Great Expectations
Saturday night I tripped in a parking lot and was instantly involved in a spectacular fall. No, contrary to rumors, I was not attacked by ninjas nor did I lay…
Busy Teens, Pattern Play, and Lyric Moments 3
Piano For Busy Teens, Melody Bober, Gayle Kowalchyk, Lancaster (2009 Alfred) The busy teenager presents a great challenge to all teachers. The busy teenager who started lessons in middle school…
Day After Day
Some time ago, I was at the checkout counter at the grocery store after 9 pm. It had been a long day of piano practice, a meeting, dog training, some…
Succeeding at the Piano
Recently, FJH Music Company released the first two levels of the new method Succeeding at the Piano, by Helen Marlais. The series is marketed as, “a comprehensive method that will…
Masterclasses Galore
Wow! Four masterclasses over the course of two days- what a conference! Masterclasses provide more learning opportunities than any other lesson format, I think. The student receives the benefit of another…
My Brain is Full
Arizona State Music Teachers Association is holding it's 81st Annual Conference this weekend in Tucson. So many old friends and some new ones! So many great new ideas and old…
Momentous Playing
The great comedian Bill Cosby said- Don’t play the moment- find the honesty in the moment. That is a mouthful for sure. I recently asked my students how they thought…
It Sounded Better At Home
"The really exciting part," said Eeyore in his most melancholy voice, "is that when I left it this morning it was there, and when I came back it wasn't.” We…