In this issue
Keyboard Companion Autumn 2007; Vol. 18, No. 3
An interview with Dan Coates: “A Place at the Table”
Dan Coates, perhaps the best-known popular music piano arranger in the world with thousands of arrangements to his credit, is noted for his outstanding contemporary arrangements…
Keyboard Companion Autumn 2007; Vol. 18, No. 3
You can’t lose with the blues
The blues has been an important part of American music for more than 100 years. In fact, no one truly knows exactly how or when this…
Keyboard Companion Autumn 2007; Vol. 18, No. 3
How does ‘experience before definition’ apply to your teaching of reading concepts?
The natural order of learning1 , as described by Piaget and specifically applied to music learning by Frances Clark2 , begins with the child hearing, feeling, and…
Keyboard Companion Autumn 2007; Vol. 18, No. 3
How Does Good Technique Relate to Ear Training?
Recognize this student? I confess. I'm not sure what to do about my student Roger. He's a nice boy. Tall (about 3 inches bigger than last year,…
Keyboard Companion Autumn 2007; Vol. 18, No. 3
What are some interesting rhythm challenges found in intermediate-level Scarlatti Sonatas?
The music of Scarlatti appears to be frequently overlooked by many teachers. It is more common to hear intermediate-level pianists playing much more of the music of…
Keyboard Companion Autumn 2007; Vol. 18, No. 3
How do you incorporate RMM into your teaching?
Editor's Note: In our Summer issue an interview with Karl Bruhn introduced many of us to the concepts of Recreational Music Making (RMM) and some of…
Keyboard Companion Autumn 2007; Vol. 18, No. 3
What is the effect of concerto playing on adult students?
I'm sure by now you have noticed that this year's focus in Adult Piano Study has been motivation. Research shows adults are intrinsically motivated - they like…
Keyboard Companion Autumn 2007; Vol. 18, No. 3
You consistently have high school students that play extremely difficult repertoire such as Chopin Ballades. How do you prepare them to play this difficult repertoire at such a young age?
I am amazed when I see high school students effortlessly playing advanced repertoire, and I have observed that certain teachers seem to constantly have students at…
Keyboard Companion Autumn 2007; Vol. 18, No. 3
A student’s view of the benefits of piano study
When a parent (or child) inevitably asks the questions "why piano lessons?", there are a variety of potential responses. From the purist music for music's sake perspective…
Keyboard Companion Autumn 2007; Vol. 18, No. 3
How do you use technology in the study of advanced literature?
Working with advanced students is challenging for many reasons, not the least of which is the issue of time management. As the students become more advanced,…