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. […]
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 […]
I’m currently re-reading an excellent little book by George Leonard called Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment. I’ve read it several times now and have a few short posts coming up on it. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning any craft, skill,art — or […]
Here's an element of piano playing that I think many people are unaware of. To develop a really refined technique, you need to be very sensitive to the *feel* of your hands on the keys. This means, the the tactile sensation of your fingertips, the weight of the keys, the […]
Hi Pianobloggers! Yes I'm still alive, contrary to rumor, and much to the chagrin of any students who would like to get out of lessons this week. My latest project has taken me away from the blog for a few days, as I've been planning a small pamphlet on piano […]
Piano competitions can be a real pain in the ass. Not just for the competitors, which is obvious, but for teachers as well. Placing well often this means playing a piece somewhat conservatively at, say, 80% of a student’s technical capacity. But improving can often mean practicing something at 90%, […]
Along the lines of the previous post, here’s a quick tip: If your practice isn’t “sticking”, maybe you aren’t doing enough “reps”. Many people will take my advice on working in small sections, but won’t repeat enough. They’ll figure out how to get through a section, repeat it maybe once, […]
Do you get your fingers mixed up when you play scales? Here’s a quick tip. Say the fingers to yourself in groups as you play, instead of one finger at a time. For instance if you’re playing the F Major scale, don’t think: 1 on F, 2 on G, 3 on A […]