In this issue
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
Video: A valuable tool for teachers
Playing the piano is much like driving a car. When you drive a car, you have a destination in mind, and you focus your attention simultaneously…
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
Practical tips for video recording your teaching
What app(s) do you use for recording video on your smartphone or tablet? Stella: On my Android phone and tablet, I usually use the app that…
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
Alan Fraser discusses piano technique
It must have been something in the air, in the early years of the last century. From Australia to Israel, independent thinkers were looking for solutions to…
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
Steps to teaching improvisation
If you are a regular reader of this column, you probably already teach creativity alongside traditional reading skills. However, if you are wondering how to structure…
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
An arranging workshop
Time certainly flies when you're having fun. I realized this year that my first published arrangement was copyrighted in 1984. Math was never one of my…
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
The great compensator
A full range of expressive gestures evocative of other instruments is always at our disposal. We pianists are constantly grappling with the fact that our instrument…
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
Finding the “soul” of your foot: The nuances of pedaling
When I was a young piano student, I reveled in the joy of hearing two clashing harmonies blur together under one pedal. In my teenage years, much like…
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
A heavenly, bravura piece
I am often confronted with the need for intermediate literature that will not only motivate students, but cover up any deficiencies they might have (I am…
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
How to determine your rates and profitability
Implementing a tuition structure that yields a consistent monthly income will ensure a comfortable income only if the chosen tuition rate is reasonable.1 Whether you are…
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
The legacy of Guy Duckworth
Dr. Guy Duckworth, a pioneer of group piano pedagogy, died on January 27, 2015, at the age of 91. He was my professor in the unique…
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
Problem solved! Seeking solutions online. Part 1: Blogs
As a pedagogy professor, I try to keep my students abreast of the latest publications and teaching approaches, maintain an up-to-date pedagogy library, and offer flexible…
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
What happens in Vegas should NOT stay in Vegas!
I am writing this just after returning from Las Vegas, where I attended some wonderful programs at the 2015 Music Teachers National Association Conference. I also presented…
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
July/August 2015: Questions and Answers
Sam Holland In March of 2015, I was surprisingly blessed to receive MTNA's Teacher of the Year Award. So many people wrote to me after the…