What are the Essential Principles of A Student’s Technique?
Dear reader, Back in the spring of 1989 Richard Chronister asked me to become the first Associate Editor for Technique of a new publication with a focus on piano study from beginning through intermediate levels. Thus began my association with KEYBOARD COMPANION. I think Richard asked...
How Should I Plan for Retirement?
When we’re in our twenties, fresh out of school and getting a career off the ground, we have all the time in the world. When we reach our thirties, many of us are busy balancing a job with family. We’re busier than we’ve ever been,...
How Do You Motivate Your Teenagers?
For the rare student, motivation just seems to take care of itself, but with many teens, the problem of motivation can seem to be beyond the reach of a teacher’s best efforts. Yet, both of the contributors to this issue of KEYBOARD COMPANION have had notable success in their work with students of this age. Despite differing ideas and modes of expression, the most striking thing about the responses of these two authors is that they are saying basically the same thing. They are saying that the key to motivating teenagers is to know them as individuals with disparate interests and diverse needs, all of which must be honored and respected,...
How Do You Handle the Discouraging Plateaus of Adult Piano Study?
Although this question implies that all plateaus are negative, our writers very effectively dispute that contention and give us very positive reasons for plateaus. It is analogous to the age-old question about the glass being half empty or half full. A plateau from one perspective is viewed as no progress or stagnation. A plateau from another perspective is a well-deserved rest before jumping into the fray again. It’s interesting that even though children also have plateaus in their study, they seldom question them or consider them a problem as most adults do. Is it because they accept that learning comes in spurts just as physical growth does? If every...
What Important Elements of Jazz Are Appropriate for Early-Level Students?
The wording of this question emerged after long stares at a blank computer screen- then typing, cutting, typing, pasting, typing, Thesaurus, cutting and pasting, and repeating the whole process over again. The question kept raising more questions-what is Jazz? Is it possible to teach any important elements of this complex music at elementary or intermediate levels? How can those of us trained in the classical piano tradition learn (much less...
How Do You Use the New Technology in Group Teaching?
Although the term group teaching defies a simple definition or universal application, most piano teachers today include some type of group activity in their teaching- from regular weekly or monthly group lessons to an occasional “practice recital.” Likewise, every piano teacher uses some form of technology in teaching, if only a metronome! However, our question for this issue concerns the use of new technology referring to equipment made possible by computers, chips, and MIDI-and its applications to group instruction. Our three writers are highly successful teachers who not only combine new technology and group teaching but are also...
Do You Use Recordings to Reinforce Your Teaching of Repertoire?
Keyboard Companion Spring 2004; Vol. 15, No. 1
from the series: Putting It All Together: Repertoire Marvin Blickenstaff, Editor “Listen carefully.” How many times did you use that phrase yesterday in your lessons? Listen…for what? How? Why? Most of us readily would agree that the hallmarks of artistic playing involve shaping of sound, balance of...
How Do You Educate Parents and Students about the Importance of Music Study?
Keyboard Companion Summer 1991; Vol. 2, No. 2
Music makes a difference. This simple statement sums up the answer to perhaps the single most important question for music teachers – Why is music study important? In this issue, The Magic Triangle will give you an overview of the importance of music study, provide some suggestions on...
What do you like – and what do you not like – about practice?
Keyboard Companion Summer 1991; Vol. 2, No. 2
In all previous issues, our Home Practice Department has addressed questions of concern primarily to teachers. In this issue, we are providing a forum for students to express themselves on the subject of practice. Early last fall, a questionnaire was distributed to fifty students from...
What Do Students Think About the Technique They Are Practicing?
Kids really do say the darndest things, as they used to say on the Art Linkletter Show, and I knew I was in for a day of darned things as soon as I heard my sister’s voice. “Will you baby-sit Robbie for me on Sunday,” she asked,...
How Do You Prepare for a Career as a Piano Technician?
Keyboard Companion Spring 1995; Vol. 6, No. 1
My piano tuner is also a flutist in a major symphony orchestra. During one of his first service calls to my home, I realized that the man sitting at my piano, casually dressed and listening intently, was wearing white tie and tails on stage the week...
How Do You Teach Your Students Not to Hesitate at a Bar Line?
Keyboard Companion Spring 1995; Vol. 6, No. 1
In one of the earlier issues of KEYBOARD COMPANION, a subscriber wrote to the Rhythm Post Box offering a suggestion for handling the problem of students who pause before a bar line. Her suggestion was to “white out” the bar lines, removing that visual barrier. The...
How Do You Balance Your Emphasis on Accuracy and Interpretation?
Keyboard Companion Spring 1995; Vol. 6, No. 1
In the last issue, students and parents responded to the question, What makes piano study a positive experience for you or your child?, and I invited readers to read the comments and to form their own conceptualization of recurrent theme(s). As I searched for common themes,...
Why Is Playing the Piano Beneficial for Adults With Arthritis?
Keyboard Companion Spring 1995; Vol. 6, No. 1
We are fortunate to have this question answered by two writers who are extremely knowledgeable about arthritis. Charlotte Frazier is a Registered Music Therapist (RMT) who has experience teaching piano to adults with arthritis. Scott Zashin is an MD who stays informed about the most...
Is the Repertoire You Are Teaching in 1994-95 Different From the Repertoire You Taught in 1984-85?
Keyboard Companion Spring 1995; Vol. 6, No. 1
Change is a highly volatile presence in our daily lives and in our profession. It is evident in our family structure and in all the institutions of our culture. There are significant changes in the way we shop, the foods we eat, the way we...