pianoinspires.com
Piano Inspires Discovery
A space dedicated to inspiring the love of piano and music making through educational and inspirational content.
-
5 Key Elements of Foundational Piano Pedagogy
1. Teachers should use words that are relevant and efficient while considering other powerful ways to communicate. Teachers use words to teach concepts, praise students, and offer feedback. Words used to give praise and feedback should focus on the music–how it sounds, looks, and feels, rather than the student’s personal ability. Specific, sincere, and descriptive…
-
5 Ways PianoInspires Can Transform Your Scale Practice
Ready to move beyond basic drills? The magazines, videos, and publications at pianoinspires.com are packed with fresh, effective ideas to elevate the technique of your piano students and your own practice. 1. Unlock Speed with the 3s and 4s Fingering Rule Tired of tricky fingerings? The Summer 2024 Issue of Piano Inspires Kids provides a…
-
Announcing the Autumn 2025 Issue of Piano Magazine!
Announcing the Autumn 2025 issue of Piano Magazine! Discover the remarkable journey of pianist and educator Wilfred Delphin, whose artistry and advocacy have shaped generations of musicians. From his formative years and international performances with his duo partner, Edwin Romain, to his lifelong commitment to mentoring young pianists, Delphin’s story celebrates perseverance, excellence, and the transformative…
-
5 Ways to Use the Activities in the Autumn 2025 Issue of Piano Inspires Kids
The Autumn issue of Piano Inspires Kids is filled with fun, creative, and educational ways to explore music. Whether you’re a teacher looking to bring fresh ideas into your studio or a parent hoping to spark your child’s imagination at home, this issue offers something for everyone. Here are five ways you can use the…
-
Phyllis Lehrer Piano Pedagogy & Artistry Fund
We would like to thank Mary Bloom and Michelle Aalders for tributes shared here with this post of the Phyllis Lehrer Piano Pedagogy & Artistry Fund. Phyllis’ legacy as a teacher, mentor, pianist, and colleague is unquestionable. We are honored to celebrate her work through the creation of this new fund in her name. To…
-
Announcing Issue 1, Vol. 1 of Journal of Piano Research
The Journal of Piano Research is pleased to announce its first online issue of international, peer-reviewed articles. The Journal of Piano Research promotes the exploration, discussion, and dissemination of high-level research that advances professional practice and scholarship. An investigation of precollege piano students’ practice habits and practice strategies in China Yuan Jiang, Yue Liu Creating a screening tool for dysmusia:…
-
This Month in Piano History – October 2025
As the season changes in October, we celebrate the birth of two legendary musicians and the premiere of a piano concerto once deemed too difficult to play! October 13, 1909 An inspiration to many, jazz pianist Art Tatum was born on October 13, 1909 in Toledo, Ohio. Although he was born with a visual impairment,…
-
Piano for Life: E.L. Lancaster on Piano Pedagogy, Music Education, and Accessibility for All
To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring E.L. Lancaster, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of his conversation with Yeeseon Kwon. Want to learn more about Lancaster? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Lancaster on Apple Podcasts,…
-
Piano Inspires Podcast: Randy Faber
To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Randy Faber, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of his conversation with Jennifer Snow. Want to learn more about Faber? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Faber on Apple Podcasts,…
-
Five Composers You Might Not Know Were Influenced by Indonesian Gamelan
We encourage you to watch Regina Tanujaya’s archived webinar here: “Piano Music by Composers of Asian Heritage, Part 2,” who’s joined by Chee-Hwa Tan and Li-Ly Chang, and Luis Sanchez. This webinar shares appealing and accessible piano teaching music by composers of Asian heritage. 1. Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Debussy first heard the gamelan at the…
-
Five Things You Might Not Know About Cécile Chaminade
Don’t miss Angela Miller-Niles’s Inspiring Artistry contribution about Chaminade’s Aubade, which includes information on how to effectively teach the piece, all the way from preparation to performance. 1. She was the first woman to receive the Légion d’honneur in 1913. The Légion d’honneur is the highest French order of merit. At 56, Chaminade was enjoying…
-
This Week in Piano History: The Concert with an Audience of Legends (Including Liszt, Mendelssohn, and Wieck!)
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, Chopin had his premiere at the Salons de Pleyel in Paris on February 25, 1832.1 Chopin’s first concert after arriving in Paris, this debut marked one of the few times the Parisian public was able to hear Chopin’s performances. Chopin initially left Poland for a concert tour throughout Europe, but…
-
Effectively Teaching Young Students: Q&A with Sara Ernst
We invited our followers to submit questions for Sara Ernst about effectively teaching young students to practice. Today, Sara is answering those questions! We encourage you to read Sara’s article, “Practicing Alongside Our Intermediate Students,” in the Winter 2022 issue of Piano Magazine. Additionally, enroll in our self-guided, online course titled The Beginner Course: Establishing…
-
This Week in Piano History: The King of Etudes
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the birth of pianist and composer Carl Czerny who was born on February 21, 1791. Although primarily known for his numerous etudes, Czerny was a prolific composer publishing over 800 works with opus numbers. Czerny was born into a middle class family in Vienna, Austria. His father, Wenzel…
-
Five Ideas for Choosing a Spring Recital Theme
We encourage you to watch Holly Kessis’ archived webinar here: “Piano Inspires… Innovation in Practice“ with Igor Lipinski, Brianna Matzke, Joy Morin, Melody Ng, Jason Sifford, and Jennifer Snow. This webinar is a celebration of innovation in organizations, teaching practices, and teacher education. 1. Less is more. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with ideas, so…
-
This Week in Piano History: The Ragtime “Scott” You Might Not Know
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the birth of major ragtime composer James Sylvester Scott who was born on February 12, 1885. Scott produced a number of hits including Ophelia Rag, Frog Legs Rag, and Grace and Beauty. Originally from Neosho, Missouri, Scott was born to former slaves James Scott Sr. and Molly Thomas…
-
What We Can Learn From Historical Pianos: Q&A with Charlotte Tang
We recently invited our followers to submit questions for Charlotte Tang about historical pianos. Today, Charlotte is answering those questions! We encourage you to watch Charlotte’s Inspiring Artistry repertoire video on teaching Scarlatti’s Sonata in D Minor, K. 213. Join us on social media for the opportunity to have your questions on a variety of…
-
This Week in Piano History: The Pianist Who Could Crack a Joke
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we remember the debut of The Victor Borge Show on NBC-TV on February 3, 1951. Borge’s brilliant comedic routines brought humor to the classical music concert hall in ways previously not experienced. Born in Copenhagen, Borge’s musical studies with his parents, who were both musicians. His father supervised his early…
