Today I am pleased to welcome Michael Griffin, author of the Music and Keyboard in the Classroom curriculum, to Music Matters Blog for an exclusive interview. Music Matters Blog (MMB): What prompted you to write your own classroom curriculum for your music classes? Why did you choose to emphasize keyboard studies? Michael Griffin (MG): For […]
Resource Reviews
Review of Music and Keyboard in the Classroom
It took me a while to get through it, but wow was it a lot of fun reviewing this Music and Keyboard in the Classroom curriculum by Michael Griffin. Even though I am an independent music teacher and this curriculum is designed to be used in a Middle School general music class, I found myself […]
Review: Legends and Lore
Composer Library Series: … This collection of Elementary-Early Intermediate Piano Solos is lots of fun! Composer Christine Donkin does an excellent job capturing the imagery her titles inspire. Here are my comments on each of the pieces: Royal Fanfare – A piece composed entirely of parallel 5ths, once the fingering is solidified this piece should […]
Review of Practiceopedia: The Music Student’s Illustrated Guide to Practicing
The moment it arrived, I was captivated by this full-color mammoth guide to practicing – Practiceopedia:The Music Student’s Illustrated Guide to Practicing. The 376 pages are chock-full of creative ideas to help students learn to practice effectively and conquer those tough spots in their pieces. I found myself reading through page after page, unable to […]
Glorious Christmas Music CD!
Wow! If you want to hear some of the most amazing Christmas music ever recorded, click on over to Nelidova Records and listen to the sample clips from the Christmas Fantastique CD! I love to have Christmas music playing around the house between Thanksgiving and the New Year, but sometimes I have a hard time […]
Review: Folksongs for Piano – A Classical Interpretation
Billed as “an alluring blend of folk and classical music that celebrate the wonderful melodies found in folk songs,” I enjoyed playing through this delightful collection of six folk songs. The book is arranged by Cheryl Shantz and the cover indicates that it includes “Graded Pieces at the Intermediate Level.” I must confess, though, it […]
