Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

Photo: Marvin and Jennifer Snow at the Inspired Piano Teaching book launch There are visionary leaders who inspire the world, motivate us to be better humans,…

Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

MARVIN BLICKENSTAFF (1935–2026) had so much to give throughout his lifetime—and he gave of it freely—to everyone. Many of us have heard his heartfelt stories, and…

Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

Pianists who heard Marvin present workshops, watched him teach, or interacted with him as students or colleagues, were forever changed. Marvin inspired all of us to…

Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

Much has been written about mentorship in the realm of music education. Years of practice and carefully researched studies have shown that would-be music educators meet…

Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

In the ever-evolving tapestry of Brazilian history, the echoes of colonialism left an indelible mark on its society and culture. During the span of over three…

Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

The first time I meditated, it felt like my brain was on fire. I had no idea how busy my mind was. Jammed with worries and…

Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

Sustaining student motivation and musical growth during the summer months remains a persistent challenge in music education. This article explores an interdisciplinary model for summer music…

Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

“If there is one thing that is at the heart of my teaching, it is to emphasize the beauty and the expressivity of musical sound… it…

Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

“Piano accompaniment, or collaborative piano, is an invisibilized force driving classical music.”1 Thus declares the bold (and true!) opening sentence, highlighting the essential nature of this…

Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

You know the kid—middle school, messy backpack, wears shorts when it’s 20 degrees outside and wants to play the third movement of the “Moonlight” sonata but…

Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

As students progress to intermediate repertoire and start to explore piano literature on their own, teachers can expect requests to study two of Claude Debussy’s (1862–1918)…

Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

At its meeting on December 12, 2025, the Board of Trustees of The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy unanimously and enthusiastically voted in favor of…

Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

BEGINNING: Five-finger patterns & simple rhythms 1 EASY: Scales & simple syncopation 2 INTERMEDIATE: Beginning counterpoint & complex rhythms, Bach notebooks, Bartók Mikrokosmos I–II 3 LATE-INTERMEDIATE:…

Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1

The three neglected works on this superb recording feature lush Romanticism and sparkling pianistic virtuosity. Carl Reinecke (1824–1910) and Emil von Sauer (1862–1942) were deservedly renowned…

Winter 2026; Vol. 17, No. 4

“Take care of yourselves,” “stay healthy,” “be well.” If you have ever taught collegiate group piano courses, then you have probably offered this advice to your…

Winter 2026; Vol. 17, No. 4

Improvisation is valuable for a student’s musical development; however, piano lessons are typically focused on traditional repertoire and exam preparation, leaving little room for additional activities.…

Winter 2026; Vol. 17, No. 4

In his book Advice to Young Musicians, Robert Schumann wrote: “Reverence what is old, but have a warm heart also for what is new. Indulge no…

Winter 2026; Vol. 17, No. 4

The best pedagogy and teacher training programs prepare students to teach by steeping future teachers in theoretical frameworks (i.e., important educational and child development principles), offering…

Winter 2026; Vol. 17, No. 4

Tales of the globetrotting exploits of Franz Liszt, astonishing audiences everywhere with his virtuosity, are frequently retold and enjoy the status of popular lore. They form…

Winter 2026; Vol. 17, No. 4

QUESTION: I have a small group of six-year-old beginning piano students. It seems like their attention span is shorter than previous groups I've taught. Do you…

Winter 2026; Vol. 17, No. 4

As an immigrant arriving in Utah for college back in 2008, I still vividly remember my first encounter with snow on the Brigham Young University campus.…

Winter 2026; Vol. 17, No. 4

Traditionally, teachers have considered “technique” to consist almost exclusively of scales, arpeggios, finger exercises, and studies. However, if we consider the word “technique” in its broadest…

Winter 2026; Vol. 17, No. 4

When was the last time a student actually practiced every day without being reminded? If you’re like most piano teachers, you’re probably doing the mental math…

Winter 2026; Vol. 17, No. 4

On July 23, 2025, The Piano Conference: NCKP (National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy) hosted the inaugural, groundbreaking Innovation Summit, a day that brought together 420 members…

