In this issue
January 2010; Vol. 2, No. 1
Seeds for the future
Fallow periods. Farmers know every crop field needs them. The earth cannot sustain continuous growth. Why then do we humans think we can? Unflagging effort creates…
January 2010; Vol. 2, No. 1
A question of focus
"What is the future of piano pedagogy?" An astute teacher asked me this in the last session at the end of a three-day conference. It stopped…
January 2010; Vol. 2, No. 1
Competitions: Pinnacles and Pitfalls – An interview with Daniel Pollack
A prizewinner in the first Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition (1958), Daniel Pollack was invited, following the competition, for a two-month concert tour throughout the Soviet Union,…
January 2010; Vol. 2, No. 1
The state of international piano competitions: A “frenzy for attention”
Against considerable odds, serious piano study appears to be thriving worldwide. Talented youngsters from East and West continue to crowd into conservatories and study standard repertoire,…
January 2010; Vol. 2, No. 1
Preparing for competitions
Piano instruction in France I grew up in France, where the system of piano instruction is totally different from that of the United States. It is…
January 2010; Vol. 2, No. 1
How do you work on improvisation in your group classes?
Improvisation activities with your group classes can be surprisingly effective. Working with their peers can help encourage and motivate students to try out different ideas and…
January 2010; Vol. 2, No. 1
A survey of current methods: Piano Discoveries
This issue continues Clavier Companion’s survey of piano methods.1 Each article in the series has several sections. The first section is a synopsis written by the Associate Editor. This synopsis…
January 2010; Vol. 2, No. 1
When using an intervallic approach, how do you develop faster note recognition? – Expanding on the “blueprint”
If were asked to name the most frequent mistake made by teachers, I would cite the belief that a method or set of materials is complete…
January 2010; Vol. 2, No. 1
Donald Waxman: An American Classic
"Are all piano composers dead?" my student asked. The question seemed a bit ironic since we had just finished working on a folk song that was…
January 2010; Vol. 2, No. 1
The recession-resistant studio, Part II
According to follow-up reports from Music Teachers National Association members, the impact of the economic crisis on piano studios continues to be related to similar criteria…