5-Minute Piano Lessons

For a few, actually playing keyboard and piano beats simply listening

I have been thinking a lot lately about the differences between two types of musical joy- the joy of consuming music as a listener and the joy of making music as a piano or keyboard student.

As our technology improves, it becomes easier and easier to simply be a consumer of music rather than a producer. Now we all love to listen to music, and where would any producer be without a consumer?  However, some few folks want to take things further and actually make the music themselves. Naturally, I believe playing keyboard or piano beats other instruments but that’s my bias. (more…)

(This is the third and final part of Ivan Olarte’s excellent essay on practicing the classical guitar. Part One is here, Part Two is here.)

The key to all this is that whether it’s 10 minutes of just scales, or a 20 minute portion dedicated to learning the fingerings of a new piece. I can focus on each of these activities without worrying or thinking of the final goals that it will lead to. By doing this I can invest 100% of my attention and effort into the present moment and enjoy every minute of it to boot. (more…)

(Part Two of Ivan Olarte’s essay on practicing the classical guitar. Part One is here.)

Well luckily, through the internet I found some great resources such as Dan’s great blog, and a great community which is dedicated to classical guitar at http://delcamp.us . Through sources such as these I explored other points of view, different ways to approach the mastery of my instrument and specific ways to approach something as “mundane” as the act of practicing. I quickly realized that I was falling into the same trap of music becoming a task and a chore.  So I decided to revisit my approach to music and to my daily and very rigid practice routine. (more…)

Hi!  My name is Ivan Olarte. I’m 48 years old and I returned to classical guitar almost 3 years ago after a 30 year absence.

I have been an avid fan of Dan Starr’s blog, as I find Dan’s essays very informative and downright inspirational. So I was very flattered and happy when Dan invited me to write a short article and share with you some of my thoughts about the act of practicing music. (more…)

You are the only person in the world who really knows you.

There’s no shortage of “experts” in the piano teaching world. Actually, this is true of almost any subject, but it’s more so in the world of the arts. Some pianists base their claim of “expert status” on their superior knowledge of piano music. Some point to their piano playing “chops.” Others claim to be experts due to their fame, their fortunes, or both. No matter what the basis of such claims, one thing is certain – no one can be more of an expert in you, your piano interests, and your piano preferences than YOU.  YOU have all the info. A good piano instructor should simply show you how make the most of that. (more…)

Having my studio robbed has confirmed many of my piano teaching principles

I know this is strange way to make lemonade out of lemons, but being burglarized this past weekend has served to validate many of the ideas I have used successfully when teaching adult piano students. Weird, but wonderful. (more…)

Predicting the Future is Usually Dicey but I Do See the Trends

I’ve been teaching piano now full-time since October of 1987. I began as most teachers do – traveling to my students’ homes. Later, I found space to teach at a local piano dealership. A few years ago I decided to limit my practice to adult and teen-aged students. This year I’m focusing my attention to the Internet. I give you this history to convince you that I might just be able to see “the handwriting on the wall” regarding piano education. (more…)

Understanding one’s preferences regarding art is always difficult

I’ve boiled it down like this. (more…)

Who Decides What Is or Is NOT Music – and Why You Should Care

I teach piano to adults. They love many different kinds of piano playing from show tunes and ballads to the classics. One thing many of them say when the subject comes up is “Rap is not music.” Most are then surprised when I explain why they should change their opinion – for their own good. (more…)

Creativity Demands Freedom to Choose Your Own” Muse”

Have you ever wondered why the “great” pianists, city symphonies,  and many new recordings on CD seem to be re-hashing the wonderful works of dead composers? Have musicians gotten stupid or something? Or have they all become the victims of the pop music culture? Why is there little or no recent “great” music? If you have wondered these things, I may have some answers. (more…)