Often when I am teaching and practicing, I say or do something successful and think, “How did I know that?” Sometimes, I can mentally thank the person who blessed me with a particular tidbit. Other times I just throw a blanket thank you out to the universe. So, I collected some sage tidbits to share. It’s my way of giving thanks to all those who have helped and still help me along my way. Enjoy!

  1. Always pay attention to the long notes in Bach- especially the tied ones.
  2. My job as a teacher is to put myself out of a job, not to create dependence.
  3. Enjoy the McNamara rhythm in Beethoven’s music. It’s one of his favorites. (think Appassionata 2nd theme)
  4. Elaborate classical final cadences are like piling on in football.
  5. Play Poulenc as though you are sitting in a smoky bar at 2 am with a cigarette hanging out of your mouth.
  6. Accept the challenge of an etude don’t try to mitigate it.
  7. Muddiness can often be cured by pedaling the melody.
  8. When a passage sounds choppy, check to see if you are pedaling too soon and choking off the sound.
  9. Don’t hold over “gone” notes and spoil the harmonic rhythm.
  10. No amount of technical practice will be fruitful unless you are engaged creatively.
  11. Look for ways other than rolling to deal with chords that are two big for your hand.
  12. Always listen for the larger beat. Heavy, ponderous playing frequently has little to do with tempo and a lot to do with making every beat (or subdivision) the same weight.
  13. When dealing with ornaments, determine if their function is to sustain the line, move the music along, or hold the music back.
  14. Fingering in musical editions is a point of departure. It is also often stupid. (Remember, this didn’t originate with me:)
  15. Always celebrate humorous Beethoven.
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