Winter 2026; Vol. 17, No. 4

BEGINNING: Five-finger patterns & simple rhythms 1 EASY: Scales & simple syncopation 2 INTERMEDIATE: Beginning counterpoint & complex rhythms, Bach notebooks, Bartók Mikrokosmos I–II 3 LATE-INTERMEDIATE:…

Winter 2026; Vol. 17, No. 4

Piano enthusiasts know Frank Glazer (1915–2015) as the first pianist to record the complete solo piano works of Erik Satie. The longtime Eastman School of Music…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

Wilfred Delphin may not be a household name among young pianists, but his work as a concert duo-pianist and university professor has paved the way for…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

This hypothesizing naturally progresses to the question of what Brahms might think of many modern-day performances of his piano music, and specifically how he might guide…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

Introduction Lorenzo Fernández (1897–1948) was a pivotal figure in Brazilian music as both a composer and educator. His works combine European compositional traditions—particularly Impressionism and Romanticism—with…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

"THE POWER OF ONE" Marvin Blickenstaff's Ninetieth Birthday Celebration by SARA M. ERNST BEFORE EVEN ONE NOTE SOUNDED,the audience was on their feet, and the applause…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

It’s an alarming experience when we discover that our amazing, miraculous bodies are no longer functioning the way that we wish. One of humanity’s most pervasive…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

The world lost a great musician and teacher on May 22 of this year, when John Perry died at age 90. Perry had an amazing career…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

Carolyn Miller’s Rhapsody for a Lost Love is a multi-sectional composition in which rhapsodic elements underscore both the dramatic shifts in character and the ever-changing technical…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

ANSWER: Imagine walking into a studio buzzing with energy. Four students are enthusiastically singing and moving along with a backing track, itching to get to their…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

Hot off the presses, Arise and Shine is a first-of-its-kind collection of thirty-three works for children written by Black composers and performed by Black pianists. This…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

BEGINNING: Five-finger patterns & simple rhythms 1 EASY: Scales & simple syncopation 2 INTERMEDIATE: Beginning counterpoint & complex rhythms, Bach notebooks, Bartók Mikrokosmos I–II 3 LATE-INTERMEDIATE:…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

This past June and July, close to 1,000 pianists participated in The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025. Those of us who convened in Lombard, Illinois, experienced a…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

This publication encapsulates Marvin Blickenstaff’s decades of knowledge, experience, and insight into one book. Among its many highlights is Chapter 27, “What Do You Do When…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

While many books exist on various topics related to musician wellness, Health, Wellness, and Wholeness in the Music Studio is the only one that seems specifically…

Autumn 2025; Vol. 17, No. 3

I have recently heard colleagues questioning a previously steadfast commitment to the international activity our profession has always dearly coveted. Connecting online rather than face-to-face, reducing…

Summer 2025; Vol. 17, No. 2

During The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025, Barbara Fast, Susanna Garcia, Gary Ingle, William Chapman Nyaho, and Craig Sale will be honored by the Frances Clark Center…

Summer 2025; Vol. 17, No. 2

As teachers, we often find that students’ independent practice overlooks or even exacerbates problems that complicate their progress. Most students need guidance during their practice time,…

Summer 2025; Vol. 17, No. 2

Who Are Adult Avocational Learners? There are many types of piano students, each with unique needs and motivations, but one group that is not always addressed…

Summer 2025; Vol. 17, No. 2

In his interviews with Bill Moyers in the late 1980s, mythologist Joseph Campbell urged viewers to find their place of “creative incubation” and to use it…

Summer 2025; Vol. 17, No. 2

Introducing intermediate students to harmonization is a strategic idea, as it is a skill that will benefit them in numerous ways! Many contemporary settings require pianists…

Summer 2025; Vol. 17, No. 2

This issue of Piano Magazine is one of our most inspiring because it celebrates the extraordinary contributions of our 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award honorees. These five…

Summer 2025; Vol. 17, No. 2

As part of their 50th-anniversary commemoration, the incomparable Takács Quartet, joined by the extraordinary Marc-André Hamelin, performs piano quintets by Florence Price and Antonín Dvořák. Price’s…

Summer 2025; Vol. 17, No. 2

While I have an extensive personal library devoted to all things piano and pedagogy, I recommend only a handful of books repeatedly to students because I…

