Piano Ninja Tricks podcast

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Send us a text https://LisaSpector.com/Groundhog Register for the Masterclass. Free through Feb. 7. ⬆️ Welcome to the last episode of Season 2 of the Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast! 🎧✨ In this special episode, I’m taking you inside a YouTube Live Masterclass where we tackled one of the biggest struggles pianists face—feeling stuck in slow progress. If you've ever repeated the same passages over and over with little improvement, this is for you! I’ll introduce you to Piano Ninja Tricks designed to help you: ✅ Develop smart practice habits ✅ Gain confidence and ease at the piano ✅ Play with intention rather than mindless repetition ✅ Remember your “why”—what first inspired you to play Plus, I share a personal story about how I fell in love with the piano as a child and the powerful role warm-up pieces play in making music from the heart. 🎶💙 🌟 Watch the full masterclass recording (for a limited time!) 📺 ➡️ lisaspector.com/groundhog Feeling stuck? Frustrated that your practice isn’t paying off? Tired of guessing what to play and how to improve? Imagine sitting at the piano with total clarity—knowing exactly what to practice, how to practice and making real progress while enjoying the process. Join the Piano Ninja Tricksters Club and connect with a supportive community of pianists who “get you.” No more wasted practice—just confidence, structure and real results playing the music of your dreams. You don’t have to do it alone. 🎼 Welcoming new members to the Piano Ninja Tricksters Club through Feb. 6. Learn more ➡️ https://LisaSpector.com/membership 🎼 Join the Piano Ninja Tricksters Club! We close Feb 6 and there will be a price increase the next time we open. 👀 Season 3 Preview: I’ll be back in about six weeks with fresh new content and exciting surprises for Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast Season 3! Stay tuned! 🎉 Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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STOP REPEATING MISTAKES: Smarter Practice for Chopin's Revolutionary Étude 9:50

acum 5 weeks9:50

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Send us a text https://lisaspector.com/groundhog Is your piano practice is stuck on repeat—practicing the same sections over and over with little to no progress? 🔁 You're not alone! In this episode, I bring you into my live, sold-out performance of Chopin’s Revolutionary Étude and share the smart practice tricks I used to prepare for it. 🎹 Featured in This Episode: 🎶 Live performance of Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude 🎶 How I overcame challenges post-hand injury to play this piece again 🎶 Essential Piano Ninja Tricks to avoid Groundhog Day practicing 🛑 Stop Repetitive, Ineffective Practice! Join my FREE Groundhog Day Masterclass this Sunday, February 2nd and learn how to make faster, smarter progress at the piano. 📅 Register Here → https://lisaspector.com/groundhog 📍 When? Sunday, February 2nd @ 12 PM PT | 3 PM ET | 9 PM CET 🎟️ VIP Access ($10): Get my scores, an exclusive Q&A and a virtual green room meet-up! Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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Practice Slow to Play Fast 16:46

acum 6 weeks16:46

16:46

Send us a text Free Masterclass on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2nd From Practice Frustration to Major Progress Register here ⬇️ https://LisaSpector.com/groundhog Mastering the art of slow practice is the key to unlocking precision, speed and musical expression in your playing. In this episode, I discuss why slowing down is essential for learning challenging pieces, how to incorporate under tempo and under dynamics into your daily practice and ways to keep it engaging. Opening music from Coda of Chopin 3rd Scherzo Demonstrations from Chopin 3rd Scherzo Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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Quick Piano Ninja Tricks for Instant Progress 13:08

