Episodes
Send us a texthttps://LisaSpector.com/BlackFridayWaitlistThis Black (& White) Friday week, discover the ultimate piano productivity boost. Learn twice as much at half the price! Discover how recognizing patterns in your music can accelerate your learning process exponentially. In this episode, Lisa Spector, Your Piano Ninja, breaks down the importance of pattern recognition and demonstrates its application in works by Mozart and Chopin. Learn how identifying patterns can save you pra...
Published 11/21/24
Published 11/21/24
Send us a texthttps://LisaSpector/BlackFridayWaitlistWelcome to a special and deeply personal episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks podcast. This week, I’m stepping away from the usual format to remember my beloved black Lab, Gina, who passed away this week at 15 and a half years old. Gina was my agility champion partner, my devoted companion and a familiar presence during my YouTube sessions. In her memory, I play a poignant piece by Belarusian composer Skulta and will share how the sublime...
Published 11/15/24
Send us a textGrab my focused practice checklist ⬇️https://lisaspector.com/practiceIn this special election-eve episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast, host Lisa Spector demonstrates the subtle but vital differences that set professional pianists apart from amateurs: inner pulse and touch. Amid the uncertainty and stress of the moment, Lisa shares music that calms and centers, sharing the importance of an internal pulse and how the speed of pressing the keys impacts dynamics and control. U...
Published 11/07/24
Send us a textHappy Halloween from me and my bumblebee sidekick, Gina! 🐝 🐶Today’s Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast episode features a quick dive into fast, efficient fingerwork and musical expression. Playing in my bumblebee costume, I perform Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee and share tricks to tackle challenging, quick passages. From keeping fingers close to the keys for light, efficient movement to my trick of practicing sections “backwards” for better retention, these tricks can help a...
Published 10/31/24
Send us a text🎉 Season 2 of the Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast is here! I’m Lisa Spector, your Juilliard Alum Piano Ninja, helping adult classical pianists play with more joy and ease. This season, in addition to Piano Ninja Tricks that help your technique and musicianship, we’re also focusing on mindset mastery, because every great performance starts in the mind.In the 1st episode of Season 2, I’m sharing powerful tricks to turn performance anxiety into excitement, inspired by my recent session ...
Published 10/24/24
Send us a Text Message.In this closing episode of Season 1 of the Piano Ninja Tricks podcast, join your host Lisa Spector, The Piano Ninja, as she shares Piano Ninja Tricks from her recent all-Chopin YouTube Live concert. Lisa shares Chopin's Nocturne in C Minor, Op. 48 No. 1 as performed in her recent All Chopin program on YouTube Live. WATCH THE FULL CHOPIN PROGRAM ON YOUTUBE HERE ⬇️https://www.youtube.com/live/E92z-cyEgWMListen in to discover specific piano ninja tricks highlighted du...
Published 08/08/24
Send us a Text Message.Quick bonus episode to invite you to My Favorite Chopin Sunday night on YouTube Live in memory of my mom.https://www.youtube.com/live/E92z-cyEgWMAdd to your calendar of choice here. 👍 Sunday, August 4TIME 5 pm PT / 8 pm ETMy mother and I shared a deep love for the music of Chopin. In Trudy's memory, you're invited to "MY FAVORITE CHOPIN: A Night of Romantic Elegance" As I immerse myself in the sublime beauty of Chopin's masterpieces, featuring a selection of Scherz...
Published 08/03/24
Send us a Text Message.Welcome to the 40th episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast! This episode is all about the tricks of touch. Play into the keys? Pull up the keys? When? Why? How?Learn the art of touch and knowing when, why and how to apply specific touches can make you sound like a Piano Ninja!Join me as I prepare to perform My Favorite Chopin in a YouTube Live concert in memory of my mom, a passionate lover of Chopin. This concert will feature a selection of my favorite Cho...
Published 07/25/24
Send us a Text Message.This week, I’m sharing my preparations for an upcoming all-Chopin concert on YouTube Live, happening Sunday night, July 28th. Etudes, nocturnes, scherzi and mazurkas... oh my!https://www.youtube.com/live/E92z-cyEgWMI’ll also demonstrate the more subtle use of my Quick Reflex Motion Trick with Chopin’s Ocean Etude, showing you how to practice smart and effeciently. Tune in to get inspired, learn new piano tricks, and elevate your piano playing!Plus, hear all about my exc...
Published 07/18/24
Send us a Text Message.In this episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks podcast, Lisa Spector shares her latest adventures in the world of piano. Lisa talks about her recent YouTube Live performances, including a special American music concert featuring works by Gershwin, Earl Wilde, Zach Gulaboff Davis and Amy Beach. She introduces her new YouTube Live series, "Piano Practice in PJs," and demonstrates how she applies multiple Piano Ninja Tricks while practicing Chopin’s Third Scherzo. Lisa off...
Published 07/11/24
Send us a Text Message. Piano Ninja Tricks Podcasthttps://LisaSpector.comAs we celebrate the July 4th holiday week, I invite you to join me for a special YouTube Live event, "Red, White, and Rhapsody in Blue," on Sunday night. I'll be playing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, the enchanting Dreaming of Amy Beach, and virtuoso etudes by my Juilliard professor Earl Wild, including a left-hand-only arrangement of Gershwin's "The Man I Love."Sunday, July 7 at 5 Pacific / 8 Easternhttps://www.you...
Published 07/06/24
Send us a Text Message. Piano Ninja Tricks Podcasthttps://LisaSpector.comIn this heartfelt episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks podcast, Lisa Spector reflects on the significance of June 27th, 2017 in her life — both the worst and best day. She shares her journey of overcoming a severe hand injury, her transformative experience with recovery, and how it led to the creation of the Piano Ninja Tricks. Lisa also invites listeners to two exciting upcoming events.The Dog Gone Calm Fireworks Pre...
