To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Craig Sale, we are spotlighting his extensive scholarship and research published by The Frances Clark Center. Craig Sale is a pianist, teacher, workshop clinician, adjudicator, author, and editor. For thirty years he served as Director of the Preparatory and Community Piano Program at Concordia University Chicago where he also taught university courses in piano pedagogy. He was a pedagogy student of Frances Clark and Louise Goss. Read more below to learn about his work on foundational pedagogy, teaching concepts, motivation, and more.
COURSE: FOUNDATIONAL PIANO PEDAGOGY (SELF-GUIDED)
The Foundational Piano Pedagogy (Self-Guided) course presents essential pedagogical concepts for teachers of all experience and expertise levels. The course includes five different modules that cover everything from learning theories to improving communication practices to ideas from Frances Clark herself! Learn more by clicking here: https://pianoinspires.com/course/foundational-piano-pedagogy-self-guided/.
WEBINAR: LET’S TALK TEACHING: SOME BASICS ABOUT LEARNING, MOTIVATION, AND COMMUNICATION
In this webinar, Craig Sale shares his secrets to piano teaching success with tips about learning theories, how to communicate with parents and students effectively, and how to motivate students to achieve success in the studio and beyond. Watch the full webinar here: https://pianoinspires.com/webinar/some-basics-about-learning-motivation-and-communication/.
WEBINAR: CONCEPT PREPARATION: THE MISSING LINK
One of the most important aspects of great piano teaching is the presentation and mastery of new concepts. In this webinar, Craig Sale provides tips for helping students understand concepts accurately from the beginning using Frances Clark’s “Sound-Feel-Sign-Name” approach that has revolutionized music teaching around the world. Discover the power of concept preparation here: https://pianoinspires.com/webinar/the-missing-link/.
MAGAZINE ARTICLE: BREAKING OUT OF THE HOUSE OF CORRECTIONS
If piano lessons have become an endless stream of correcting learned mistakes, this article will revolutionize your approach to teaching. Craig Sale discusses his strategies to help students understand concepts correctly from the beginning, while also helping them master their pieces accurately from the first practice session. Absorb these strategies in this article: https://pianoinspires.com/article/breaking-out-of-the-house-of-corrections/.
VIDEO: KABALEVSKY: RUNNING ALONG, OP. 39, NO. 6
Dmitri Kabalevsky’s pedagogical piano music has captivated and motivated generations of piano students. In this Inspiring Artistry video, Craig Sale explores “Running Along,” Op. 39, No. 6, which is appropriate for intermediate-level pianists. In the video he provides tips on preparing, practicing, and polishing this piece. Watch the video here: https://pianoinspires.com/video/kabalevsky-running-along-op-39-no-6/.
VIDEO: HOW DOES A STUDENT MASTER NEW CONCEPTS?
Refine your concept teaching approach with tips on presentation, preparation, and follow through from Craig Sale. Based on Frances Clark’s ideas on piano teaching, this video lecture provides ideas to help make sure every student understands and executes learning objectives with ease. View this lecture here: https://pianoinspires.com/video/how-can-a-student-master-new-concepts/.
BONUS MAGAZINE ARTICLE: EXCEPTIONAL LIVES IN MUSIC: A LOOK AT THE FRANCES CLARK CENTER 2025 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREES
In 2025, Craig Sale received The Frances Clark Center Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing his impact and scholarship in the field of piano pedagogy. With a career spanning from the New School for Music Study to present day, Craig Sale has inspired and educated pianists and piano teachers worldwide. Read more about his transformative impact here: https://pianoinspires.com/article/exceptional-lives-in-music-a-look-at-the-frances-clark-center-2025-lifetime-achievement-award-honorees/.
Want to learn more about Craig Sale? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Sale on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or our website!
MORE ON CRAIG SALE
- VIDEO: What Off-Bench Activities Can I Use to Teach Triads & Inversions by Craig Sale
- WEBINAR: Let’s Talk Teaching: Some Basics about Learning, Motivation, and Communication with Craig Sale
- WEBINAR: Concept Preparation: The Missing Link with Craig Sale
- VIDEO: Dotted Quarter Eighth Note Rhythm by Scott Donald, Andrea McAlister, and Craig Sale
- VIDEO: How Do I Introduce a Concept by Sound First? by Craig Sale
- PIANO MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Exceptional Lives In Music: A Look at the Frances Clark Center 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees by Pamela Pike
- PIANO MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Breaking Out of the House of Corrections by Craig Sale
- VIDEO: Kabalevsky: Running Along, Op. 39, No. 6 by Craig Sale
- VIDEO: How Does a Student Master New Concepts? by Craig Sale
- ONLINE COURSE: Foundational Piano Pedagogy (Self-Guided)
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