Piano Lesson: Teaching “GAME” by Kabalevsky, Op. 39 Children’s Pieces (Videos)

Vibrant musical miniatures are learning enticements for piano students. In this spirit, Dimitry Kabalevsky, a Twentieth Century Russian composer, shines in his collection of Children's Pieces (Op.39) that run the gamut of emotions, from sad expressions of human nature, "Waltz" (in d minor) to ebullient centerpieces, such as "Clowns," and "Galop." (spelled with one L)…

Adult Piano Student Themes and Issues

Thoughts about the adults I so dearly teach...

Piano Workout Plus: Left Hand development tips, and how to produce a “Woodpecker” staccato (Videos)

Any neighbor watching me doing my upper body push-ups using the keyboard as leverage would think I was a bit spacey. But I'm quite down to earth in my daily workout routines at the piano. They include applications of weight transfer into the keys; zoned in left hand practice through scale work (and arpeggios) in…

Revisiting Bach’s Fugue form (BWV 847 in C minor)

Bach's Fugue in C minor, BWV 847 is analyzed and taught

What to do in a 90-minute piano lesson? ( A 9-yr. old meets the challenge) Videos

Fritz is a bundle of energy. He comes to his 45-minute lesson each week before soccer practice and has an additional roster of sports activities that keep him in tip- top shape. Into his third year of piano study, his favorite pieces include: "Bear" by Rebikov, which requires a rotation of the Left Hand to…

My new home in Berkeley, California

My dreams of living in Berkeley have been fulfilled!