Lesson Planning: A Teaching Essential?
September 2014; Vol. 6, No. 5
Road maps and detours by Craig Sale One of my worst nightmares is arriving at the school where I teach to realize I have left that day’s lesson plans at home. On the rare occasions when this has happened, I have managed to conduct a...
Dot spots
September 2014; Vol. 6, No. 5
Add improvised pizzazz to the easy rhythms found in beginner tunes by asking your students to identify “dot spots.” These are places where students can substitute dotted rhythms in place of quarter notes. Instead of this: Students play this: Listen and play It’s not necessary...
Prelude Sets for Every Occasion
September 2014; Vol. 6, No. 5
I first encountered the fascinating “prelude set” genre, like a great majority of pianists, through Chopin’s 24 Preludes, Op. 28. After thoroughly exploring and enjoying the Chopin Op. 28, I was hooked and simply had to find more! The features of this genre are simple...
What a Find!
September 2014; Vol. 6, No. 5
My mother, who is also a piano teacher, enjoys finding and buying piano music for me —even to this day—and she usually finds really great stuff at her public library. Go figure! “Pizzicati” (a polka from the ballet Sylvia) was one of her recent finds....
Choosing a Master’s Degree Program in Piano Pedagogy
September 2014; Vol. 6, No. 5
Richard Chronister founded the first National Association of Schools of Music approved degree program in piano pedagogy at the University of Tulsa in 1959. I recall looking at schools the old-fashioned way – flipping through those large, heavy-to-lift program catalogues. Since then the number of...
Preparing an Audition Program
September 2014; Vol. 6, No. 5
As the conservatory audition season cycles in once again —as predictable as the ice and snow that always accompanies it in my neck of the woods—it has occurred to me that a simple checklist for teachers might be useful in preparing guileless students for what...
September 2014: Questions and Answers
September 2014; Vol. 6, No. 5
Q: Recently I’ve noticed that creativity as a theme for conferences and workshops seems to be coming up more and more. What are your thoughts on creativity in piano lessons for the average student? A: I’m glad you asked because I’m on a mission. First, I...
I have a student who…
September 2014; Vol. 6, No. 5
I have a student who graduated from my studio this year. Leah began study with me as a curly-haired, precocious five-year old. Today she is a vibrant young woman of eighteen. Leah chose three pieces for her final performance: “Footfalls,” by Wayne Shorter, which included...
Caring for your piano
May 2014; Vol. 6, No. 3
A well-prepped piano, the foundation of pianism The piano can be a very mysterious instrument. Pianists, whether they are amateurs or professionals, learn a great deal about how to manipulate the keys and pedals in various ways to make music. But very few have more than...
Loving an old piano
May 2014; Vol. 6, No. 3
You can certainly buy a fine piano brand-new nowadays—that is, if your bank account can stand the shock. After you’ve looked at the sticker price, the choice will immediately come down to either the new piano or a new Mercedes or BMW, though the piano...
Making practice records work
May 2014; Vol. 6, No. 3
There was a sign in my college piano professor’s studio which said “Practice smarter, not harder.” For a determined undergraduate who had no background in good practice habits, these were wise and important words. In fact, my work as a teacher is devoted to showing...
Teaching students not to rush
May 2014; Vol. 6, No. 3
by Michelle Conda Brianna, one of my graduate students, had a student who wouldn’t slow down—even with the threat of the “Practice Police.” I had my own student who was fast and furious, but sloppy. This concerned me because he wanted to audition for music...
Endings
May 2014; Vol. 6, No. 3
by Bradley Sowash Add pizzazz by repeating the last chord concerto-style in a couple of ranges. Flying hands Play the last chord hand-over-hand Liberace-style for a flashy sound that’s also exciting to watch. Then “button it” with a final low tonic note. Scaling away… Try...
Discovering Dana: A hidden American treasure
May 2014; Vol. 6, No. 3
This past March, I had a delightful experience that I thought I’d share with you, and, as a result, introduce a fascinating musician, whose music you may wish to explore further. As part of the tenth annual Eastman School of Music Women in Music Festival,...
A day at the beach
May 2014; Vol. 6, No. 3
The Grade 2 Lessons Book of the Michael Aaron Piano Course (Alfred) is home to a tried-and-true pupil saver, “The Breakers.” The piece is excellent for recitals, and especially appeals to older beginners who yearn for a more musical and difficult sound. “The Breakers” is...