Learning a J.S Bach Sinfonia from the ground up (F Major, BWV 794)

On to three voice counterpoint, following a two-dimensional Bach Invention journey in the company of several piano students. So why not open the door to my private practice room for a layered learning sample a trois. I'm no different than those I teach. The double standard does not exist for those of us who embark…

Beth Levin, pianist, surfaces from one of my past lives

A subscriber to my Facebook page planted a blurry memory of herself when she complimented my blog in a private message. The name rang familiar, but I couldn't precisely place it. At first glance, I knew she was a reputable musician with a stash of impressive You Tubes but beyond that, my memory faded. A…

Romantic era piano repertoire: A murmuring stream and the supple wrist (Burgmuller creates beauty from simplicity)

"The Clear Stream" from Friedrich Burgmuller's Twenty-Five Progressive Pieces offers a student an opportunity to create limpidly beautiful phrases from unraveled broken chords spun out in triplets. In order to create the "mormorando" (murmuring effect) in the treble, it's best to first block out the "chord" patterns with a "spongy" wrist in slow motion before…

The Berkeley Rose Garden draped in photos and music

Today was my maiden journey to the paradise of Roses in Berkeley. No words can amply describe the effect such beauty had upon me. (Taking pictures was irresistible) Burgmuller's "Tender Flower" was the perfect musical framing. http://youtu.be/Som4mPzd9sc P.S. I made a passing cameo appearance amidst the heavenly, terraced bouquets LINK to FB Photo Album https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200446952169541.1073741827.1628726576&type=1&l=109128a237…

The best seat in the house (concert hall) with a treasured companion

I met 80-plus, sparkling Sonya recently at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, and discovered that her son, Renato, graduated Oberlin-- small world. It wasn't long before my new-found friend invited me to join her as a choir concert companion to Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus. It was my first formal musical touchdown post Bezerkeley…

“Jerusalem of Gold” led me to a violin treasure

Yesterday, I decided to record Nemer's "Jerusalem of Gold" to prepare for a luncheon appearance at an East Bay Jewish Community Center. http://youtu.be/wBjvDRmJgDE Little did I know that after reviewing my you tube upload, that I'd spot a right column of videos with Ida Haendel, a near 90-year old violinist who proved to be a…

A Tribute to traveling piano teachers

I'm lucky that for decades I've been a stationary piano teacher, home-based for Skype, but having two youngsters whom I teach at their house up in the El Cerrito Hills. Fortunately, I get chauffeured to and from the location so I don't have to schlep to Bart, or burn up gasoline in my non-existent car.…

“Flamenco” by Gillock is a winner! (Intermediate Level piano repertoire)

Over the years, Gillock's music has sparked the enthusiasm of piano students who sometimes need a kick start piece to lift them out of a rut. "Flamenco" can be such a game changer! For Fritz, age 9, who's infatuated with baseball and soccer, the sheer energy of this character piece, draws him to the piano…

Advice for teaching piano students about dynamics and phrasing

This was the hallmark topic at a Linked-in piano forum board, with many piano teachers chiming in with great suggestions. For me, singing beside a student or nudging him/her to join in is always helpful. I focus on shaping phrases in this way while also enlisting conducting motions. Finally, insights into how harmonic rhythm or…

A Love story born of flowers and set to the music of Bela Bartok

It was my birthday a few days ago, and I was blessed with the gift of flowers and a plant from two close friends. These sit side-by-side atop my upright piano: Little did I know that "Roy" who delivered the tulips to my doorstep had quite a story to share about how he met his…