Celebrating 20 years of The Russian Technical Regimen and Piano Olympics

[apeskanov]

It's hard to believe that 20 years have passed since I authored The Russian Technical Regimen for the Piano (series of six books), published by Willis Music. Also, in 1991 I had the First Piano Olympics in Kingsport, Tennessee. It was very exciting to hear young American piano students sounding like "Russians," and enjoying more than ever practicing scales, arpeggios and all the rest… I was amazed at how quickly students adopted Leschetizky's Method, converting weight into sound, and unleashing the potential of technical freedom. Since then, I've continued to carry on the traditions of the Russian Piano School and have been privileged to work with so many talented teachers and their students.

If you're interested in finding out more about The Russian Technical Regimen for the Piano and the Piano Olympics, visit my websites:
https://peskanov.com/
https://peskanov.musicteachershelper.com/

[apeskanov]

[apeskanov]

[apeskanov]

[apeskanov]

https://peskanov.com/Merchant5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=cvc-usa&Category_Code=APPO

[apeskanov]

https://brethstudio.net/piano-olympics/

[apeskanov]

https://www.puckettpianostudio.com/piano_olympics.htm

[apeskanov]

https://www.wyattpianostudio.com/pages/studio.html

[apeskanov]

https://www.kirichenkomusicschool.com/piano_olympics.html

[apeskanov]

https://www.lhmc.org/07_piano_olympics/07_00_piano_olympics.html

[cmg]

Is this subversive advertising, or am I being hypersensitive?

[apeskanov]

If you are satisfied with all the aspects of your playing and believe that you have reached your potential and have nothing else to learn about piano skills, just move on…

[cmg]

If you are satisfied with all the aspects of your playing and believe that you have reached your potential and have nothing else to learn about piano skills, just move on…

I'm not debunking your approach, I'm just suggesting you're selling a product and not reimbursing your host, Pianostreet.  You should "move on" to a commercial venue, and drop the combative attitude.

[apeskanov]

I am trying to help people like yourself, but it is up to you to take an advantage of this opportunity.

[nyiregyhazi]

There are thousands of different books of exercises. It's not hard to find fingerings for scales in thirds. While your execution is impressive, having written exercises is the very least important issue in developing technique. An exercise is only as good as your quality of movement, which no exercise necessarily causes improvement to.

[apeskanov]

The technical curriculum and the proper technical training is extremely important in developing piano skills. I have dedicated a lot of time in my life performing as a concert artist as well as sharing my technical training and musicianship as an author, educator and master teacher. My books are not just endless exercises but rather a journey into the world of highly professional training that I was privileged to acquire in the former Soviet Union. If you have a chance, please review my "Introduction and Guide Book," or ?Piano Olympics Manual." I don't like anything that sounds superficial or just an amateur talk.

[nyiregyhazi]

Many exercises that don't cost a penny come from equally strong pedigree- not least dohnanyi. If your book is more than just a collection of exercises, it would interesting if you were to post an excerpt of the practical advice that accompanies it- so we can get an idea of whether it contains specific insights or just a rehashing of standard advice that can be acquired elsewhere. Apologies for being sceptical, but if you have a unique selling point (in a saturated field) then it's in your own interests to show that.

Even the best chosen exercises don't work without the right knowledge of how to perform them, so I'd be far more interested in what you offer in this respect, than in a demonstration that you can pay thirds well. That's down to the quality of practise more than having an exercise that covers every key.

[apeskanov]

One of the most important principles of the Russian Piano training is the realization of how to utilize the power of gravity. In my Guide Book, I call this "converting weight into sound." I also explain the "flying fingers technique" and other useful tips and tricks.

You can practice many hours every day incorrectly and develop all kinds of physical problems and issues, and never be able to play with the beautiful tone and reach for virtuosity. If you like to know HOW, learn from the ones who KNOW and CAN!

[birba]

One of the most important principles of the Russian Piano training is the realization of how to utilize the power of gravity. In my Guide Book, I call this "converting weight into sound." I also explain the "flying fingers technique" and other useful tips and tricks.

You can practice many hours every day incorrectly and develop all kinds of physical problems and issues, and never be able to play with the beautiful tone and reach for virtuosity. If you like to know HOW, learn from the ones who KNOW and CAN!

Well, how about an excerpt of this "HOW"?

[apeskanov]

You can find out HOW on my site www.peskanov.com or Hal Leonard/Willis, SheetMusicPlus, etc. and get my books and videos, and then PRACTICE!

[birba]

Gottcha!   I put out the money and take the chance that you have the answers.
Thank you.

[nyiregyhazi]

You can find out HOW on my site www.peskanov.com or Hal Leonard/Willis, SheetMusicPlus, etc. and get my books and videos, and then PRACTICE!

So the how is to buy your method? If you can't even put out a taster, I'll keep hold of my money thanks. My personal approach to "helping" people is to make all of my advice on technical issues available to all for free- not to claim that it's fantastic without offering so much as a sampler, unless money changes hands. That's not "helping". That's capitalism. However, I think you'll find that people are far more willing to take part in the system when you show them that you have a USP for free, to earn their interest (rather than merely tell them that you have one, but they'll have to pay you to find out).

Also, regarding weight, I don't see your whole arm lifting up and falling down onto each individual note. I see fingers generating virtually all of the movement. Sure, they're stabilised by the arm, but the weight is not directly creating the sound. It sounds like you're simply selling the most standard arm-weight advice- rather than offering something unique or different to the most standard methodologies. Taking subjective arm-weight descriptions as if objective reality actively held my technique back for most of my life. While I have no doubt that you could teach very effectively in person, I doubt very much whether this is likely to go far beyond what all the other methods have already described, on paper. If I'm mistaken, I'd post an excerpt to show what distinguishes you, in order to prove me wrong.