Summer 2025; Vol. 17, No. 2

BEGINNING: Five-finger patterns & simple rhythms 1 EASY: Scales & simple syncopation 2 INTERMEDIATE: Beginning counterpoint & complex rhythms, Bach notebooks, Bartók Mikrokosmos I–II 3 LATE-INTERMEDIATE:…

Summer 2025; Vol. 17, No. 2

Most of us practice using a blocked practice method: we work on one thing for a large block of time before moving on to something else.…

Summer 2025; Vol. 17, No. 2

“Evening Intermezzo” exists within the tradition of the elaborated chorale such as those used by Frédéric Chopin or J. S. Bach. Jeanine Yeager’s use of lush…

Spring 2025; Vol. 17, No. 1

Fiona Maddocks’ biography of Rachmaninoff’s American years is a fast-paced ride—filled with details of Rachmaninoff’s life from 1918 to his death in 1943 which, incidentally, includes…

Spring 2025; Vol. 17, No. 1

Cedille Records has released an excellent recording of Romantic music masterly performed by pianist Jorge Federico Osorio, conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto, and the Orquesta Sinfónica de…

Spring 2025; Vol. 17, No. 1

This summer, we will be hosting The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025.1 As shared in this issue of Piano Magazine, the online and in-person programs are robust,…

Spring 2025; Vol. 17, No. 1

At the end of my first semester of undergraduate piano study, my teacher asked me to “practice improvising” during my winter break. I suspect that her…

Spring 2025; Vol. 17, No. 1

The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 will convene for the thirteenth time this summer, in-person on July 23–26, 2025, in Lombard, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, and…

Spring 2025; Vol. 17, No. 1

Ask yourself this question: Why do you love to play the piano? For me, it is about expressing myself—sharing my voice and passion for music with…

Spring 2025; Vol. 17, No. 1

Music has a fascinating role as a connector and communicator across cultures, experiences, and spaces. Where there is life, there is music. Like many young musicians,…

Spring 2025; Vol. 17, No. 1

I applaud you for taking this “assignment” so seriously. Fair and constructive judging is key to making a student’s participation in any event a success. A…

Spring 2025; Vol. 17, No. 1

Create a Musical Story! When a student seems to be losing interest in playing piano, often the best solution is to find a piece that is…

Spring 2025; Vol. 17, No. 1

Thomas Henderson Kerr Jr. (January 3, 1915–August 26, 1988) was an American classical pianist, organist, teacher, and composer. His works were performed by some of the…

Spring 2025; Vol. 17, No. 1

Research over the last decade suggests that sight-reading skill levels are not fixed but can be improved by building various musical, technical, and cognitive skills.1 However,…

Spring 2025; Vol. 17, No. 1

BEGINNING: Five-finger patterns & simple rhythms 1 EASY: Scales & simple syncopation 2 INTERMEDIATE: Beginning counterpoint & complex rhythms, Bach notebooks, Bartók Mikrokosmos I–II 3 LATE-INTERMEDIATE:…

Winter 2025; Vol 16, No. 4

Shura Cherkassky (1909–1995) was the embodiment of the stereotypical “mercurial” musician; his freewheeling manner at the piano drove conductors to distraction and made certain critics foam…

Winter 2025; Vol 16, No. 4

Understanding cultural and musical context improves student engagement during music learning and interpretation during performance. To bring attention to composers and create camaraderie within my piano…

Winter 2025; Vol 16, No. 4

Most people know Renée Fleming as one of the most highly acclaimed opera singers in the world; she has also emerged as a leading advocate for…

Winter 2025; Vol 16, No. 4

Brief History ~ The Republic of Turkey, as it is known today, is a relatively young country having celebrated its centennial in 2023. Turkey’s musical history…

Winter 2025; Vol 16, No. 4

The timeless melody of Greensleeves has echoed through centuries, captivating listeners with its haunting beauty and rich history. While traditionally associated with the Renaissance era, this…

Winter 2025; Vol 16, No. 4

Developing the courage to perform in an authoritative fashion—one that sets audiences at ease and convinces them that they’re listening to musical statements that deserve to…

Winter 2025; Vol 16, No. 4

A vital component of successful piano teaching is guiding students to develop a comfortable approach to the instrument and achieve a beautiful tone. Essential to this…

Winter 2025; Vol 16, No. 4

The new year of 2025 signals the end of the first quarter of the twenty-first century. This time marker is a reminder that most collegiate students…

Winter 2025; Vol 16, No. 4

Meet Joey, his dog Kismet, and his cat Tabitha (Tabby for short)—the stars of Amy Glennon’s charming musical story, perfectly suited for a studio recital of…

Winter 2025; Vol 16, No. 4

Before entering a student in a contest or festival, it is necessary to have discussions with the student and their parent/ guardian. All parties need to…

Winter 2025; Vol 16, No. 4

Blending Musical Traditions Tan Dun was born in 1957, in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, and earned his master’s degree in 1985, from the Central Conservatory of…

Winter 2025; Vol 16, No. 4

The autumn 2024 Piano Magazine article, “Breaking Stereotypes,” explored the deeply ingrained misconceptions surrounding Indigenous music and how important it is to approach these traditions with…

Autumn 2024; Vol 16, No. 3

The start of each academic year is filled with excitement, joy, and hope—for students and teachers! We begin the year feeling the full range of possibilities:…

Autumn 2024; Vol 16, No. 3

“What started as setting a few melodies actually turned into composing some original things, and reaching back into that part of me that wanted to compose…

Autumn 2024; Vol 16, No. 3

Humor and Hijinks in Haydn's Piano Sonatas For many younger students, classical piano study is associated with words like discipline, repetition, practice, precision, and perseverance. The…

Autumn 2024; Vol 16, No. 3

Understanding the True Diversity of Indigenous Music Twelve years ago, while working on my master’s degree in music, I was also teaching piano. I worked for…

Autumn 2024; Vol 16, No. 3

I get asked this question a lot when I perform on an alternatively sized piano keyboard that better fits my hands. This well-meaning comment reveals inherent…

Autumn 2024; Vol 16, No. 3

NEW MUSIC - & - MATERIALS EASY PIANO LEAD SHEETS AND CHORD CHARTS LEVEL 1: WORLD FOLK SONGS Playing from lead sheets is an essential skill…

Autumn 2024; Vol 16, No. 3

A History in 50 Lives Tomes could have titled her book Fifty Great Pianists, and it would be an apt description of what is inside. It…

Autumn 2024; Vol 16, No. 3

ANSWER: Highlighting the relationships between music, literature, and history in a student recital based on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women is a wonderfully creative idea! As…

Autumn 2024; Vol 16, No. 3

Another entry into the lexicon of clown-inspired character pieces, “Harlequin” is a jubilant composition found in Children’s Carnival, Op. 25. The playful, leaping melody portrays the…

Autumn 2024; Vol 16, No. 3

Most piano fanciers first encountered the Italian pianist Sergio Fiorentino (1927–1998) in the final five years of his life. A longtime pedagogue at the conservatory in…

Autumn 2024; Vol 16, No. 3

As teachers, we are eternal learners at our core. Our thirst to improve, expand, and deepen our impact for our students continuously inspires us. This summer,…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

Pianists agree that practice is required to learn new music, regardless of age or skill level. However, not all practice is effective. Better learning outcomes result…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

I spend one hour each day with my Ivory Key to Success.This key can open many doors for me.It can bring me entertainment, friends, and challenges.In…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

Ingrid Clarfield is nationally recognized as a teacher, clinician, pianist, and author. Clarfield is Professor Emerita of Piano and former head of the Piano Division at…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

Although harpsichords and pianos both belong to the family of stringed keyboard instruments, they exhibit distinctive characteristics. The harpsichord, with its plucked strings and unique mechanisms,…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

So spoke my teacher in college, in an admonition I would hear many times over four years. A wonderful person and infinitely generous, but she did…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

In recent years, the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has simultaneously caused both awe and controversy. Many express curiosity regarding how it works, what its limitations…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

On the count of three, point to the place where your upper arm meets your torso. One, two, three! See Figure 1 below and find the…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