acum 7 weeks13:08

13:08

Send us a text Welcome to another episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast! I’m Lisa Spector, here to make your piano practice easier and more effective so you can play and feel like a true piano ninja. In this episode: 🐾 Meet Sundance, my new 1.5-year-old yellow lab who’s bringing joy to my life and recordings! 🔥 Learn about my initiative to support musicians affected by the Los Angeles fires through MusiCares. 🎵 Discover two quick, actionable Piano Ninja Tricks for mastering challenging passages and voicing. 📅 Don’t miss these exciting events: Groundhog Day Masterclass : Transform practice frustration into progress (Feb 2). Co-Practice Sessions on YouTube Live : Stay focused and motivated with live community practice. https://www.youtube.com/@LisaSpector/streams 👉 https://LisaSpector.com/shop to support musicians in LA affected by the firest via https://MusiCares.org 👉 https://LisaSpector.com/fingeringchecklist for Piano Ninja Fingering 🎵 Episode closes with Godowsky’s one-handed arrangement of Chopin’s Aeolian Étude. Subscribe and join the journey to become a Piano Ninja! Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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Two Things I Never Look at in a Music Score—and Why You Shouldn’t Either 14:26

acum 8 weeks14:26

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Send us a text Discover why some score markings—like editor's fingering and pedal markings—are better ignored! Join Lisa Spector, your Piano Ninja, as she shares her top tips for choosing efficient, personalized fingering and using the pedal as a "dimmer switch" rather than an on/off button. Learn how to make piano playing easier and more natural, whether you're tackling Beethoven, Chopin, or Debussy. Plus, grab Lisa's free Piano Ninja Fingering Checklist to master your technique! 🎹 Visit https://LisaSpector.com/fingeringchecklist Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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Piano Goals Made Easy: Start 2025 With Smart Practice Habits 17:12

acum 9 weeks17:12

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Send us a text 🎹 Welcome to 2025 with the Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast! 🎉 In this special 51st episode, Lisa Spector introduces her new four-legged companion, Sundance, a 17-month-old career-change dog from Guide Dogs for the Blind. Sundance is already learning the art of settling during piano practice! 🐾 Lisa dives into essential strategies for setting achievable, measurable, and specific goals for the new year and discusses how habit-building is the key to success. Learn about the free checklist she’s created to help pianists master efficient fingering techniques that make playing smoother and easier. She also answers listener questions, offering tips on: 🎼 Studying music scores effectively. 🎵 Recovering quickly when accompanying other musicians. 🎶 Whether to prioritize dynamics when learning a new piece. Ready to make 2025 your best piano year yet? Tune in, grab your free piano fingering checklist at https://LisaSpector.com/FingeringChecklist if you want to save time and play with ease using efficient Piano Ninja fingering! Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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Beethoven, Trills and Quick Reflexes: Holiday Harmony In Less than 20 Minutes a Day 12:07

acum 11 weeks12:07

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Send us a text In this milestone 50th episode, I share practical Piano Ninja tips to help you make major progress with minimal practice during the holiday season. 🎹 We’re halfway through the free Holiday Harmony Challenge, but there’s still time to join! These quick, 2-minute daily audio prompts will guide you through stress-free and efficient practice habits. Plus, I celebrate Beethoven’s 254th birthday with a mini-performance and a behind-the-scenes look at my favorite Ninja tricks for mastering tricky passages. Highlights: 🎄 Holiday Harmony Challenge details (sign up here: https://lisaspector.com/harmony) 🎶 Tips for practicing away from the piano 🎹 Quick reflex motion, cyclical rhythm, and clean staccato techniques 🎵 Why crescendos can transform your trills Let’s celebrate this milestone episode by taking your playing to the next level—while keeping the holidays harmonious and joyful! Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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Micro Practice for Maximum Progress: Holiday Harmony Tips 14:34

acum 12 weeks14:34

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Send us a text Join Lisa Spector, the Piano Ninja, as she explores how focused micro-practice sessions can lead to faster progress at the piano. Inspired by her upcoming 12 Days of Holiday Harmony Challenge (Dec. 12–23), Lisa explains why short, intentional practice is scientifically proven to be more effective—and shares actionable tips for making the most of your time at the keys. Discover: 🎵 The power of 20-minute focused practice sessions 🎵 How Piano Ninja Tricks like cyclical rhythm and quick reflex motion can transform your playing. 🎵 An inspiring story of adult learner David, who mastered Bach by slowing down Don’t forget to sign up for the free Holiday Harmony Challenge at lisaspector.com/harmony to bring joy, productivity and calm to your holiday season. We start Dec. 12 and you'll only need two minutes a day until Dec. 23 to listen to the practice prompts that help you minimize your practice time to achieve maximum progress. 🎧 Tune in and de-stress your holiday season! Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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Holiday Harmony: Focused Practice Tricks for a Stress-Free Season 35:28

