Pedal To The Metal
Ped. Signs Remember the old Bugs and Daffy cartoons where Bugs repeatedly tricks Daffy into saying “Shoot me now, shoot me now” and finally when Daffy realizes the trick he responds,…
Vintage PA: Fun Is A Policy
Recently, I read a thread on social media that truly disturbed me. The participants were united in their belief that music lessons are serious and anyone who has fun is…
Vintage PA: Uh…
A few seasons ago, on The Next Food Network Star, Alton Brown asked several contestants about the worst thing that could possibly happen during their demo. The answers were predictable- the…
Vintage PA: Jocularity! Jocularity!
Stuff happens. Life throws you curveballs just to see if you are paying attention. Music Life Lessons 101. We don’t always have the optimum conditions for practice, rehearsal or performance but…
Vintage PA: Piano Fail
I have done a lot of judging this spring. It is inspiring to hear young pianists who are doing their very best to make music and push their skills to the…
Vintage PA: Amateur Exploration 2
Yesterday''s wonderful post on amateur pianism by Fran Wilson, More Than Hobbyists, deserves some extra airtime. "...all the amateur pianists I have met and know play the piano because they…
Vintage PA: Chestnuts II, A Rubato Geek Vindicated
I think piano students can learn more from Frank Sinatra about phrasing and rubato than from most classical instrumentalists. — Stephen Hough (@houghhough) December 12, 2013 I couldn't agree more.…
Vintage PA: Yodeling Puff The Magic Dragon
It started with a performance of a method book piece with the word Yodel in the title. “It sounds weird,” said my young student, “and I don’t understand why that…