This years Piano Olympic games are more exciting than ever. This year there is a ski lodge, ski lift, snowy mountain and a curling ice rink, too. (You might have to be Canadian to know what that is!) Here is a newsletter I created to send to parents to share why I do what [...]
Continue reading about Winter Piano Olympics 2010 Have Begun!
I’ve been playing the piano for 28 years. I grew up with teachers showing me how to practice hands separately. I learned the value of isolating difficult spots playing one hand at a time and I know it produces amazing results. But then I cut my thumb! While improperly using a paper cutter for a [...]
Continue reading about Injury Sheds New Light on Old Topic….Practicing Hands Separately
I’m always looking for ways to engage my students in music centered activities. And with today’s electronic gadgets competing for their interest, I’ve got to stay on my toes! In 2010 I will be teaching my students about simple rhythmic and melodic motifs and how repetition and variation create interest. Of course, I won’t be [...]
Piano Olympics is a fun way to get students motivated. Here is a new idea for the upcoming Feb. 2010 Olympics. (Also, check out my first post on Olympics in the Piano Studio This winter I will create a winter mountain that rises and drops steeply. Then I’ll set colored flag markers for each of [...]
Two summers ago I created an Olympic poster complete with colored rings and a large grid with each student’s name. I made 48 tasks (A real Olympic feat!) and a colored star system representing how many attempts were needed to accomplish each task. Gold was for first try, of course, and then I had 5 [...]
Many of my students love to draw and color. A new practice I’ll be starting in January 2010 is to have my youngsters draw, color, paint, collage, etc one picture for every day that they practice during the week. All they have to do is create a picture that represents how that practice session was [...]
Continue reading about Combining Art and Music in the Piano Studio
I did not create this practice method, but would like to give credit to Helen Marlais. It was in her publication that I first saw it in print. This is a GEM for students of all ages. The rule is simple: Once you’ve chosen a section of music (a measure or more), you practice slow [...]
I offer a trial lesson before a student can officially sign up for lessons with me. It gives me a chance to meet them, ask them personal questions and see how they interact with their parents. I get a chance to explain my philosophy and approach as well as make it very clear what is [...]