Questions? Remarks? Show me how you play this song! Please leave a comment below!
I'm also very curious which tutorial you'd like to see next!

Begrijp je niet wat hier gebeurt en wil je dat wel graag?
Leer zelf spelen, -alles wat er gebeurt op deze community en de piano echt begrijpen met Piano Couture's Basiscursus Pop Piano.