Piano Lessons
(New York City)

Piano Lessons cover how to:

• Prepare the body and mind to practice with ease
• Understand the effect of posture on flexibility and expressiveness
• Make efficient use of hands and arms
• Employ listening techniques to improve coordination
• Increase the range of color and dynamics by using less effort
• Cultivate rhythmic vitality
• Perform with confidence, warmth, and freedom

You may begin private piano lessons in one of two basic ways:

1. Ms. Bruser can help you with your current repertoire by working with a variety of techniques to improve your performance.
2. You may pursue a step-by-step approach with either current or new repertoire to develop a thorough understanding and mastery of the approach. This approach is suitable for beginners as well as accomplished pianists.

   Such lessons begin with exploring basic principles of posture and movement at the piano in order to play with maximum physical comfort. A first lesson typically includes work with the optimum height of the bench, easeful spinal alignment, natural hand position, and efficient use of the fingers.

   The work then progresses to free and efficient arm and wrist movement, followed by listening techniques, mental relaxation techniques, and organizing notes into coherent rhythmic groups and phrases.

   Further study includes refining body mechanics and sensory awareness, becoming adept at rhythmic organization, and deepening the practice of mental relaxation in order to develop increasing receptiveness to sound, expressive warmth, and artistic brilliance.

Whether you are a beginner or a professional, even a few simple changes in how you sit at the piano and how you use your hands and arms can make a world of difference in how you feel and how the music sounds.

Keeping fingers raised above the keys while other fingers are playing requires unnecessary effort from the muscles in the forearm. The excess tension spreads throughout the hand, inhibiting speed and expressiveness.

Letting fingers rest on the keys when they are not playing minimizes tension in the hand and forearm, which increases ease and improves tone quality.

"Madeline Bruser has changed my life as a musician. After earning a master's degree in piano performance from a major conservatory, I struggled for years with debilitating performance anxiety and frustration. Her teaching has enabled me to recapture my earlier love and enthusiasm for music and performing, and to raise the level of my playing to an astonishing degree. She has provided an oasis for my musical struggles." Timothy Mueller, pianist, graduate of Eastman School of Music

"The techniques Madeline teaches are magical. I have better tone and a kind of clarity that is beyond anything I'd ever imagined. I didn't realize that I could still make this kind of transformation and progress." Tang-Mei Shieh, pianist, graduate of Manhattan School of Music

"I started studying with Madeline Bruser after a performance-related injury. Almost immediately, my whole physical approach to the piano became lighter and freer, and I could play again without aggravating the injury. Even more importantly, my mental and emotional attitudes have improved - I have been enjoying practicing again!" Catherine Ricardo, pianist and teacher

"Madeline is exceptional because she understands both playing and teaching on a profound level. And her warm and generous nature allows for an atmosphere in which my creativity and understanding have flourished." James Tolley, student