Every Good Boy Does Fine by Jeremy Denk - Reading Together - Chapters 5 and 6

In chapters 5 and 6 of Every Good Boy Does Fine, Jeremy Denk chronicles his family’s move to New Mexico and the pivotal apprenticeship with his demanding professor, William Leland. These chapters capture the transition from precocious hobbyist to disciplined student, exploring how intense technical accountability reshapes a pianist’s internal life. Denk couples sharp adolescent memories (navigating strict score annotations and high-stakes regional auditions) with vivid harmonic lessons on chord voicings and resolution. The result is an evocative study of artistic growth, perfectionism, and the mentors who unlock the emotional weight of classical form.

If you want to delve into more artistry and practice habits with your students, here are some resources to do that.

- Art of Piano Pedagogy (Dr. Mortensen / Cedarville): Masterclass Technical Demonstrations: Leland’s strict regime addresses physical hand posture and deliberate, unhurried practice habits. Dr. Christopher Mortensen’s video demonstrations break down technical mechanics (such as forearm rotation, relaxed finger weight, and thumb crossings) into practical exercises teachers can assign for home review.
- Practising the Piano: Founded by concert pianist and pedagogue Graham Fitch, this site offers deep-dive articles, step-by-step practice routines, and score-based video tutorials designed to help teachers train students to practice independently and analytically.
- Pianodao: This website features an extensive library of free articles covering curriculum development, the psychology of motivation and play, and detailed reviews of classical sheet music and method series across elementary to advanced levels.
- Practicing Efficiently: Joy Morin explains that productive practice requires clearing mental clutter and establishing consistent warm-ups. Instead of mindlessly running through repertoire, students must be explicitly taught how to practice: isolating problem measures, working hands separately, and verifying improvements step-by-step.

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I've published five piano music books and one guitar music book. Get them here. Sign up here for my free monthly newsletter! Connect with me on Instagram and Pinterest.