The Piano Teacher Resource website is offering a free circle of 5ths diagram in wonderful bright colors for a limited time! We use the circle of 5ths all the time in the studio for learning and understanding keys and key signatures, so I think my students will enjoy this colorful version!
Solution-Oriented Teaching
In the current (Fall 2011) issue of Listen music magazine, I was greatly inspired by an instructional approach advocated by David Robertson, music director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. In his interview with Ben Finane he has this to say: “One thing that I have found is very helpful – and I wish that […]
A Wonderful Piano Improvisation Project
Anyone who’s been reading here very long knows that I’m practically in love with the Pattern Play series by Forest and Akiko Kinney. So I was thrilled to recently come across this fabulous improvisation project that Anne Crosby Gaudet used with her students! Read the post for a complete description of how she set the […]
Monday Mailbag – Music Magazines
I have never ordered music/piano magazines and would like to get started. What’s your advice? Here are the three that I receive and really enjoy: American Music Teacher – automatically included in MTNA membership; lots of great articles and current info. Clavier Companion – good interviews, teaching tips, etc. Listen – a more generic music […]
Young People’s Concerts
Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a Young People’s Concert put on by our Wichita Symphony Orchestra. I have been organizing a group of homeschoolers to attend for several years now and this was by far the best production I’ve ever seen! Here’s a shot from our seats in the box! After some […]
Crafting and guiding interpretations of great beauty and expressive power
Isn’t that a beautiful aim for every musician? It comes from a column by Thomas Lanners in the recent e-newsletter put out by The 3-D Piano Method. His piece, More Virtues of Letting Go, eloquently expresses the importance of patiently working with students to help them give up control in order to achieve greater musicality. […]
