Stepping Off The Page: Starting An Improv Vocabulary
Stepping Off the Page is a monthly column written by Deanna Witkowski for Piano Addict. Have you ever thought about how little children will hum or sing melodies that they improvise…
Playing With Wolfgang: Random & Awkward Redeemed
I remember a feeling of complete frustration and incomprehension. It happened frequently during my undergraduate years. But two incidents really stand out from the rest. The music? Liszt’s Sonetto 104…
Charging The Enemy
The fortune read: Keep on charging the enemy so long as there is life. I pinned the scrap of paper to the bulletin board beside my desk where, every so…
PA Shorts: It’s Warming Up!
This spring I have been busy judging young pianists' evaluations. I love hearing them play. Some are very worried that they are not warmed up and make sure I know…
PA Shorts: Did I Do Good?
I have been doing some judging for various evaluation programs this spring. I love hearing the students. Mostly they are proud of their accomplishments but a little nervous too. I…
Vintage PA: Middle Parts & Orphans
“I’ve played piano for over 30 years and nobody has ever told me to start in the middle of a measure,” said one of my adult students one week. She…
We Don’t Need No Stinking Board Games
“We don’t play board games in my studio.” I’ve been told this many times over the years. The reasons have varied. Piano learning is serious business. I don’t have time…
Teaching To The Test: A Rant
One of my adult students, whose grandchildren are taking piano lessons, came to me with concerns that the children were not doing anything in their lessons that wasn’t a part…