Piano Inspires Podcast: Leila Viss
Discovery homeSign up for email updatessubmit a question To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Leila Viss, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of her conversation with Andrea McAlister. Want to learn more about Viss? Check out the latest installment of...
September 2017: Apps for Teaching: Tools for Triggering Creativity with Pop Music
September 2017; Vol. 9, No. 5
Why integrate popular or “non-classical” music into piano lessons? Retain students Integrating pop music into your curriculum can meet students “where they are.” Encouraging them to learn what’s on their Spotify or iTunes playlist may draw them to practicing more, which results in progress. Progress...
Protecting Passwords in 21st-Century Style
November 2017; Vol. 9, No. 6
Do you panic when prompted to enter a password? It’s virtually an impossible task to remember every password you create as most websites now require you to make an account and follow a specific set of rules for the username and a “strong” password. A...
May 2018: First Looks: Apps for Teaching
May 2018; Vol. 10, No. 3
A closer look at SuperScore A unique liquid display? Embedded performances? Interactive features for learning and performing? An amazing library of scores? Is it possible that all of these features are found in one free app? Yes, in an app called SuperScore. To say that...
March 2018: First Looks: Apps for Teaching
March 2018; Vol. 10, No. 2
Looking for fresh ways to prepare students for an upcoming theory test? Need a new method to reinforce and build student confidence in any music-related topic? Consider using Heads Up or Kahoot. Heads up Ellen DeGeneres introduced Heads Up for her show years ago, as...
March 2017: Apps for Teaching: Make It Stick with Quizlet
March 2017; Vol. 9, No. 2
Quizlet is an app that generates flash cards. These are not the traditional, last-century, paper flash cards. Once you set up an account, you can create customized sets of virtual flashcards with engaging study modes, and access them on laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Most students are familiar with Quizlet because...
Lock in Theory with iReal Pro
May 2017; Vol. 9, No. 3
Developing technical skills builds strong players. Working through technical challenges can be more beneficial when combined with theory concepts and exponentially more engaging when locked into a groove. Fellow Clavier Companion contributor and improvisation specialist Bradley Sowash recommends developing scale playing with backing tracks that he generates in an...
July 2017: Apps for Teaching: Acing Theory Tests Without Theory Books
July 2017; Vol. 9, No. 4
Much to my pleasure (and astonishment!), a number of my students signed up to take theory tests at the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) local festival. None of these students owns a theory book. The NFMC Bulletin provides an outline of concepts covered in each test...
First Looks: Apps for Teaching
January 2017; Vol. 9, No. 1
Paper leaves a trail, and usually the trail leads to the trash can. For that reason, I prefer to avoid paper and ink and offer virtual lesson assignment sheets. All my notes for student lessons are written in Pages, a word processor app similar to...
Yes, Technology Can Simplify Your Hectic Teaching Life!
May 2013; Vol. 5, No. 3
It’s true! Check out the solutions from your colleagues that follow. There is no one approach that is the best one for all teachers. If you read on, I know you’ll be impressed with how creative good teachers can be with the business side of...
Mobile technology is the new normal
September 2015; Vol. 7, No. 5
Editor’s note: In the November/December 2014 issue, Clavier Companion launched a series of articles addressing the future of piano teaching. The following two articles are part of that series, which will continue in future issues. Think back to an earlier time in your life. Did...
What are your thoughts on the future of piano teaching?
November 2014; Vol. 6, No. 6
What’s next for our profession? Clavier Companion asked twelve pedagogues from around the country to contribute their thoughts on the future of piano teaching. In the following article, each author provides a short musing on this broad question. This series will continue in future...