Thought-Provoking

I came across this article this afternoon as I was catching up on my e-mails. Definitely provokes some thought on new music.

Like a River Glorious

I have a new arrangement of Like a River Glorious out. Probably ideal for the intermediate student. Has a lot of 16th note arpeggios.
To order, click here.

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Legos Go Musical

Looking for a way to add something extra to your piano lessons? Here's an idea that's definitely outside of the box.

Use this idea with individual students or groups of students. Could also be a great idea for homeschool families or music classes.

Another quote from Tricia Tunstall

As stated previously, I've been reading Note by Note by Tricia Tunstall. Below is her exploration into the challenges of learning piano.

"As a student moves beyond the beginning stages, the issue of technique begins to loom large: developing proper hand a finger position, acquiring strength and independence of fingers, cultivating muscle control. An instrumentalist is an athlete. There is no way around the need for intense physical training; without it, the ability to play a Beethoven sonata is about as unlikely as the ability to pole-vault. But while pole-vaulters and soccer players and gymnasts usually practice together, a piano student practices his technical exercises alone, and it can feel like drudgery." (page 90)

Warm-Ups

I have posted a new sheet of warm-ups.

Let me take this opportunity of giving some benefits of having students practice warm-ups:

• it's a great way to start off a lesson in order to get the student thinking in terms of playing piano
• it builds up confidence and finger coordination
• it enables the student to spend some time focusing on timing and fingering since the melody is rather straightforward

Quote from Note by Note

I am currently reading Note by Note by Tricia Tunstall.

The following quote stood out to me:
"Piano lessons are not only about music but also about trust and confidence, chaos and order, spontaneity and discipline and patience, sometimes even about love . . . and once again, and always, about music: its beauty, its power, its capacity to convey profound emotions beyond the reach of words." (pg. 4)

New Guitar Etude

I have a new guitar etude available. Ideal for the beginner student. It covers the notes on the first three strings and also introduces the student to sharps.

To order, click here.

School Year 2010-2011

I have some openings in my teaching schedule for this coming school year. If you are looking for lessons, please contact me. Openings will be scheduled on a first-come first-serve basis. You might also want to take advantage of this coupon.