For our practice incentive theme this year (The Aquarium Caper), we are emphasizing developing rhythm skills, so I’ve been searching for a variety of rhythm games to include in our monthly piano group classes that will continue to reinforce rhythm knowledge and skills. For our last group class, I came across the free Rollin Rhythms […]
Teaching
Look Out for Low Notes Music Book for Kids is Here!
A couple of years ago I had the privilege of reviewing what has become my favorite kids book about music: Here Come the High Notes. It was the first in a series of books by Marin Marka of FableNotes, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting her second book ever since. Well, I’m thrilled to announce that […]
How to Teach Form and Memorization to Beginning Piano Students
Most of you know that I’m a huge fan of the Piano Safari method for teaching piano. I love the emphasis on rote learning, the early introduction of eighth note rhythms, and the systematic reading approach with the repertoire book and the sightreading and rhythm cards. I’ve also noticed that a number of songs very […]
New O Holy Night Early Intermediate Piano Duet
In the process of going through and decluttering my music files, I came across folders full of various arrangements I’ve written for students over the years. They were inspired by specific students who had favorite pieces they wanted to play – often for our big Christmas recital – and/or combinations of students, levels, and instruments […]
Organizing and Updating my Printed Piano Music Files plus Free File Folder Labels!
After being inspired by Amy’s post on organizing her printed piano music files (with very professional labels – why didn’t I ever think of that before?!), I began the much overdo task of reorganizing and weeding out my printed music files. (Turns out that posting about it did help spur me on to actually get […]
Pre-Order Jane Magrath’s New Book – Piano Literature for Teaching and Performance
When I first began teaching piano over 20 years ago, one of the first books that landed on my shelf of must-have piano teaching reference material was Jane Magrath’s Pianist’s Guide to Standard Teaching and Performance Literature. It was my go-to as students moved into intermediate level playing and I wanted to be sure to […]
