The latest piano forum quandary surrounds daily practicing. Parents are wringing their hands as teachers impart the latest advice of the week. Even adult students are plagued by "shoulds" and perfect routes to success, planted in their psyche in early childhood. They'll cancel their own lessons if they didn't get to the piano every day.… Continue reading Piano Lessons: “My kids don’t practice so what can I do about it?”
Month: January 2014
Rolling wrist motions, “Circle Dance,” and adult “elementary” students
A few of my adult students who have returned to the piano after a long hiatus, are pleased to re-orient themselves to the instrument via five-finger position pieces. These cannot be dismissed handily as play by finger number journeys. In fact, the larger pedagogical value of selected repertoire is substantial. In "Circle Dance" by Ferdinand… Continue reading Rolling wrist motions, “Circle Dance,” and adult “elementary” students
Everyone’s obsessed with the fall-off in piano students
I evade the firing squad at any number of piano ped. forums by sticking to my guns. I say, in some parts of the world there may be a strong Classical music tradition bound up with a formidable work ethic. In remote parts of Romania, for example, and into the hills of Slavic countries, the… Continue reading Everyone’s obsessed with the fall-off in piano students
The neighborhood piano teacher lives on….
This was one of my favorite posts. And it applied to my many teaching venues, including California’s Central Valley where I taught for years after leaving hometown NYC.. Finally in Berkeley, the “neighborhood” phenomenon is REAL and influential when choosing a piano teacher.
Well into the Millennium, the “neighborhood” piano teacher owns a special “place” in our hearts! Amidst countless telephone and web driven lesson inquiries, her location will always be a top priority. “So where do you live?” (Not how do you teach?)
In the Bay area, one can be sure that Richmond and Oakland are off the map. Even Richmond Annex is considered a dark alley to be avoided. What’s going on? How about Richmond Point, a snazzy enclave with homes worth millions?
Sorry, but it’s still “Richmond.”
Oakland has so many quaint streets and neighborhoods. OOPs did I say “neighborhoods,” an ugly label that’s fast becoming a stigma for so many fine piano teachers who’ve carved their sterling reputations over decades but refuse to leave their time-honored homes on the edge of town.
The same prejudice applies to Fresno, but in a different way. Well, not exactly. West Fresno is…
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Tchaikovsky’s “Harmonica Player” fits snugly between a Song and Dance
When I first stumbled upon "The Harmonic Player," No. 12, from Tchaikovsky's Op. 39 Children's Album, my first thought was, "Why on earth did the great composer include such tirelessly redundant music with an unimaginative harmonic scheme and belabored melody." For certain, as a stand-alone, it could be easily passed over--- dismissed as a throwaway… Continue reading Tchaikovsky’s “Harmonica Player” fits snugly between a Song and Dance
Tchaikovsky’s “Mama” gives double messages
"Mama" is a lyrically spun out tableau evoking the endearing, universally loving mother, but as many can attest, moms may often send out double messages. In Tchaikovsky's Op. 39, Children's Album, MAMA has number 4 status among 24 beautifully descriptive pieces, and with its remarkable dualism, in parallel tenths between the soprano (top line) and… Continue reading Tchaikovsky’s “Mama” gives double messages
Piano Instruction: On the way to Velocity, doing the groundwork (Video)
When faced with a composition in Presto tempo, it's best to practice slowly, preferably separate hands, (at first) to secure a good fingering, understand HARMONIC flow (or progressions) and piece out the phrasing, that encompasses articulation and dynamics. In my own baby-step maiden journey this evening through Tchaikovsky's "Baba Yaga" (The Witch), Op. 39, No.… Continue reading Piano Instruction: On the way to Velocity, doing the groundwork (Video)
Sculpting melodic lines over FACETIME
Is this Orwellian? It's well past 1984, and pianists who've steeped themselves in every URTEXT (authentic music edition) known to civilization, are signing on to SKYPE, meeting their students in Alaska, Uganda, Brazil, or even right around the corner. The NEW neighborhood teacher is zoning out on the big screen with a Logitech mini-cam blowing… Continue reading Sculpting melodic lines over FACETIME
