5-Minute Piano Lessons

The proper priorities regarding chords and fakebooks can save time and improve your playing

Note: This essay is taken from my ebook concerning Advanced Chord and Fakebook Use. I felt it too important to limit it to that source.

Before we get into the nuts and bolts of what I consider Advanced chord and fakebook usage, I want to urge you to keep your priorities straight as you study. These priorities are stated in this essay’s title, at least as I’ve found them in 40+ years of successful piano performance. I truly believe it will be very worth your time to consider my reasoning before you embark upon the study of the rest of this ebook. (more…)

The Famous Composer/Teacher Speaks Wisdom for Modern Musicians

“Strive to play easy pieces well and beautifully. It is better than to render difficult pieces only indifferently well.” (more…)

Separating Effective from Ineffective Online Piano Lessons

In the last essay, we read about lessons that treat adult piano students in such a manner that the lessons really don’t help adult pianists fulfill their goals with the piano, whether such lessons are live or online. Unfortunately, my experience tells me that this is the most common approach taken here at the start of the 21st century. Thus, I need to say more about it so you, the online adult piano student, will recognize them when offered. (more…)