Some composers have a knack for creating a piece that sounds spectacular but doesn’t “break the bank” by requiring excessive practice time from the student. This…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

Piano teachers often find themselves deeply engaged in imparting musical concepts and guiding students through the content found in method books. However, equally crucial is nurturing…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

Musicians have been fortunate in recent decades to have several excellent resources for reading about music and the brain, from Daniel J. Levitin’s groundbreaking book This…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

Inna Faliks’ recent biography is a captivating and deeply personal account of a child prodigy-performer-teaching artist. She writes with a directness and an inviting intimacy that…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

RECORDING REVIEWS In March of 2021, Gramophone carried an extensive article by Jeremy Nicholas praising a landmark reissuing of Decca recordings by the American pianist Ruth…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

by Jennifer Snow Leadership is a term that is frequently used. A quick google search reveals a range of characteristics, terminology, and definitions of success. The…

Summer 2024; Vol 16, No. 2

ANSWER: My favorite games and activities for summer camps are ones that are streamlined to prepare as a busy teacher, ones that can be made with…

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

Benefits of peer learning in music settings, where students learn with and from each other, are notable and include development of student autonomy, cooperation skills, motivation,…

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

In the modern music studio, students, teachers, and parents face many issues. One of the most common challenges for teachers is figuring out how to sustain…

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

One of the most important skills non-piano music majors learn in collegiate group piano classes is the ability to collaborate with others. There are many musical…

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

The contributions of Dr. William Chapman Nyaho to the field of piano performance and pedagogy are numerous and lasting. From the beginning, his life has been…

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

As piano teachers, we are invested in our own children's music lessons. Amy Boyes is a second-generation music teacher who was taught by her mother, and…

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

Choreographing Success! by Desireé González-Miller Etudes are commonly assigned to students with the aim of improving specific technical elements in their playing. However, one does not…

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

Playing with good technique gives us control and intentionality, and it minimizes our risk of injury. Beyond that, though, it just feels good! It’s an experience…

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

Long-time readers will recall that for many years the astute and witty observations, thought-provoking questions, personal anecdotes, and musical and philosophical musings of Robert Weirich filled…

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

This generously filled album includes short pieces and a song transcription of Fauré, the infamous white bird of Saint Saëns, the latter’s first cello concerto, the…

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

We are in the midst of some of the most stressful and trying times in our history and certainly in our own lives. In the spring…

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

As I’m sitting in my office, watching the snow fall, I’m pondering what I can explore that will be unique and interesting for myself, as well…

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

Recently, in our newly launched Piano Inspires Podcast, I had the great honor to speak with Dr. William Chapman Nyaho who is the featured artist-educator in…

Spring 2024; Vol. 16, No. 1

ANSWER: This is an important question, for playing musically is the essence of our work with our students. There are several approaches which have been useful…

Keyboard Companion Spring 2007; Vol. 18 No. 1

view flipbook Page 5: The Editor’s Page Hello old friend … Pete Jutras Page 6: Keyboard Companion News Page 6: On the Cover Page 8: Summer…

Keyboard Companion Autumn 2003; Vol. 14, No. 3

view flipbook Page 5: The Editor’s Page Fall – “a new beginning” Elvina Pearce Page 6: On the cover Page 8: From the Files How do…

Keyboard Companion Winter 2000; Vol. 11, No. 3

view flipbook Page 5: The Editor’s Page Elvina Pearce Page 6: Teacher/Student/Parent What are the positive and the negative aspects of teaching students in their own…

Keyboard Companion Spring 2000; Vol. 11, No. 1

view flipbook Page 5: The Editor's Page Richard Chronister Page 6: Teacher/Student/Parent What do you do with a student who hates to play the piano? Barbara…

Keyboard Companion Winter 1999; Vol. 10, No. 4

view flipbook Page 5: The Editor's Page Music Making for a Lifetime Richard Chronister Page 6: Teacher/Student/Parent What did you do in your practice this week?…

Keyboard Companion Autumn 1999; Vol. 10, No. 3

view flipbook Page 5: The Editor's Page George Washington dined here Richard Chronister Page 6: Teacher/Student/Parent What did you hear during your child's home practice last…