Jesse Myers plays Chopin

During many lessons, the topic of how to practice often comes up. Since practice is very personal and often private, we sometimes have bad habits that go unnoticed. In my preparation for competitions and recitals I started video taping my practices so that I can improve my time spent at the piano. One of my biggest surprises I had with this is that my nerves were getting the best of me, and this was just a silly camcorder. I highly recommend this to any of you who would like a different perspective on your playing. It may even help you battle performance anxiety. That said, I thought I would share with you some of my practicing. After a few takes and viewings/criticisms I have something with which I am fairly happy. Here is yours truly playing Chopin's Etude in C# minor Op. 10 #4

This video isn't as condensed as it could be, it may take up to a minute or two to finish downloading.

Argerich plays Scarlatti

Here is a clip of Martha Argerich playing a Scarlatti sonata. Scarlatti is a Baroque composer who wrote a great deal for the harpsichord, over 500 sonatas in fact. Scarlatti's music is now often played on the piano. His sonatas were single movements and only a few minutes in length, which contrasts with the Classical sonata-allegro style of Beethoven and Mozart. Martha Argerich is one of my favorite pianists and a champion of virtually any style and composer. For those of you who question the importance of alternating fingers during repeated note passages, this should clear that up... :)

Gyorgy plays Liszt

Here is a clip of Adam Gyorgy, a young rising star who has been winning many important competitions lately. He is playing an etude by Franz Liszt. The piece is titled Gnomenreigen, Dance of the Gnomes. Liszt is a Hungarian born composer who spent much of his life in Paris and Weimar. He is considered on of the greatest performers of the 19th century along with Paganini. Liszt is commonly referred to as the "rock star" of the 19th century.

Enjoy