I have a question brought up by one of my students. She asked me if my back ever hurt after practicing for a long time. I told her yes, and then began to wonder if there was anything I could suggest for her to do to help it not hurt (and for me too!). I […]
Monday Mailbag
Monday Mailbag – Teaching 3/4 Time
How do you teach beginners ¾ time without having them pause and feel the nonexistent beat four? No matter how often I waltz around the room or count out loud emphasizing the first beat or even play the song for them, they still hold beat three twice as long as it should be. I’m starting […]
Monday Mailbag – Memorization Strategies
I have been pondering how to teach memorization to students who have a different learning style from me. I know exactly how I memorize, but if visualization is not working for one of my students what can I try? This is a great topic that I hope others will weigh in on as well! Most […]
Monday Mailbag – Teaching Hymn Improvisation
I’d like to know how you teach students about hymn improvisation! Do you have any teaching ideas? Thanks a lot! This is one of those things that I heard other pianists do growing up and always wanted to learn, but never could figure out how to do it. Gradually, through the years as I asked […]
Monday Mailbag – Piano Camp Logistics
I’ve perused your piano camp lesson plans and student workbook. They’re all very well done. I have some questions for you: 1) How do you schedule piano camp amidst summer private lessons? 2) What hours do you run the camp? 3) Are students able to take only a part of the camp and still know […]
Monday Mailbag – Getting Students to Practice
I have a lot of students who like piano but just don’t put in very much (if at all) time during the week practicing. Do you have any advice and/or programs for that? I am a very “user friendly” teacher, the kids all like me and I give them popular music they enjoy to go with good […]
