http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-power-of-pedagogy-1472507353 This latest piece on how to teach piano (creatively) is gathering attention far and wide, most notably as an eye-catching feature in the Wall Street Journal. And if I'm not mistaken, an article on the joys of returning to the piano as an adult accorded a similar flood of adulation and empathy in this… Continue reading Piano Pedagogy article by Byron Janis in the Wall Street Journal
Month: August 2016
Piano Technique: Finding a secure nesting ground on Black Notes
In our Circle of Fifths journey through the ARPEGGIO universe, the one KEY that stands out as the most dreaded among adult students, is F# Major. A slippery slope of skinny raised BLACK notes, it often feeds separation anxiety from the more spacious WHITE notes. In the face of such traumatic avoidance of ratted black… Continue reading Piano Technique: Finding a secure nesting ground on Black Notes
Piano Technique: Different Strokes for Different Folks
I've heard myself say a thousand times over, that each individual piano student deserves a custom designed plan of study. In essence, there's no instructional METHOD fixed in perpetuity that will fit every musical traveler. In fact, with a diversity of student personalities, backgrounds, and approaches to life/career (where adults, in particular, apply), some pupils… Continue reading Piano Technique: Different Strokes for Different Folks
A nine-year-old Piano student at the six-month juncture of study
It's hard to believe how far "Liz" has come in her musical journey. With a half year's exposure to the piano, she composes, transposes, and approaches her practicing draped in the singing tone. In a repertoire-based phase of learning (with a primer method book tossed asunder) the student is embedded in relaxation techniques, with supple… Continue reading A nine-year-old Piano student at the six-month juncture of study
A Grand Piano with a captivating design!
"GET THIS!" A piano with sleekness and significant musical dimension: an eye and ear-catcher with a respectable pedigree among keyboard giants. Who can gloss over the Name Bluthner? I won't say more lest I spoil the uniqueness of the LOOKING and LISTENING experience. So UP and AWAY with alacrity! https://youtu.be/uiHX4GDW1NM
Piano Technique: Energy-saving, Relaxed, Resting hands
It's common for piano students to tense a hand that is not actively engaged in playing during measured rests. Beethoven's "Fur Elise," an aspirational piece for so many, is the perfect representation of interactive, woven hands, that flow across from Left to Right, with a spacious margin of relaxed breaths. (as rests are notated) This… Continue reading Piano Technique: Energy-saving, Relaxed, Resting hands
Arioso7's Blog (Shirley Kirsten) 