There's always a piece of music lurking somewhere that can save a young student from quitting piano. For those of us who teach the great masterworks, passing a cultural legacy to the next generation, we know lickety-split when it's time to break out our ammunition: the magic bullet piece. Example: An 11-year old had gotten… Continue reading In a Piano Teacher’s Arsenal: The Magic bullet piece (VIDEO with Aiden Cat joining in)
Tag: Aiden cat
Behind the Locked Gate!
Have you ever been a prisoner in your own home? I was, after my return to Fresno from El Cerrito where I had my second piano studio. My brand new custom-made cedar gate that enclosed my front patio, had endured three days of continuous Valley showers while I was gone. In the aftermath, it just… Continue reading Behind the Locked Gate!
My pedal protector, keyboard bracelet, and other Bay area favorites
My El Cerrito piano studio has a treasure trove of precious items, one of which is the infamous pedal protector that was previously mentioned in my blog, "A Piano Teacher's Worst Nightmare." The invention, a rectangular prism of thick cardboard wrapped in masking tape and bolstered in styrofoam was measured precisely by "Fujie," a gifted… Continue reading My pedal protector, keyboard bracelet, and other Bay area favorites
Aiden the Cat Swoons over Chopin’s music (on You Tube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5MLPxKFl2c I was joined by a surprise visitor while videotaping myself playing the Chopin Waltz in A minor, a composition discovered long after the composer's death. (Cataloged as "Opus Posthumous") I had been tirelessly recording the piece for about 20 times in the sanctity of my piano room, while Aiden had been shuttled off to… Continue reading Aiden the Cat Swoons over Chopin’s music (on You Tube)
The Big day for Claudia M. and others, minus Aiden the Cat
Saturday was the culmination of little Claudia's practicing. She was scheduled to play on a musical program without Aiden the cat beside her on the piano bench. As a second banana, I would replace my adorable feline as the duet partner of my pint size 8 year old student on the stage at the Fresno… Continue reading The Big day for Claudia M. and others, minus Aiden the Cat
A musical match made in heaven, Aiden cat and Claudia in purrr-fect harmony
This evening Aiden decided to share star billing with 8 year old Claudia. It was an encore of sorts, since my student had just completed her lesson and was packing up her music books. Out of nowhere my angel cat made a soft landing on the piano bench and beckoned Claudia with his serene expression… Continue reading A musical match made in heaven, Aiden cat and Claudia in purrr-fect harmony
Arioso7's Blog (Shirley Kirsten) 