Group 1
Welcome to the NEW TWO WEEK INTENSIVE on tonebase!
Improving your Scales with Dominic Cheli
We will be working on different techniques on building speed, virtuosity, and confidence in our scales with assignments posted by Dominic!
Post your progress with videos and written commentary on how things are going for you!
- Course Period: May 13 - 25
- Class Size: ALL are welcome!
- Optional check-In via Zoom: May 22 at 11am PT
- ZOOM MEETING LINK:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87650346065?pwd=iNGsfHMSqMVopfHw3bnxalYfaDuwpe.1
Assignment #1
In this assignment Dominic discusses "grouping practice" for your scales. This is a great way to increase your speed, finger control and independence.
- Choose a scale to work on (could be C major, or a relevant scale from your repertoire)
- Let's work on "2 note groupings"
- Start slow, start hands separate, and increase to 4 octave scales with both hands together
- IMPORTANT: Remember to keep the proper fingering at all times for the scale! (The Standard fingering found in any technique book, or in your decided fingering for a scale passage).
- Between each grouping, take as much time as you like, and focus on fast movements
- If a group poses trouble, stop and work on that specific part of the scale!
Assignment #2
1. Focus on your thumb and (optional) take a video of it!
2. Choose a passage to apply grouping practice to, and share why!
3. Make sure to focus on your scales and practice hands separately, even just polishing/perfecting a few groups! Don't need to complete the whole scale!
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This morning I decided to relook at Dominic’s video, and go back to square one. Refresh as I call it. I know I am not doing it correctly. Later today I am going to try to go slower, and relax. Back to baby steps. Yesterday, I also played for fun so that I could take a break from practicing to prevent frustration. Have a great day everyone.
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Yay, my first ever tonebase recording!
As of now I still practice my hands separately. The speed is so different and I feel not secure enough in the fingering. The biggest challenge for me are the rotations, especially with the 4th finger. If they fall on a break I try not to prepare them, but wiggle my wrists a bit to anticipate the movement. Happy about any suggestions on how to improve this and not have such haphazard dynamics (the thump after rotation) Maybe I need to slow it down?
Right Hand
https://youtu.be/1Sh2BLp3v2Q?si=RnLB7-BRVs-oEZGJ
Left Hand
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Nadja Nicely done! I like how lightly you play.
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Michelle R Thank you, Michelle!
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Nadja Looks on track, and with an injured finger. I hope that doesn't hurt! Your hands do look very relaxed. I like the lack of tension.
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Josh Miller Thanks, it didn‘t, just needed a band aid. It is off now, but my left hand still only marginally „faster“
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Nadja Looking good! great that you stop and work on the groups that you are weaker on.
Try and keep that lightness of touch and continue trying to build fast sprints, consider working on less octaves and try to push the speed even faster!
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Dominic Cheli Thank you for your feedback, Dominic, I will do just that. This TWI was really helpful for me and I will apply this to the other scales and any fast runs I encounter.
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Hi! This is my very first YT video, too. Teammates, you inspire me
It feels like presenting to piano teacher. I should record myself more often 
Thank you Michelle R
Now …-
Sachi Hi Sachi! Your video is listed as "private," so I can't view it. If you go back and set it to "unlisted" then we'll be able to see it. I look forward to viewing your progress.
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Sachi yay! There it is! You move so crisply. Great work.
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Sachi great job.
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Michelle R Thank you for watching :) I need to learn to release tension between each groupings. I`m working on groupings to become quiet and effortless, as one movement. Pause between groupings, it seems Dominic Cheli let whole arms move closer to fall board, as results of accelerations. I get crumsy spesially in descending scales.
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Bernice vonSaleski Thank you!
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Sachi This looks super smooth! I like how your hands are floating above the keys.
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Sachi Nice! you can wait more on the starting note but the speed is there! Liking the crispness. Wait longer on starting note and maybe try to let fingers lightly fly even more :)
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Dominic Cheli Thank you! It’s interesting that staying on the first note longer is the issue for the most of us. And I’m aware now!
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Better than yesterday. Rewatching Dominic helped, and also others in Group 1. Having trouble descending. Remembering to slow down, hands a part, being cognizant of correct fingering, relax in front of video camera, and trying to put hands together. This is my second video.
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Bernice vonSaleski Great concentration, Bernice! This sounds smoother than your first video. Nice work.
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Michelle R thank you. I appreciate the feedback.
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Bernice vonSaleski that was great. One suggestion would be to keep the speedy notes to 3 consistently, stopping on the 4th each time. Sometimes I heard
C<pause>D,E,F<pause>G<pause>A,B,C,D<pause>
try instead
C<pause>D,E,F<pause>G,A,B<pause>C,D,E<pause>
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Bernice vonSaleski that is a lot of improvement from your last video. Agree with josh on consistency. Try not to lift your wrist up and down too much, especially your right hand. Great work!!
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Josh , thank you. I will try that this afternoon. I appreciate your observation and expertise. Bernice
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rebecca LAM , thank you for your advice. I will try that this afternoon. Bernice
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Bernice vonSaleski Looking better! Considering waiting longer on the start notes! Will give you more time to prepare that fast sprint!
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