Category Archives: Piano pedagogy

With distractions this time

Posted on June 7, 2013 by

Performance Classes were held in my studio this week as preparation for the year-end recital. As usual, students were grouped roughly by age and level, although scheduling issues sometimes ended up taking precedence. After the first run-through of the recital … Continue reading →

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Was Mozart really a genius?

Posted on June 5, 2013 by

Bathed in an environment of music from birth, and blessed with an exceptionally good teacher (his father), Mozart was very good for his age. But a prodigy? A genius? He was pushed, prodded, and encouraged by his entire family to … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Piano pedagogy, Books about Music, Mozart, Music History | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Tetris, an ugly bump, and sight-reading

Posted on June 3, 2013 by

Thanks to good teaching I’ve never had a problem with tendinitis or any other pain in all the years I’ve been playing the piano. Thanks to Tetris, I have an ugly bump at the base of my thumb, which caused … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Piano pedagogy, Practice Tips, Sight Reading | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Viva la différence!

Posted on May 28, 2013 by

For teachers in Canada, there is a healthy, rich alternative to the ubiquitous exam system. Conservatory Canada is similar in the number of grades, theoretical subjects, general format, and credit in high schools. There are a number of striking differences … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadiana, Examinations, Piano pedagogy | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

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

30 seconds of terror

Posted on May 1, 2013 by

Time to Sight-Read on the exam. And get an easy 10 marks. Or not. You get about 30 seconds to look over the piece before starting. And once you start, you Just Don’t Stop. Forget about showing the examiner (or … Continue reading →

Posted in Piano pedagogy, Sight Reading, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

In the Technique Box – Part 3

Posted on April 16, 2013 by

In the box marked Advanced: 1. Essential Daily Exercises for Piano (Boris Berlin, pub Alfred). My go-to book for transfer students; a systematic approach to fixing or developing every aspect of technique. Organized in 20 sets (increasing in difficulty) of 14 … Continue reading →

Posted in Memory, Piano pedagogy, Practice Tips, Rhythm, Technic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Let the kids do the work

Posted on April 11, 2013 by

Performance classes this week. Focus: a good hand position. I harp about this week in and week out. Take pains to make sure they’re sitting correctly at the lesson with strict instructions to go home and do likewise. Give all … Continue reading →

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In the Technique Box – part 2

Posted on April 9, 2013 by

Intermediate technique books sitting on my shelf. May or may not ever be used … 1. Technic is Fun, Books One and Two  (compiled, edited and arranged by David Hirschberg, pub. Alfred). Classic studies that cover a wide range of … Continue reading →

Posted in Method Books, Piano pedagogy, Practice Tips, Studio News, Technic | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In the Technique Box* (part 1)

Posted on April 2, 2013 by

There are three boxes of technique books sitting on the shelf, organized according to the level: Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. These are used books. Stuff that I pull out for students as needed. My beginner and elementary students use the … Continue reading →

Posted in Method Books, Piano pedagogy, Practice Tips, Rhythm, Studio News, Technic | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Grouping backwards

Posted on March 19, 2013 by

The summer of 1995. My daughter was just a few months old. Mothers remember significant events by their pregnanices or ages of their children. I went to my first ever Piano Pedagogy workshop. Until that point my musical focus had … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspirational, Piano pedagogy, Practice Tips | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments