FIX Technical Weakness Using the SYMMETRY Exercise! (Symmetrical Inversion)

[Zhinarkos]

I've been using symmetrical inversion to practice scales for a few months and I think it's the superior way to practice scales compared to the traditional both hands - same direction -approach. Symmetrical inversion isn't a magic pill to fix all issues with touch, balance, accuracy etc. but it definitely offers something a lot of the conventional "apply a specific fix for a specific problem" methods don't. I wholeheartedly recommend it for everyone but especially self-learners who can't afford a teacher to work through their technical problems right now. Just try it, and be very observant like Josh. Play at first - put the movements of the muscles under a microscope.

[TheMarionettePianist]

I so appreciate your transparency. It’s comforting knowing that even you guys with the professional degrees struggle with technique like us mere mortal non-professional pianists

[juanpablorodriguezmartinez]

Lately, your videos have been my primary source of learning. You've helped me a lot, I hope i can afford your full course one day 😅 for now, i have plenty to learn yet from your videos

[noeprim]

You have shared many solutions while practicing pieces. Sharing thoughts is caring for others. 🎹

[rich]

One of the most helpful piano instruction videos I’ve ever seen - on so many levels! Thank you!!!

[carlosazambujayt]

Judge you, Josh?! You mean, PRAISE and THANK you, right? 👏👏👏
Yes, symmetrical training isn't unheard of... But the way you present it makes this one of the most amazing, heartfelt, engaging and useful videos on piano technique!

[ataylorchild]

I've been surprised to find how relaxing it is. It's like working in symmetry disrupts the tension generators in the brain. I've been using it for bits of the Waldstein sonata, and it's an awesome tool to have in the toolbox.

[YiWang_Yvonne]

Thanks for sharing this video! I coincidently watched Hamelin’s tonebase video before, and I realized that you had uploaded a familiar video in your channel, so I went to this! Wow, this skill tip is amazing, what’s more important is that I find that I would prefer to check whether you’ve already updated some videos in the same subject.

Actually this symmetrical inversion skill is not coming out of a stone, I can see this method through Cortot and Brahms fingers exercises, but the more valuable thing is, you got your own way to stretch and extend this topic, which allows the audiences to apply this skill to different situations. I would take some notes in my memo every time I’m watching your videos, and I can re-extend some informations which worked for me. Just like you said in ProPractice lesson with Brahms Op.118 No.2 that do not let performers be the focus point even if you all play the same piece, their own personalities can also grow exponentially, your videos gave me the same feeling: same topic comes from different person’s brain could extend to various thinking, to enlighten people in different way. Thanks for your sharing, I really love it~!
(Forgive my wordy, my English is too bad to express briefly )

[BellyDanceDojo]

The first time I heard about this "technique" was from the great Chick Corea during one of his live streams back in spring 2020 ❤ He called it mirror image and said he'd learned it from Rossomandi's method when he was a young piano student. Very very interesting but honestly i'd kind of put it aside, there are so many stimuli and tips out there you know... so thanks a lot for bringing this topic up and more importantly, for showing very clearly how to practice it in the right way!

[beckywallenborn]

This is brilliant. Thank you so much for both the invaluable information and the encouragement!

[McZeppoLoligo]

Hello Josh! I really like your videos! They are so helpful. I am an adult beginner and used the symmetry exercise for my scale technique. I was astonished to find out that my third finger on right hand scale does a thing similar to yours which was to pull insider after the thumb cross and second finger. So for example in g minor in order to play e flat i had some unnecessary movement. It's that pulling motion that i believe developed due to other piano techniques we have to learn in right hand.

I always felt like my left hand is much more relaxed (even though i cannot play as quickly in left hand compared to right hand) and felt something is off in my right.

You might just gave me a tool to find out what the problem is! :))
I realized that in my left hand the third finger does not pull inwards at all. It just lifts and hovers in a very relaxed state above the black keys, which feels so good that i wish my right hand would be the same. I slowly try to eliminate that pulling motion in right hand. I am still not sure why it developed.
Without symmetry observation i would not have find out about that detail. Thank you! 😊

[lindyl]

Dr Wright, You are one of the best online teachers. And this is an incredible and priceless tip you just selflessly shared with us. Your methodical approach and analysis to piano music and techniques have helped me so much to work on Chopin Ballade 1. Thank you!!!

[gleeb]

thanks for the video. i'll definitely be giving this exercise a try

[jackwilloughby]

For those interested in a more tonal version you can start off with the Index fingers on Db & Eb and then avoid the C & E and just play F's & B's. Or if you want to Explore the 7th Mode of Melodic Minor (Dim/Whole tone Scale) you can just avoid all the F's & B's and play C & E.
One way to solve the Arpeggio In D is to Play the 2nd Inversion in the Right Hand : A, D, F# going up and the Left Hand plays D, A, F# going Down. That one is fun! I'm Sure there are More. The #5 Triad in C is pretty easy to figure out: C, E, Ab Going Up, Ab (1st finger), E, C, going down.
The Mirror Writing of Leonardo DaVinci is a very effective way of Synchronizing both Hemispheres of the Brain. If you ever wanted to learn Spencerian Script or Copperplate, that is the way to go! Counting the Rhythms out Loud (1e&a, 2e&a, 3e&a, 4e&a) works very well too. Good Video Thanks! I've been Puzzling over this for a Long Time and your video Just made it all Pop into my head at Once. If anyone is having trouble with any pain or Stiffness, I highly recommend:
I had to toil for years in landscaping, Carpentry, Environmental Cleanup, etc. and my poor hands took an awful beating. This book helped immensely, and I just turned 66. Cheers, Jack

[Bobowobo]

I swear by symmetrical inversion! So glad to see it on here!

[sebastiansotelo]

Brilliant explanation Josh, as always!! Thanks for sharing

[shawnwilker]

Very interesting. I am anxious to try this.

[ggishallou]

This is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this gold mine info.

[thegreenpianist]

I was literally just talking about this on a recent tonebase video comment section.
This method is almost like magic.
Speaking of tonebase, they've been gaining a lot of steam lately, would ever consider doing work together with them?
Much love to you and your family!

[kwright]

Finally letting your professional guard down and exposing piano vulnerabilities. Now I feel I can learn from you. No one’s going to judge other than makes you a better teacher. Thank you more than you know. Intuitively as a self taught pianist and only grade 4, I do this symmetry and will continue and do it more now I know it helps on so many levels. I always did it to make my left hand better but now I know it can also fix other problems. 😊❤