“How tough should this be?” I often will hear people say “This shouldn’t be so hard” with regard to piano technique . . . so my question is always “How hard should it be? Who ever determined that!?” Instead of comparing ourselves to others, or an imaginary idea of how […]
Another video for y’all today. Topics in this video include: Persistence and patience even though bad habits keep coming back. Focusing on one new habit at a time. Remember why you play the piano (aka enjoying the process!) Hanging out on those plateaus where you feel like you’re not progressing. […]
The most obvious benefit of metronome work is, of course, that it emphasizes accurate counting and a regular beat. And more, there is truly something unique about that consistent, even aggravating, click that lends itself so well to woodshedding – it is our musical bread and butter. But another aspect […]
In every task, the subconscious and conscious mind have specific roles to play, and a confusion of these roles can lead to less-than-optimal results. In ideal piano playing–where there is effortless flow– the simplest way I can state it is this: the subconscious mind sends information up, the conscious mind […]
I know I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: all other things the same, daily participation in your child’s practice is the number one predictor of music lesson success. What does it mean to practice with a child? The words “go practice” are simply not enough – especially with […]
“What do I do when my child doesn’t want to practice? ” Piano teachers hear this question a lot. I think it implies a more fundamental question: What is the nature of a child’s wants and desires? The answer to this question can lead to two different parenting approaches: One […]
Regarding my last post on repetition, it’s good to know that even Aristotle agrees with me: It is from the same causes and by the same means that every excellence is both produced and destroyed, and similarly every art; for it is from playing the lyre that both good and […]
Playing a musical instrument is a complex task. Almost anyone could practice on a daily basis. But without guidance, there’s a good chance this practice won’t be beneficial in the long run. When a child learns to walk, for instance, he gets immediate feedback as to whether he’s doing something […]
Why am I such a mean teacher? One of my favorite things to do is have my students transpose small pieces and exercises into different keys. This is usually met with a fair amount of resistance. But, I insist, it is one of the BEST ways of really understanding the […]
There are no quick worthwhile results. Extreme amounts of repetition are necessary. Poor execution causes more harm than good. A stupid approach means years of frustration and wasted time. Each session is best planned in advance. Showing off is detrimental to real progress. More time is spent worrying than doing. […]