Cartwheels, Piano Style
“Oh! It’s like a cartwheel with my fingers,” she said. Oh, yes she did. We have been working on learning our penta-scales and chord patterns in all keys. She has…
Memory: Brain vs. Body
I'd like to weigh in on this memory thing. I've read some pretty caustic posts over the years, mostly bemoaning the loss of discipline in piano study as evidenced by…
Vintage PA: Because Scales
I remember trying to learn scales hands together. Four in one hand then 3 in the other my teacher said. F is like C except there is a 4 on…
Vintage PA: Body Parts, Chocolate, & Equality
I often have the privilege of judging and evaluating piano piano competitions and festivals. It is a joy to hear all levels of pianists dig deep and play their very…
Great Finds: Stories, Technique, & Pianism
Stories, Images, and Magic from the Piano Literature Neil Rutman From Bach to Scarlatti, to Beethoven, to Schubert, to Granados, to Prokofiev, these 190 pages will inspire pianists of all…
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…
Managing The Body That You Have
This week, cellist Julian Lloyd Weber announced that he will no longer perform on account of worsening spinal disease in his neck which has caused his right arm to weaken. "After…
Scales. What? Double Thirds
I loved hearing about how you all teach scales and your plans to incorporate the paired fingerings from Scales. What? into your personal practice and teaching. JP and Marie, among others,…