Question to CC

[Piazzo22]

CC, I read your book. But there are some things I just can´t understand.
How would you memorize any complicated work. When you are memorizing hands separately like you say, you have to play it over and over again with the music, or how should it be?
For example how would you approach memorizing the 1st movement of Prokofiev´s  Sonata Nş 8 if you never played it before?

[Spatula]

Another question:

is CC for real?  Like does this dude know what he/she's talking about re: piano?

[mound]

I think the answer is going to be "try for yourself and see what works"

[bernhard]

Another question:

is CC for real?  Like does this dude know what he/she's talking about re: piano?

Yes. He is for real.

Yes, he knows what he is talking about.

And if I were you, I would listen carefully (in fact, even though I am not you I still listen carefully ).

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Spatula]

here's another question:

Who is CC?



Charlie Chaplin?

[xvimbi]

here's another question:

Who is CC?



Charlie Chaplin?

Are you kidding? It's Chuan C. Chang, the author of the book "FUNDAMENTALS OF PIANO PRACTICE" that has been talked about a gazillion times on this forum.

[Spatula]

Are you kidding? It's Chuan C. Chang, the author of the book "FUNDAMENTALS OF PIANO PRACTICE" that has been talked about a gazillion times on this forum.

Never heard of him..

Although there is some dude on this forum called CC...is that the same person?

[bernhard]

What are you waiting for?

Go here:

https://members.aol.com/cc88m/PianoBook.html

And read his superlative, excellent book.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[xvimbi]

Spatula,

You asked "Who is CC?"
I replied "It's Chuan C. Chang"
You ask "there is some dude on this forum called CC...is that the same person?"

Is everything ok with you? Stressed out lately, perhaps?

[bernhard]

Spatula,

You asked "Who is CC?"
I replied "It's Chuan C. Chang"
You ask "there is some dude on this forum called CC...is that the same person?"

Is everything ok with you? Stressed out lately, perhaps?

[Spatula]

Spatula,

You asked "Who is CC?"
I replied "It's Chuan C. Chang"
You ask "there is some dude on this forum called CC...is that the same person?"

Is everything ok with you? Stressed out lately, perhaps?

Affirmative.  

Depression and anxiety makes one's thinking clouded.  

[janice]

Affirmative.  

Depression and anxiety makes one's thinking clouded.  

(((((((((spatula))))))))   (that's a cyber-hug for you!)

[Spatula]

thank you sincerly.  

[CC]

Hi, folks, it is about time, I, CC (aka Chuan C. Chang) said something. First, thanks to Bernhard for kind words -- I could not have received a better welcome to this forum, and you've made my day!

Those who know me know that I try to answer everything as honestly as I can; however, I guarantee that my answers will contain many errors, and whenever you correct them, I am grateful because I've learned something. That often makes my detractors very angry because they end up pushing on a string. A bit OT, but in addition to my piano web site, I am trying (but not successfully because of the amount of time spent on my piano book - my sweet wife has to do all the cooking, cleaning and shopping while I hunch over my computer [which I helped develop!]) to write a new section called "Wisdom World" in which I include anything interesting I learned, from growing pineapples to investing to philosophy. In Philosophy, I mainly dwell on how to lead a successful and happy life: what are people like? how do you characterize types of people? etc. I mention these because in Philosophy, I discuss the most important principle of Honesty which is a most complicated subject that must be practiced and honed just like piano, and is just as tricky. And that explains why I follow that philosophy.

I am not a piano teacher by trade and was dragged into it by shear necessity because of my book, which I wrote because I had nothing better to do for 4 months between jobs.  But in answering people and actually teaching a few (some of whom have become  better pianists than I already) I am beginning to gain confidence that the methods of my book really work, and in fact, are making a significant difference in how tens of thousands of people, including piano teachers, now view piano learning. I have too many interests/responsibilities and can practice less than an hour a day, often none for several days; that's not enough at age 65. So I have effectively been "teaching" thru my book for over 10 years.  I can't believe what I am doing; the results surprise even me.  What can I do?  I'm certainly not going to quit, it's been my best contribution to society -- I couldn't possibly find anything better for my ego! Hope that's enough answer to Who is CC?

As for how to learn a new piece, my link below is designed to basically answer that question. Unfortunately, its over 300 pages.  A one-page "outline" version will be written soon as a "summary" section; meanwhile, look into section III.19.b for specific example of how to learn/memorize when you start a brand new piece.

The thread on "what to teach first" should have been a good one but deteriorated into something else.  I use a routine that  has been very successful with rank beginners that know nothing about piano for the first day. In fact, one youngster who I started this way got so interested that he begged his parents to buy a piano immediately and is now an accomplished pianist.

Every teacher has a teaching routine, but the first day must be special; a successful first day makes subsequent days so much smoother. I teach 3 things the first day: scale, vital importance of thumb, and musicality. Just sit at piano (no finger position, siting position, - no nothing) and ask: you have only 5 fingers, which means you can play from C to G; how do you play an octave?  After a while, most of them will figure something out, close to correct, but clumsy.  Then you play a fast scale and ask them "can you see what I did?"  They usually can't -- a total mystery. Then you slowly show them the thumb under and how the thumb is vital to playing the piano.  2 lessons done! And it was all  a fun game of solving a riddle and a puzzle. Then you show them a beautiful scale, up and down, one hand, both hands, etc., a gorgeous piano sound -- WOW!  That's what YOU TOO will be doing soon!  Now let them bang around on the piano -- their own version of scales. Or anything else; even "chop sticks" just start playing something.  Their way -- rough, banging, just noise.  It is important here that they make really unpleasant NOISE; really young ones are very good at that. Let the parents hear that NOISE. Then show them music - the soft touch, piano, or pianissimo, expression, the difference between banging and music.  They will immediately hear the difference, and from then on, they will always pay attention to music -- no more banging! Very happy parents! 3 lessons done!  Enough for the day!