Piano Ninja Tricks
The Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast is the show for adult classical pianists wanting to play the classical music of their dreams with joy and ease.
Meet your host, Juilliard alum and Piano Ninja, Lisa Spector. She's sharing her treasured tricks honed through years of study with legendary mentors Earl Wild, Leon Fleisher, John Perry and Lillian Kallir.
But here's the remarkable part: Lisa's journey to piano mastery was interrupted after an unexpected fall led to seven complicated right-hand fractures, resulting in four surgeries over several years and a medical professional telling her she'd never play piano again. Her resilience and unique insights will inspire you.
If you're a classical pianist yearning to practice less and play more, you've found your musical oasis.
Dropped every Thursday. Season 2 starts October 24, 2024.
Tune in, and you'll soon discover your inner Piano Ninja!
Episodes
60 episodes
SEASON 2 FINALE: From Practice Frustration to Major Progress!
https://LisaSpector.com/GroundhogRegister 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...
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Season 2
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Episode 56
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9:26
STOP REPEATING MISTAKES: Smarter Practice for Chopin's Revolutionary Étude
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Season 2
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Episode 55
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9:50
Practice Slow to Play Fast
Free Masterclass on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2ndFrom Practice Frustration to Major ProgressRegister here ⬇️https://LisaSpector.com/groundhogMastering the art of slow practice is the key to unlocking precision, speed and musical e...
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Season 2
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Episode 54
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16:46
Quick Piano Ninja Tricks for Instant Progress
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 n...
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Season 2
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Episode 53
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13:08
Two Things I Never Look at in a Music Score—and Why You Shouldn’t Either
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 52
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14:26
Piano Goals Made Easy: Start 2025 With Smart Practice Habits
🎹 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 al...
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Season 2
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Episode 51
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17:12
Beethoven, Trills and Quick Reflexes: Holiday Harmony In Less than 20 Minutes a Day
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 50
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12:07
Micro Practice for Maximum Progress: Holiday Harmony Tips
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, intent...
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Season 2
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Episode 49
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14:34
Holiday Harmony: Focused Practice Tricks for a Stress-Free Season
🎹 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 Li...
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Season 2
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Episode 48
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35:28
Less Is More: Smart Piano Practice for the Holiday Season
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 ca...
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Season 2
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Episode 47
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14:52
Pattern Recognition: The Fast-Track to Piano Proficiency
https://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 acceler...
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Season 2
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Episode 46
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13:05
Music Lessons From My Dog Gina, R.I.P.
https://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 w...
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Season 2
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Episode 45
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13:01
From Amateur to Professional: Piano Tricks for Touch and Timing
Grab my focused practice checklist ⬇️https://lisaspector.com/practiceIn this special election-eve episode of the Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast, host Lisa Spector demonstrates the ...
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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15:27
Halloween Piano Tricks: Bumblebee Style
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-Korsa...
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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10:13
From Nerves to Piano Ninja: Mindset Tricks for Thriving Under Pressure
🎉 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 techniq...
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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10:19
Season Finale: Piano Ninja Tricks for Chopin Nocturne in C minor
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....
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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12:55
My Favorite Chopin in Memory of My Mom Sunday night on YouTube Live
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-cyEgWM
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Season 1
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6:37
From Velvet Keys to Lightning Fingers: The Tricks of Piano Touch
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 appl...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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9:54
BEHIND THE SCENES: Practicing for My All-Chopin Performance on YouTube Live
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 demonst...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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8:58
Effortless Practice: Merging Piano Ninja Tricks
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, E...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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17:20
Celebrating American Composer Amy Beach: Tricks for Soft Inner Voices
Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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19:37
TURNING TRAUMA INTO TRIUMPH: The birth of Piano Ninja Tricks
Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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13:19
Chopin Ninja Tricks Masterclass Highlights
Piano Ninja Tricks Podcast
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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8:38