Category Archives: General

Step back from the panic

Posted on May 20, 2013 by

Exams start in two weeks. Some students will be ready. Some will not. I’m in a state of panic. And not quite sure why some students are not experiencing the same. I have to look back on the last few … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Piano pedagogy, Studio News | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Decipher the handwriting. And more.

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

“You have survived this season’s run of music festivals and competitions. You have your certificate. Maybe you even earned an award. Perhaps now you’re asking yourself, “Now what?” Please bring your written adjudication sheet(s) to your next music lesson … Your … Continue reading →

Posted in Examinations, General, Performance, Piano pedagogy | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Write the blues instead

Posted on May 12, 2013 by

“I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.” ~Duke Ellington Thank you, Kathleen, for playing the blues. You sound awesome. And thank you for pointing me to San Francisco Bay Blues by Eva Cassidy. Love … Continue reading →

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I’m as busy as I want to be

Posted on May 7, 2013 by

I saw a cute snack idea once. Get ice-cream cones (in the middle of December); mix up some cake batter; pour some of the mix into each cone and bake. Then decorate. In a Christmas theme, obviously. Voila! Cute ice-cream … Continue reading →

Posted in Business of Teaching, General | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The Piano

Posted on May 2, 2013 by

A touching short video. Better viewed in the freshness of a new day than at the end of a long, emotional day … You have to love it when an attempt is made to co-ordinate the fingers on the keys … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Music Videos, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

It is cruel that music should be so beautiful

Posted on April 28, 2013 by

“It is cruel, you know, that music, that music should be so beautiful. It has the beauty of loneliness and of pain: of strength and freedom. The beauty of disappointment and never-satisfied love. The cruel beauty of nature, and everlasting … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Inspirational, Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Undisciplined. Irreverent. Original.

Posted on April 26, 2013 by

I suppose we could take issue with the word and idea of “undisciplined” here – but let’s go for the spirit of the thing! ____________________________________________________________ Quote: Richard Feynman via wroat

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“Where the body goes, the spirit follows”

Posted on April 17, 2013 by

“If you want to (play), plant your backside in front of the (piano). Don’t get up from the (bench), no matter how many brilliantly-plausible reasons your Resistance-churning brain presents to you. Sooner or later your fingers will settle onto the keys. … Continue reading →

Posted in Beethoven, General, Inspirational, Practice Tips, Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Language is unable to explain music

Posted on April 15, 2013 by

“No matter how painfully exact music might be notated nor how carefully protected from double meanings by indications of tempi, dynamics, phrases, accents, etc., it always contains hidden elements which cannot be clearly defined, for language is unable to explain … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Inspirational, Music History, Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I get stirred up inside

Posted on April 13, 2013 by

I listen to music when I run. Which is pretty common. Most runners I see are plugged in. I tend to listen to pretty much the same stuff every time – a collection of some old rock from the 70s, … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Art is dangerous.

Posted on April 6, 2013 by

“Art is dangerous. It is one of the attractions: when it ceases to be dangerous you don’t want it.” ~Duke Ellington ______________________________________________________________ Image: Santango. This Tumblr blog includes an impressive playlist of tangos. Perfect Saturday music! Related post: Duke Ellington … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Inspirational, Quotes, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Never give up

Posted on April 4, 2013 by

When he was 2 years old, he fell out of a second story window and fractured his skull When he was 6 years old, he mistakenly drank boric acid. When he was 9 years old, he fell over a small … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Inspirational, Music History | Tagged , , | 1 Comment