After attending our KMTA state conference last month, I was inspired anew by a session from my friend and colleague, Agniezska Lasko. Her session, Using Contemporary Compositional Techniques in Teaching Improvisation to Children, is one I could attend over and over again and probably gain new ideas every time! I came back to my studio […]
Improvising
Review of Extreme Heterophony by John Pitts
When composer John Pitts contacted me about reviewing his newest book, Extreme Heterophony: a study in javanese gamelan, I was intrigued for two reasons. Not, mind you, because I had any idea what it was about! But because, firstly, there has been an increased effort in the music education community to explore more diversity in […]
Free Piano Improvisation Training
Looking for some improvisation inspiration? Tomorrow morning from 10:00-10:45 (PST), Paula Dreyer, of the fabulous Little Gems for Piano book series, is offering a free training for anyone who wants to learn more, and become more adept at, improvising. All participants will receive free piano sheet music and handouts – always a perk! I’ve loved […]
Have You Seen Alma Deutscher at the Piano?
I recently came across this delightful video clip of Alma Deutscher improvising at the piano on four notes randomly selected from a hat. It’s fascinating to watch, and her personality is endearing. I’m enjoying listening to selections from the album she released last fall, “From My Book of Melodies.” Definitely a rising musician to keep […]
New Finds for Piano Lessons!
Is everyone busy gearing up for a new year of piano lessons? I am in brainstorming season right now as I develop lesson plans for each student, select repertoire that I hope they will love, and create a new practice incentive theme for the piano studio. There are a couple of fabulous new resources that […]
Group Piano Class Jam Session
One of my objectives with every group class (held monthly) is for students to not only perform for each other, but also to play music together. We accomplish this in various ways, but for our January group piano class, I thought it would be interesting to try having a jam session. This isn’t something we […]