Beethoven on Social Media: Teaching Advice
I encountered the following tidbit on Twitter last week and it immediately sent my thoughts whirling. It is from one of the letters of Beethoven. In it Beethoven gives advice…
The Improvising Pianist: Spontaneity and the 24 Hour Piece
Ever try to write a complete, self-contained piece at one sitting?!? For most of us, this kind of precociousness probably brings up images of someone like Mozart. “I couldn’t possibly…
Phrasing in Color
I love answering questions! In a earlier post, One Musical Leaf Falling I talked about using color to depict phrasing. This post is a follow up to answer a super question…
Vintage PA: One Musical Leaf Falling
A few years ago, my husband and I took a daytrip to Madera Canyon, near Tucson. At 5000 plus feet, the aspens were just losing the last of their leaves.…
The Adaptable Pianist: Purpose & Interest for the Elderly
In 2017, seniors entering rehabilitation and assisted living centers have two distinct differences from those entering in previous years, 1) everyone has most likely learned to type, 2) everyone has…
Annual PA Mega Holiday Listening
Merry Christmas to everyone and many, many thanks for reading! Please enjoy this edition of my annual holiday listening list. Blessings to you all! Anderson & Roe: Sleigh Ride Charlie Albright:…
Piano Maker’s Corner: A New Opus
There’s really nothing like a daunting and risky challenge to get the creative juices flowing and last September an unexpected opportunity provided just that. Polo Piatti - Musical Director at the…
Playing With Wolfgang: Gershwin, Lecuona, & Messiaen Meet Artistic Process
"I don’t see why you chose that artwork," she said. "There is plenty of 20th Century art that would match these pieces and the time they were written much better."…