5-Minute Piano Lessons

Creativity is sometimes inhibited by reading and obeying sheet music

I had a big and unhappy realization this week during teaching. An adult student had to be encouraged to do something other than what was specified by their sheet music (poorly written sheet music, I would hasten to add) and my sole child student asked me, “Aren’t these pedaling marks sorta an option?” Now my child is a very precocious 10 year old but I would have thought my adult student wouldn’t feel compelled to simply follow orders. Turns out I had it backwards.

My “realization” was:

Many piano student work hard to get good at
“Monkey-See-Monkey-Do” music reading. (more…)

“How to…” essays are critical for piano accomplishment

Most pianists know they will have to learn to read piano music if they wish to accomplish their goals. Playing by ear is fine – IF you don’t mind being musically illiterate. Knowing and reading chords is critical but you will still need to be able to read the treble staff in order to play from a fakebook. Thus, here are my three most successful actions in helping piano students improve their reading. (more…)