Have you ever thought about playing the piano? On almost a daily basis I interact with adults who express interest in the fact that I teach piano lessons. It's very common for them to tell me that they've always wanted to play the piano or that they wished they had stuck with it as a kid. But, then they usually go on to tell me reasons why the can't learn the piano at this stage of their … [Read more...] about 9 Reasons Why Adults CAN (And Should) Learn Piano
Thinking About Music
Overcoming Piano Recital Disappointment
As I was writing my Parent’s Guide To Piano Recitals, I started to include the topic of feeling dissapointed that many students experience after a performance. It’s an important and overlooked topic, so I wanted to give it the attention it deserves with it’s very own post. One aspect of playing the piano that nobody ever talks about is this strange feeling of let down that can happen after a … [Read more...] about Overcoming Piano Recital Disappointment
Peeling Away The Piano Practice Layers
As a piano teacher, a big part of my job is to coach my students and their parents on how to make the most of their practice time at home. I think most people understand that it's their job to go home and play their music in between lessons. This is a really good start, but it turns out that practicing music is a multi-faceted activity. Yes, playing music is the goal. But, there's a … [Read more...] about Peeling Away The Piano Practice Layers
6 Ways To Reduce Stress With Music
We lead such busy lives that it's really important to find ways to relax and reduce the stress that we experience each day. Music is the perfect outlet for escaping a hectic day, and it's something that you can easily incorporate into everyday. Chances are, music is already a part of your day, but it never hurts to try new things or to start being more intentional about your current … [Read more...] about 6 Ways To Reduce Stress With Music
Conceptual Teaching – An Overview
My teaching today has been strongly influenced by my grad school professor Dr. Sylvia Coats, as well as her teacher Dr. Guy Duckworth. Before I arrived at Wichita State University to work on my Masters in Piano Pedagogy, I was a piano teacher who was very tied to a method book. I taught one page after another, I gave clumsy explanations of concepts exactly as they appeared in the book and I … [Read more...] about Conceptual Teaching – An Overview
How To Succeed At The Piano – Advice From The Pros
When many people become interested in learning the piano, whether young or old, there's usually a hint of fear, nervousness or uncertainty about trying something new. As a piano teacher, one of my biggest goals is to help people feel successful and comfortable every step of the way. Really, there's absolutely nothing to worry about when learning the piano! It's always admirable to learn a new … [Read more...] about How To Succeed At The Piano – Advice From The Pros