As part of my practice incentive theme this year, students have the option to do an audio or video recording of them playing one of their pieces. Just about every student today has the tools to do recordings on their own – via a digital camera with video recording capabilities, a phone, an ipod or […]
Monday Mailbag – Using Video with Your Students
I saw your YouTube station. Does it take a lot to have your own “station” where your students can view your stuff? Could you explain how you do it? How do you video students and have them view it on the spot? Do you do that? That would have to be done with a laptop, […]
Free Practice Guide for Beginning Music Students
Mike Saville, of the fabulous How to Practice blog, has put together a beautiful ebook called, “Complete Beginner’s Guide to Practice.” Once you register a free account on the site, you can download the colorful 55-page ebook for free. In addition to lots of great tips and inspirational quotes, the book contains handy lists and […]
Tips for Transfer Students
Gail L. Fischler, of the Piano Addict blog posted a very helpful series on “Essential Skills for the Transferring Developing Pianist.” Here are direct links to each of the three parts: Essential Skills for the Transferring Developing Pianist: Part One – covers the importance of warming up, listening to multiple performances, visualizing your playing on […]
Favorite Rote Teaching Pieces
Do you ever teach pieces to your students by rote? I have a couple of students that absolutely amaze me with their ability to watch me play something once and then repeat it almost perfectly and retain it in their memory all week long! Here are a few pieces that I frequently use for this […]
Review and Giveaway of Goal-Oriented Practice!
Within days of reading Gretchen Saathoff’s ebook, Goal-oriented Practice, I was already referring to it in conversations with students during their lessons. The 39-page book is an easy read – written in a conversational and easy-to-understand style. Sections of the book include: Your Practice Environment Warming Up Learning the Music You’re Off to a Good […]
