Month: February 2012

Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Kirsten blog, Shirley Smith Kirsten, spammers, spammers at my blogsite at Word Press, spamming at Word Press, word press, word press.com, wordpress.com

Wacky Spammer posts at my Word Press Piano Blog!

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I routinely DELETE most if not all spam comments posted at my blog site. But a few are worth preserving for their humorous content. Take this one from a supposedly legit piano instructor with a children's music teaching website. She had commented on my "Neighborhood Teacher Lives On" posting: Submitted on 2012/02/04 at 10:47 pm… Continue reading Wacky Spammer posts at my Word Press Piano Blog!

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The Transfer Piano Student

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I would hate to pigeon hole all "transfer" students in one way or another. It would be unfair, and unfortunately many piano teachers shy away from prospects who were immersed in learning environments where little progress was made over a period of years. Some reluctant piano instructors might say, "there's just too much work involved… Continue reading The Transfer Piano Student

Amtral the San Joaquin, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Kirsten blog, shirley s kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, The San Joaquin Amtrak 712, word press, word press.com, wordpress.com

The scenic train route along the Bay in photos

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I lavish any opportunity to capture the seascape along Amtrak 712. "The San Joaquin" is my weekly train that embarks from the Richmond Station (BART connection) and returns me to Fresno, final destination. And there's Sharon, the dining car attendant, who makes the trip up to the Bay, on Amtrak 711, even more enjoyable. Her… Continue reading The scenic train route along the Bay in photos

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Piano Interviews by phone (Don’t copy me)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

It's a rainy day and I'm braced for a shower of criticism. Just consider a few of my piano phone interviews in the private party marketplace. I confess that on occasion, I've undermined my own staunch recommendations to prospective buyers as follows: PLAY THE PIANO UNDER CONSIDERATION! IF YOU LIKE ITS TONE, TOUCH, TIMBRE, GET… Continue reading Piano Interviews by phone (Don’t copy me)

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If this is the Russian Singing Tone School of Piano Teaching, then it’s a Winner! (Videos)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Irina Gorin, a teaching emissary of the Russian pianistic tradition that's produced Richter, Gilels, Ashkenazy and Lugansky to name a few, brings her pedagogical efforts glowingly down to the level of a 4-year old. And it's delightful to watch. Certainly, more entertaining than my cat's bungled keyboard performance last night. Irina would agree that Aiden… Continue reading If this is the Russian Singing Tone School of Piano Teaching, then it’s a Winner! (Videos)

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A Feast of Gillock pieces for Aiden cat (Videos) Big surprise at the end!

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

This feline falls asleep at the drop of a note. What breed of music lover would tune out so fast before a few measures were underway? His history precedes him. During the entire Debussy Arabesque No. 1, he was out cold, except for one detectable ear twitch. Yet he's been known to suddenly spring forward,… Continue reading A Feast of Gillock pieces for Aiden cat (Videos) Big surprise at the end!

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Piano Instruction: A charming, quick-paced piece for late elementary students, titled “Clowns,” by Gillock (VIDEO)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Continuing my tribute to the prolific and talented composer, William Gillock, I've snatched "Clowns" from Volume Two of his Accent on Gillock collection. (published by Willis Music Company) Not to be long-winded about my approach to teaching this sprightly composition, I simply outline a step-wise practicing routine. 1) Since the melody is divided between the… Continue reading Piano Instruction: A charming, quick-paced piece for late elementary students, titled “Clowns,” by Gillock (VIDEO)

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Teaching Gillock’s delightfully appealing, Later Elementary Level music: “The Glass Slipper” (Video)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I have no reservation about the immense teaching value of William Gillock's music from elementary through advanced levels. And while the titles in the first few volumes appeal to children, the pieces can be universally enjoyed by piano students of all ages. In this spirit, I picked out "The Glass Slipper" from Accents on Gillock,… Continue reading Teaching Gillock’s delightfully appealing, Later Elementary Level music: “The Glass Slipper” (Video)

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The piano teacher as conductor–sometimes shaping gestures help a student phrase better (Video)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I couldn't resist an opportunity to conduct my student playing the Bach Invention 13 in A minor today. She's preparing two selections for a competitive Baroque event coming up in two weeks, and the second offering is the Prelude in C minor BWV 847. Claudia, 11, rehearsed the Invention a few times with a few… Continue reading The piano teacher as conductor–sometimes shaping gestures help a student phrase better (Video)

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A Piano Room Photo Portrait, like a Painting

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

As I prowled around my home at 3 a.m. looking down from my staircase, I beheld my Steinway grand piano draped in special lighting that spilled into a portion of my living room. Aiden, my cat, slept peacefully amidst the dim glow, and overall I experienced what I saw as a painting worth capturing on… Continue reading A Piano Room Photo Portrait, like a Painting