What is under-emphasized in discussions about satisfying piano study, is the role of a student's attitude toward lessons, practicing, and progress. Particularly within the realm of adult music learning, an individual's decision to return to a structured instructional environment after a weighty absence from childhood lessons will often attach a set of negative associations: 1)… Continue reading Attitude and Adult Piano Study
Category: piano lesson dropouts
Piano Technique: Practicing dip/roll motions, and dead weight fat lady to skinny dipper for diminuendo (Videos)
I show my 13-year old student, Albertina how to dip/roll the last measures of Burgmuller's frenzied Ballade, while applying weight control to taper a phrase. (diminuendo) We're on the final lap of preparation for Saturday's Spring Recital! http://youtu.be/FjaKqpnUq08 ONLINE Webcam piano classes and Instructional schedule: http://www.powhow.com/classes/shirley-kirsten Play through: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTR0BIMxCdA
The neighborhood piano teacher lives on….
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… Continue reading The neighborhood piano teacher lives on….
Frustrated piano teacher/Frustrated student– What to do next? (Video)
A timely comment was posted at my blog site which echoed my own frustration at times about teaching piano. Here's the spark for my current writing and it comes from a music instructor in Vancouver: "I do have the odd students who don’t practice and never improve, and then get frustrated at their lack of… Continue reading Frustrated piano teacher/Frustrated student– What to do next? (Video)
A taboo subject: When the “other” piano teacher snatches your student
A pupil snatch is usually a covert, behind the scenes operation.
Piano Lesson in progress: Fugue in C Minor, BWV 847 (Video)
Claudia S., age 11, identified and practiced the Subject, Tonal Answer, and Counter-subject 1 and 2 of the Fugue BWV 847. She learned how to make a difference between portato and staccato as she examined form, structure, and phrasing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvXZKI6HLIY
The come and go, passing through Age of piano study
It’s always nice to blog about a devoted cadre of piano students who show up each week prepared for their lessons, wanting to grow and develop in creative directions. Such a pleasing landscape had been presented in REACHING BEYOND, a film tribute to Irena Orlov’s remarkably inspired piano teaching. Her students couldn’t wait to go… Continue reading The come and go, passing through Age of piano study
When a piano student is not working up to potential, the meeting and e-mail that are needed…
I was reminded by a reader of my post titled, "When love for the piano dies.." and in that particular writing I focused on situations where certain pressures brought by parents and/or the piano teacher can trigger practicing avoidance, leading to the obvious, piano lesson termination. In these scenarios, mom or dad may live through… Continue reading When a piano student is not working up to potential, the meeting and e-mail that are needed…
When love for the piano dies…and why
After many years of watching students grow and develop, I've noticed that some experience a turnaround of feelings about playing the piano, and it can occur at any level of study from beginner to advanced. In some instances, the materials used by the teacher can dampen enthusiasm for learning, but more often, a complex set… Continue reading When love for the piano dies…and why
Paying a child to practice piano?
I was scanning *Piano World's forums and noticed posts about paying children to do their daily practicing. An assortment of contributors thought the idea had merit. My first response, without embroiling myself too deeply in the discussion, was to abhor the "practice" altogether. I saw no value in viewing piano playing as a $$$ rewarded… Continue reading Paying a child to practice piano?