Music — Another Way to Play
For jazz musicians, music very much encompasses the full range that language does, from informal conversation to polished performance. We can do that with our native language because we are fluent in our native language. Jazz musicians are fluent in the language of jazz.
Pumpkin Squeeze
Building on Pumpkin Hand Piano and Pumpkin Tapping, Pumpkin Squeeze gets students to feel their hand and fingers working together. I really could not be happier with the
Pumpkin Tapping
In last week’s post, Pumpkin Hand Piano I presented the use of a pumpkin as a metaphor and prop for teaching kids how to use their
Pumpkin Hand Piano
Perhaps the greatest struggle young beginning piano students have is with learning to use their fingers effectively. Teacher’s have generally agreed that curved fingers are
Have You Ever…?
Empathy is a valuable ability for us to develop, and I believe making music and empathy are related. At its most basic empathy is being
How Do You Judge Success?
I have had students place first in competitive contests. I’ve had students earn the highest rating of Superior Plus in Piano Guild auditions playing a National program
Detective Work
Names in this post have been changed to preserve the privacy of those involved. John is a great student. He’s had the benefit of growing
When Hard is Easy
The conundrum many young (4-7), beginning piano students face is that ineffective practice is easy, but is also soon boring and frustrating because it’s ineffective.
Practice Tools
If you don’t have an ax or a saw, you might “cut” a tree down by building a fire on the ground around its trunk.