Name: Beginner Technique - Finger Control
Uploaded: 2022-09-07T19:25:06.000Z
Duration: 6 min 16 s

Controlling the fingers while playing piano is a challenge, but with some simple exercises, anyone can gain the ability to feel confident with all five fingers.
This is just one of many exercises that help you gain better independence of each finger. 
As with any other exercise, if you find anything you are playing uncomfortable (or even painful), consult a teacher. Playing the piano is not about "no pain, no gain."


Piano

I am a pianist and singer who started learning to play the piano at age 6, and I love teaching all students of all experience levels. Growing up I competed and placed highly in many competitions including playing with the Symphony Orchestra in my home town of Spartanburg, SC after winning it's concerto competition at the age of 17. In college I took piano from Dr. Charles Fugo at the University of South Carolina and also started taking voice lessons from Tonya Currier and Walter Cuttino.  While still in college I worked with The South Carolina Opera company for a season as a member of the ensemble and as Chorus Master. 
Professionally, I have worked with different theater and opera companies as a lead actor and as a musician. I have also worked in many different church positions as a musician and singer.
I have many years of teaching experience with piano at all experience levels.

*** Lesson Details ***
I have experience teaching since 1995 while I was still in college. I primarily use Alfred and "Faber & Faber" piano methods for beginners.  I teach how to read music, understand the theory behind the music, and the technique needed in a patient atmosphere at the pace of the student. I also teach you how the piano works and the different types of pianos as well as the history of keyboards used for different classical music.  The lessons are geared toward the goals of the student no matter what level is desired.
In teaching singing, I will teach you the basics necessary to create a healthy and relaxed sound through technique.  With experience singing music ranging from classical to contemporary church music to musical theater, I can teach you how to use the voice in a way that will promote a long time of singing without adding stress to the voice.  I will work with any style of music and will give you the technique and confidence needed to become a better singer.

*** Studio Equipment ***
For online lessons you will have a clear view of the keyboard as well as myself. It will be like you are the studio with me.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect the student to have a piano or an electric keyboard at home for piano lessons. For voice lessons a keyboard is not required but is helpful.

*** Specialties ***
I primarily teach piano in a classical style using either "Faber & Faber" or Alfred Methods for piano lessons.
For voice, I teach all my students to sing in a way that will be the most beneficial to the health of their voice. Doing this is helpful to all styles of singing.

Beginner Technique - Finger Control

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Opera Voice

Classical Piano

Classical Voice

Singing

Music Theory

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Musikgarten is the leader in early childhood music education &mdash; for children and teachers. We offer a complete multi-year educational program that helps infants, toddlers, and children develop a deep love of music and the ability to express it. We have wonderful CDs of the songs sung in class, age-appropriate instruments, and parent guidebooks. These home materials reinforce lessons and involve the whole family in the fun. We also train teachers throughout the United States and Canada on how to guide infants, toddlers, and children in developing a love of music with the Musikgarten advantage.

The MTNA was founded in 1876 with the goal of advancing the value of music study and music-making to society while supporting the careers and professionalism of teachers of music. With nearly 22,000 members in 50 states—and more than 500 local affiliates—the MTNA is the preeminent source for music teacher support, where members embody like-minded values and commitment to their students, colleagues and society as a whole, while reaping the rewards of collaboration, continuity and connection throughout the lifetime of their careers.

An American honor society for undergraduate students, graduate students, and professors of music. There are currently 205 active chapters and approximately 64,500 individual members.

Ability to teach the curricula for Musikgarten's Preschool classes.

Musikgarten Preschool Instructor

Ability to teach the curricula for Musikgarten's Family Music Babies and Toddlers.

Musikgarten Family Music Instructor

Lead singer for the North Carolina branch of the Spazmatics.

Lead Singer

Sing solos and play the organ when the regular organist is out.

Soloist and backup Organist

Lead the Bass/Baritone section during rehearsals and services. Soloist and Cantor.

Choir Section Leader

Teach music classes for babies and toddlers.

Musikgarten Family Music Teacher

Musikgarten Preschool Teacher

I did various shows with the South Carolina Opera Company as a chorus member and Chorus Master. I also worked with Ann Arbor Opera in Michigan on a production of Trouble in Tahiti.

Chorus Master and Chorus Member

English

Phillip teaches any level from ages 4-100. Anyone can learn at any age.
These lesson will, in a methodical way, teach you the skills you need to play piano. The only thing keeping you from reaching your potential is starting lessons. Lessons are geared to your speed of learning and needs.

Phillip is a patient and intelligent teacher who can provide knowledge to musicians at any level or age. 

The lessons were great, I learned a lot thanks!