[apeskanov]

Here is a quote that I used in the beginning of my "Introduction and Guide" from "The Russian Technical Regimen":

"When I hear, I forget. When I see, I remember. When I do, I understand."

Confucius
Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC - 479 BC)  

If anyone has concrete questions or concerns, I would be delighted to offer my advice and expertise. I know plenty of pianists that benefited from being exposed to the Russian technical training through my materials. I wish you all the best!

[nyiregyhazi]

Here is a quote that i used in the beginning of my "Introduction and Guide" from "The Russian Technical Regimen":

"When I hear, I forget. When I see, I remember. When I do, I understand."

Confucius
Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC - 479 BC)  

I know plenty of pianists that benefited from being exposed to the Russian technical training through my materials. I wish you all the best!

Well, if that's the most specific thing you have to offer, what possible reason is there for a person not to use hanon and czerny etc. for the basis- just as Rachmaninoff did? Without the right accompanying guidance on the details, it doesn't matter a jot whose materials you use or whether they come from a Russian. Exercises are only as good as the guidance received on them.

Edit- notated exercises on the piano, that is. Movement based exercises such as alan fraser's  are phenomenally useful for acquiring the qualities of movement that make useful execution of pianistic exercises possible.

[apeskanov]

I agree regarding the guidance and that is what I offer. But, you are trying to pass a judgement and harsh critique on something you have never read or experienced. That is pure ignorance!

[nyiregyhazi]

I agree regarding the guidance and that is what I offer.

Not in this thread, you don't. What do you have to lose from offering a taster?

Regarding the supposed ignorance, I am actively INVITING you to demonstrate that your method is more than you have currently shown us. If it is, you should show us. prospective customers judge on what you give them. Who hands over money in the name of being open minded? Respect is earned not granted to a salesman.

[apeskanov]

Have you checked the links that I have posted? Links to the websites of the piano teachers, who are implementing the great traditions of The Russian Piano School?  Ask yourself, why would they continue conduct Piano Olympics year after year?

[nyiregyhazi]

Have you checked the links that I have posted? Links to the websites of the piano teachers, who are implementing the great traditions of The Russian Piano School?  Ask yourself, why would they continue conduct Piano Olympics year after year?

Unless your teacher is in that line themself, how will the book change anything? as I said, it's about the guidance behind the exercises. most great teachers use chopin etudes- but it's not owning the book of chopin etudes that works or puts you in a great tradition. It's the guidance from that great teacher. So why will you not offer a sample of the guidance that actually matters more than the exercise? Anyone can assemble scales in thirds on paper. I'm interested in what guidance you offer on acquiring the quality of movement required to actually execute them. If progressively hard exercises were the trick, we wouldn't need piano teachers, because anyone would become a virtuoso by owning the right book of exercises. Reality doesn't work that way.

[apeskanov]

I am going to be a featured Artist and Clinician at MSMTA 2013 at University of Maryland on Jan 12 & 13. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy Piano Olympics Workshop, Advanced Masterclass and my solo Recital. I will perform works of Bach, Beethoven Czerny, Chopin, Liszt and Peskanov. For the Piano Olympics workshop, I will be joined by a group of great piano teachers and students from Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C. and Tennessee. We'll offer discussions and demonstrations of Piano Olympics requirements, share the knowledge of how to do most efficient practicing.

[cmg]

Here is a quote that I used in the beginning of my "Introduction and Guide" from "The Russian Technical Regimen":

"When I hear, I forget. When I see, I remember. When I do, I understand."

Confucius
Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC - 479 BC)  

"When I ask, I get Chinese philosophy.  When I listen, I hear Russian salesmanship.  When I pay, I get a road possibly paved with tendonitis."

cmg
Skeptic and reformer (2012 AD)

[thalbergmad]

Anyone tried Rocketpiano?

I hear it is very good and you can learn your fave songs in minutes

I agree with nyiregyhazi (shock). There is a hell of a lot of excellent material out there that is free.

I will take a risk, keep my money and rejoice in my mediocrity.

Thal

[birba]

And here you thought you had found the perfect hunting ground...

[j_menz]

It's hard to believe that 20 years have passed since I authored The Russian Technical Regimen for the Piano

It's hard to believe it's been a year since we last had to put up with this. How time flies.

[apeskanov]

WOW! There is a lot of mediocrity in this world and clueless harsh critics. it's most unfortunate, when they are hiding behind some nicknames. Why wouldn't you reveal your true identity self proclaimed fugue connoisseur?

[j_menz]

WOW! There is a lot of mediocrity in this world and clueless harsh critics. it's most unfortunate, when they are hiding behind some nicknames. Why wouldn't you reveal your true identity self proclaimed fugue connoisseur?

"Self proclaimed fugue connoisseur" is rather a stretch. I have said no more than I like a good fugue.

And my true identity is as evident from my "nickname" as is yours.

I suspect you are upset that your "harsh critics" are not, generally speaking, "clueless" at all. Though how clued up does one need be to recognise self serving spam?

See you again next December, I suppose.

[soitainly]

 So if I buy this program, can I win a Grammy for best chromatic scales (beginner division)?

[apeskanov]

[apeskanov]

[apeskanov]

[apeskanov]

[apeskanov]

[49410enrique]

oh wow you are really good at multiple single youtube video postings. way to go!

[apeskanov]

[j_menz]

oh wow you are really good at multiple single youtube video postings. way to go!

Haha, you should be jealous. Not a single #Invalid YouTube Link# to be seen.   

 

[49410enrique]

Haha, you should be jealous. Not a single #Invalid YouTube Link# to be seen.   

 

exactly. i was being sincere!

mad skilz yo.

[apeskanov]

[apeskanov]

[49410enrique]

[apeskanov]

[apeskanov]