This was a homey STREET that hosted so many teachers, some of whom were basket weaving tutors. Others wove stories and helped fledglings beautifully craft them. In the sports arena, personal trainers, football and basketball coaches, et al, pitched their personal expertise. It was a Mister Rogers type neighborhood that embraced diversity and individuality. Sad… Continue reading Teach Street is closing February 15th, 2012, shades of CD BABY’s rite of passage
Tag: Teach Street
Piano Lesson: Rina, 4, learns “Frere Jacques” in steps (using my staircase) Video
To spice up and vary today's lesson, I had Rina transfer her stair climbing to hands-on piano exploration. She already knew her 7-letter music alphabet and had followed flashcards with note names placed consecutively on each step in three previous stair-related activities, so it was time to put "Frere Jacques" into motion, with a few… Continue reading Piano Lesson: Rina, 4, learns “Frere Jacques” in steps (using my staircase) Video
Teaching a young beginning piano student how to play expressively (Video)
I'm a firm believer in teaching beautiful phrasing and musical expression from the very start of piano lessons. Taking individual notes, and producing a singing tone is a goal in itself which requires attentive listening, as well as sensitivity to the physical and mental aspects of playing. In this video, that unfortunately has some video/audio… Continue reading Teaching a young beginning piano student how to play expressively (Video)
Rina, 4, has her 5th piano lesson: tapping C’s, D’s and E’s to music (Videos in 4 parts plus treat time with Aiden cat)
These are lesson excerpts Part One: Relaxation Rina enjoyed soaring around the room with the grace of an eagle to the music of Beethoven's "Fur Elise." She had been inquisitive about a music-making globe that was sitting on the piano that when cranked, played "Fur Elise." This discovery was a springboard to the movement activity.… Continue reading Rina, 4, has her 5th piano lesson: tapping C’s, D’s and E’s to music (Videos in 4 parts plus treat time with Aiden cat)
The Complete Piano Work-out in 3 parts (Videos)
Most of my late intermediate and advanced students know the routine at lessons. The first twenty minutes are spent warming up in the Key they've been assigned the previous week. Once seated at the piano, they're ready for a challenging kinetic whirl around the keyboard as scales and arpeggios dance through the cosmos in various… Continue reading The Complete Piano Work-out in 3 parts (Videos)
More Lesson-in-Progress excerpts, Chopin Waltz in A minor, No. 19, Op. Posthumous (Video)
Preserving teaching moments on video allows students an opportunity to review what transpired at their lesson as a springboard to improve practicing during the week. In this particular situation, I was able to e-mail the You Tube link to Claudia, 10, and Claire 8, both of whom are studying the Chopin A Minor Waltz No.… Continue reading More Lesson-in-Progress excerpts, Chopin Waltz in A minor, No. 19, Op. Posthumous (Video)
Aiden Cat Dozes off to Debussy (Video)
Looks like Aiden was out like a light... except for 2 well-timed ear twitches ... otherwise, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Arabesque no. 1 Played on my Haddorff console piano (manuf. 1951) a real musical treasure with divine resonance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0QF8ahBJ88 Aiden's awake-time pics: RELATED: A Purrr-fect Musical Match Made in Heaven http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyY3XSl5Wuc Aiden Cat Joins Ilyana, 8, at the… Continue reading Aiden Cat Dozes off to Debussy (Video)
Piano Technique: Rolling out a four-note E minor arpeggio in all inversions (using a supple wrist and relaxed arm)-Video
The key to achieving fluidity in playing these arpeggios, is having a relaxed arm and supple, "spongy" wrist. The wrist, I would add is a SPRING, or shock absorber. If you freeze your wrist, you might as well play the piano with a pencil. I dip my wrist with each inversion, and I roll into… Continue reading Piano Technique: Rolling out a four-note E minor arpeggio in all inversions (using a supple wrist and relaxed arm)-Video
Should a piano teacher be able to play pieces assigned to students?
This question, posed on numerous Internet piano forums, elicited varied opinions from teachers and students. One participant asked about Dorothy Delay, who taught some of the most celebrated violinists at the Juilliard School. When this esteemed mentor had reached an advanced age, would she have been able to demonstrate challenging technical passages for her pupils?… Continue reading Should a piano teacher be able to play pieces assigned to students?
The Piano Universe of Discussion Boards, Digital Feedback, and Self-analysis (Video)
I love to scan the Boards at Piano World, UK Forums, Piano Street, Piano Addict, and other stop-off points such as My Music Life Blogspot and Color in my Piano to get a feel for the concerns of piano students at all levels of study. This form of feedback that flows in and out of… Continue reading The Piano Universe of Discussion Boards, Digital Feedback, and Self-analysis (Video)