Philip was a very good teacher. Too bad my lifestyle made it so hard for me to follow through regularly.

Phillip is one of the best online teachers we met.  My kid likes him.  I wish he was living nearby, so my boy could have the in person class.

Philip is an excellent teacher. I’m very happy with my lesson so far.

Phillip is a good and patient teacher and a nice man. He has helped me in my piano education. I look forward to taking more lessons from him

Phillip is very knowledgeable, very skilled and a very good teacher. I feel like I'm in good hands. 

Great first lesson, looking forward to more of the same!

very good instructor gives good tips and is very knowledgeable about all things music.

Phillip did a great job. He was very friendly and helpful. The lesson was very helpful and enjoyable. I look forward to more lessons with Phillip.
Brian

Have you ever been practicing and needed to stop because you needed to give your wrists a break? With the right technique, you can make playing so much easier, and even be more musical and give yourself more control of your fingers. I will have more videos to come showing different techniques you may not have realized were important.

One big change to improve your piano playing

So many hit songs have one thing in common. They all use a simpple 4 chortd progression. While every song doesn't use the same 4 chords, there is one set of chords that trumps all the others for number 1 hits.
Watch this video to find out more.

The Hit Song Progression - 4 Chords

Even at the begining level, learning to use the arm and wrist correctly is important.
There are some easy exercises you can use to work on these techniques. 
This is just one of the steps to being a better pianist and taking care of those fingers.

Arm & Wrist Movement for Better Playing

Music Theory is an essential part of learning to play music. Note values are a part of reading sheet music. 
Note values tell you how long to hold a note when playing.
For more, join me a in a class.

Rhythm and Note Values - First 4 Notes to Learn

Each minor scale has 3 variants. For the D minor scale, the relative major is F Major. 

There is one flat...Bb.

Because of the difficulty of the Minor scale, I am splitting up the one-octave variants into 3 videos and adding one video for all at 2 octaves.

In my 4 videos on this scale you will learn:

1. Natural Minor
2. Harmonic Minor
3. Melodic Minor
4. All 3 played 2 octaves

Piano Scales - D Natural Minor - Learn Minor Scales

Controling fingers is one of the fundamental challenges playing the Piano. 

In this series of videos, I will show you exercises to help you gain better control so you can more easily playing chords and faster passages that are giving you trouble.

Beginner Finger Independence 1 - Get Control of the Fingers

This is a helper video for the class on "Ukrainian Bell Carol." 
I play the piece slow then fast. 
If you would like a copy of the music to this, just come to a class and let me know.

Carol of the Bells - Ukrainian Bell Carol - Helper Video Christmas Tutorial

Jingle Bells has got to be the most well known song of the season. Every child and adult knows this song and sings it every year.
In this video, learn to play a beginner version of the song. If you would like a copy of the sheet music, come to one of my many Christmas Piano classes.

Jingle Bells Beginner Piano - Christmas Tutorial

Silent Night is one of the most well known Christmas Songs ever written. This version will show you all the melody notes with a simple harmony.

For more help and some different arrangements, join one of my many Christmas/Holiday classes through November/December.

Silent Night Beginner Piano

This is just the first in many Christmas/Holiday Tutorials. 

Deck the Halls in a famous old Christmas tune. I'll also be uploading soon a version with harmony.

For a copy of any of the music, join one of my Christmas classes.

Deck the Halls Beginner

Key Signature is an important part of music. It tells you which notes you will play in the piece/song.
It can also give you an idea of what key, or scale, you will be playing in for the music.

This will be a 3 part series explaining key signature.

1 - what is key signature
2 - Finding the key/scale for Major Keys
3 - Finding the key/scale for Minor keys

Key Signature - Part 1 - What is it???

There is lots of music written by classical composers that you would never think of as great for Halloween. 
This one was written by Chopin. It is part of his Sonata in Bb Minor.
I have simplified it to show the first part that is the most famous section.

Phillip F.

Beginner Technique - Finger Control

Phillip's Piano videos

One big change to improve your piano playing

The Hit Song Progression - 4 Chords

Arm & Wrist Movement for Better Playing

Rhythm and Note Values - First 4 Notes to Learn

Piano Scales - D Natural Minor - Learn Minor Scales

Beginner Finger Independence 1 - Get Control of the Fingers

Carol of the Bells - Ukrainian Bell Carol - Helper Video Christmas Tutorial

Jingle Bells Beginner Piano - Christmas Tutorial

Silent Night Beginner Piano

Deck the Halls Beginner

Key Signature - Part 1 - What is it???

Halloween Sounds - Funeral March by Chopin (Simplified)

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