Category: Technique

Teaching Pedal Technique at Every Level

9/30/2024

Have you ever wished there was a systematic way to introduce your students to the damper pedal? Are you looking for repertoire that will help to build your students' pedal technique at every level of their development?

Then today's article is for you! Read on as I discuss how (and when) to introduce the damper, sostenuto, and una corda pedals and which pedal techniques your students need to know at each level of their development!

I will also be sharing specific pieces from my own catalog that will help pianists at each level practice these pedal techniques and be on their way to becoming pedaling pros.

Read on for more...

2 Comments

5 Ways to Help Students Who Struggle With Tension

12/11/2023

2 Comments

Flying fingers, hunched shoulders, arm pain...these can all be signs that a student is struggling with tension in their playing.

Helping students learn to identify and release tension is important. Playing with tension is not only uncomfortable, it can affect the quality of sound our students produce as well as make it more difficult for them to play their pieces correctly. Over time, playing with excess tension can even lead to injury!

In today's article, I am sharing 5 ways you can help students who are struggling with tension. These are techniques that I actually like to use with every single student, since these are healthy habits that can help any student prevent problems in their playing down the road.

Keep reading to learn more....

2 Comments

5 Tips for Introducing Two-Octave Scales

10/8/2023

0 Comments

Do you have students who struggle when transitioning from playing one-octave scales to playing two-octave scales? You're not alone!

Playing scales in multiple octaves can be tricky, but there are a few tips and tricks that can definitely make the process easier.

Read on for 5 tips that will make introducing two-octave scales easier for both you and your students!

0 Comments

Musicianship Monthly #18: Scale Skills Review

8/27/2022

2 Comments

The start of a new school year means the return of the "Musicianship Monthly" series!

What is "Musicianship Monthly?" Each month, I share links to free resources you can use to focus on a specific musicianship skill with your students. Want to see past skills we have covered? Click HERE!

For September, we are focusing on a skill that is sure to have gotten a little rusty over the summer...scales!

Keep reading for several free resources you can use to get your students reviewing their scales to kick off the year....

2 Comments

The Fundamentals of Phrasing

3/25/2022

0 Comments

Do you struggle with teaching phrasing? If so, you are not alone!

Unlike wind players and vocalists, pianists don’t have to coordinate their breathing with the musical phrases they are playing. This makes teaching the concept (and importance) of phrasing to our students a bit more difficult.

In today’s post, I will be sharing tips for teaching phrasing, starting with fundamental skills that can be taught from the very first lesson.

Keep reading for more about teaching the fundamentals of phrasing!

0 Comments

<<Previous

Teaching Pedal Technique at Every Level

5 Ways to Help Students Who Struggle With Tension

5 Tips for Introducing Two-Octave Scales

Musicianship Monthly #18: Scale Skills Review

The Fundamentals of Phrasing

Author

Archives

Categories