acum 13 weeks35:28

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Send us a text 🎹 Celebrate International Ninja Day with a Special Episode! 🎹 Feeling the holiday rush? Discover how to create harmony—both at the piano and in your life—through focused, efficient practice sessions. In this YouTube Live episode, Lisa Spector, your Piano Ninja, shares tips to help you maximize your practice time during the busiest season of the year. Learn how shorter, intentional practice sessions can lead to greater progress, reduce stress, and keep your music thriving through the holidays. Plus, stay tuned for a sneak peek into the Holiday Harmony: 20-Minute Piano Practice Challenge and live Q&A with our engaged audience! 👉 Join the Holiday Harmony Challenge here 🎄 Let’s make this holiday season as harmonious as it is festive! 🎄 Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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Less Is More: Smart Piano Practice for the Holiday Season 14:52

acum 14 weeks14:52

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Send us a text The holiday season is here, and your piano practice time might feel squeezed. But don’t worry! In this episode, Lisa Spector shares actionable tips to help you accomplish more in less time . ✔ Discover how short, focused sessions can transform your playing ✔ Avoid brain fatigue and eliminate poor practice habits ✔ Master essential techniques like cyclical rhythm , fingering, and pedaling Special Event! 🎉 Celebrate International Ninja Day with us on December 5 ! Lisa will go live on YouTube to share even more time-saving strategies and kick off the “Less Is More” Holiday Challenge. 👉 Download the free checklist to make an hour's progress in just 20 minutes: https://LisaSpector.com/practice 🎧 Tune in for game-changing practice tips, and let Lisa help you sound and feel like a Piano Ninja—no matter how busy your holidays are! Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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Pattern Recognition: The Fast-Track to Piano Proficiency 13:05

acum 15 weeks13:05

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Send us a text https://LisaSpector.com/BlackFridayWaitlist This 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 practice time, enhance your technique and make learning music quicker and more enjoyable. Plus, hear about exclusive Black & White Friday deals and Lisa’s upcoming free YouTube Masterclass on Piano Ninja Tricks for Time Management. Don’t miss this value-packed episode! Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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Music Lessons From My Dog Gina, R.I.P. 13:01

acum 16 weeks13:01

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Send us a text https://LisaSpector/BlackFridayWaitlist Welcome 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 music helped develop a deeper heart connection with Gina. Whether you're facing grief or everyday stress, I hope this music brings you peace. I also share the invaluable lessons Gina imparted that resonate in life and music alike and how they'll help make your practice time more productive. Let’s celebrate her spirit together. Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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From Amateur to Professional: Piano Tricks for Touch and Timing 15:27

acum 17 weeks15:27

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Send us a text Grab my focused practice checklist ⬇️ https://lisaspector.com/practice In 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. Using examples from Marcello's Concerto Adagio arranged for piano by Earl Wild, Schubert’s G Major Sonata and Chopin’s C Minor Nocturne, Lisa guides listeners through tricks to refine their touch and maintain a steady inner pulse, helping pianists sound like a professional. This episode provides valuable insights to make your practice more effective and your playing more professional. Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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Halloween Piano Tricks: Bumblebee Style 10:13

acum 18 weeks10:13

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Send us a text Happy 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 any pianist with fast fingerwork. Join the free Piano Practice Collective where five renowned instructors share their one-minute tips for faster piano progress, plus a bonus mindset tip from a professional symphony bassoonist. https://LisaSpector.com/QuickWins Music opening and closing played by Lisa Spector Instagram IG Broadcast Channel YouTube Focused 20-Minute Practice Checklist Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Website Podcast Art by Cindy Wyckoff at Design It Digital…

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From Nerves to Piano Ninja: Mindset Tricks for Thriving Under Pressure 10:19

acum 19 weeks10:19