I believe they are called “blanket statements”. “Taking piano lessons is good for you / your child / your IQ / etc.” You’ve heard it, perhaps tried to heed that advice. Maybe …
Piano Concerto Competition 2015
While many of my students studied a concerto over the last couple months, several of the older students were not able to compete yesterday due to sports events, ACT, etc. …
Making Music a Life Profession
The following article was published in the American Music Teacher, Aug-Sept, 1995. It is as relevant today as it was then. Dr. Virginia Houser, Kansas State University A friend of …
The amusic brain
an abstract from an article by Isabelle Peretz, Elvira Brattico, Miika Jarvenpaa, and Mari Tervaniemi in Brain. A Journal of Neurology Like language, music engagement is universal, complex and presentearly …
In Defense of Key Signatures, Accidentals, Double Sharps and Double Flats
In the February 2009 issue of American Music Teacher (AMT), published by the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) of which I am a member, there is under “Impromptu” a short …
Merry Christmas!
I’ve overheard teachers say, “Only a couple more students stand between me and my winter/summer/whatever break …” How sad is that? It makes the students sound like an obstacle, something …
Yamaha C7
When it comes to pianos, I am extremely picky. It took me many years to find the perfect grand piano. To me, the perfect piano has not only a wonderful …
The Flaxen-Haired Girl, passing a gallstone
Tonight, I went to hear a pianist perform an all-Debussy recital: all 24 Preludes; the first book before the intermission, second book after. Concerts that feature only one composer are always a …
Tendinitis
For more than two months now I’ve been struggling with tendinitis, and no, it’s not because I am a pianist / piano teacher. As I explained to a colleague, I …
Jamey’s Senior Recital
Selections from Jamey’s High School Senior Piano Recital with links to YouTube videos: Jamey’s arrangement of themes from The Phantom of the Opera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M6IzW94EeY Jamey’s arrangement of themes …