Published 07/06/24
Send us a Text Message. Piano Ninja Tricks Podcasthttps://ChopinDemo.LisaSpector.comThis week has been exhilarating as I hosted a Chopin Ninja Tricks masterclass for the Piano Ninja Tricksters club and invited guests. If you missed it, don't worry! You can still access the replay for a limited time by registering for free. https://ChopinDemo.LisaSpector.comIn this episode, I'm sharing a six-minute segment from the masterclass where I demonstrate Chopin Ninja Tricks using the middle secti...
Published 07/06/24
Send us a Text Message. Piano Ninja Tricks Podcasthttps://chopindemo.lisaspector.com/Welcome to another episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks podcast! I'm Lisa Spector, Your Piano Ninja, here to make everything easier for you at the piano. This episode is all about Chopin, and I'm eager to share some of my special "Chopin Ninja Tricks" with you. Whether you're a member of my Piano Ninja Tricksters Club or just joining us for the first time, you'll find valuable tips to improve your Chopin p...
Published 07/06/24
Send us a Text Message. Piano Ninja Tricks PodcastIn this special episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks podcast, Lisa Spector dons her "dog clothes" to celebrate a milestone birthday for her beloved Labrador, Gina, who's celebrating her 15th birthday today! Also known as the Pet Calming Maestro, Lisa shares her unique journey of recording music for canine anxiety alongside her piano ninja adventures. Tune in to hear about Gina's remarkable life, enjoy a special music piece arranged for dogs,...
Published 07/06/24
Send us a Text Message. Piano Ninja Tricks Podcasthttps://lisaspector.com/practiceIn this episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks podcast, Lisa Spector shares her secrets to turning a 20-minute practice session into an hour's worth of productivity. Learn how intentional, focused practice can help you achieve more in less time, avoid poor practice habits and enhance your piano skills efficiently. Plus, hear about Lisa’s personal experience recovering from a shoulder fracture and how it transfo...
Published 07/06/24
Send us a Text Message.Piano Ninja Tricks Podcasthttps://lisaspector.com/piano-ninja-m...In episode 31 of the Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast, Lisa Spector discusses the importance of staying in your own lane. Don't compare yourself to other pianists and don't compare yourself to who you used to be. Deeply listening to the music you're playing helps you stay present and ignore the gremlins in your mind.NEW: Piano Ninja Mindset Tricks Daily audio boosts are available to you to help you master ...
Published 07/06/24
Send us a Text Message. Piano Ninja Tricks Podcasthttps://LisaSpector.comIn this episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks podcast, Lisa Spector, Your Piano Ninja, shares practical piano techniques to help you become a piano ninja. Lisa discusses her upcoming Chopin masterclass series starting in the first week of June. Sign up at PianoNinjaTricks.com to receive her exclusive piano fingering tricks and stay updated. She also reveals a new opportunity to work with her for less than $5 a month, wh...
Published 07/06/24
Send us a Text Message. Piano Ninja Tricks Podcasthttps://LisaSpector.comIn this special episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks podcast, host Lisa Spector takes a departure from her usual piano teachings to share a deeply personal and touching experience. Donning her pajamas instead of her ninja outfit, Lisa opens up about her journey through grief during National Mental Health Awareness Month, following the loss of her mother. Through heartfelt anecdotes and impromptu piano performances, she...
Published 07/06/24
Send us a Text Message. Piano Ninja Tricks Podcasthttps://LisaSpector.com/ProkofievJoin Lisa Spector on a transformative 10-day challenge as she navigates the complexities of Prokofiev's cadenza, offering practical tips and demonstrating the art of efficient practice with her Piano Ninja Tricks. In this episode, she's playing the final version at Day 10. But, she's also opening the curtains to her practice room where you can enjoy and learn from her short practice sessions and hear the ...
Published 07/06/24
Send us a Text Message. Piano Ninja Tricks Podcasthttps://LisaSpector.comIn this episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks podcast, Lisa Spector shares the importance of cultivating smart practice habits to achieve piano success. Drawing from her own experiences and expertise, she highlights the transformative power of practicing smart, making everything from learning new pieces to mastering difficult sections feel effortless. Lisa shares valuable insights into her own practice routines and demo...
Published 07/06/24
Send us a Text Message.https://lisaspector.com/pianotricks/Welcome to another episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks podcast with your host Lisa Spector. In this episode, Lisa shares highlights from her recent virtual Piano Ninja Tricks Mini-Course, recorded on World Piano Day.Lisa reflects on the importance of mindset in piano playing and offers valuable insights for pianists looking to overcome frustration and enhance their skills. Throughout the episode, Lisa encourages pianists to fo...
Published 07/06/24
Send us a Text Message.Piano Ninja Tricks Podcasthttps://lisaspector.com/Welcome to Episode 25 of the Piano and Tricks Podcast! In this episode, your host Lisa Spector, aka the Piano Ninja, delves into the fascinating world of piano pedaling just in time for World Piano Day.... the 88th day of the year, March 28, 2024. Lisa begins by recounting a personal anecdote from her childhood piano lessons and how her perception of pedal criticism shifted over the years. She emphasizes the importance o...
Published 07/06/24
Send us a Text Message.Piano Ninja Tricks Podcasthttps://lisaspector.com/pianotricks/Register for the World Piano Day Celebration starting on March 28th! A Live Virtual Piano Ninja Tricks Mini-Course ending with a finale Concert on March 31 for one and two hands. Join host Lisa Spector as she unveils the intricacies of voicing in the stunning "Kind im Einschlummern" (Child Slumbering) from Schumann's Kinderscenen, drawing parallels to the techniques employed in Bach's compositions. Through in...
Published 07/06/24