Category Archives: advanced level

Make Me A Rhythm! game

By joy (admin) | Published: 18 November 2011

I was recently browsing some forums online and found a description of this game by a music educator.  It sounds like a great game to use with large groups of students — perhaps for group lessons or summer camps.  I asked the music educator if I could post about the game on my blog, and [...]

Also posted in beginners / elementary Level, composition, games, games, group classes, intermediate level, music camps, printables, rhythm | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Just Updated: Scale & Arpeggio Fingering (2 Octaves) Reference Sheet

By joy (admin) | Published: 24 June 2011

Some of you may remember the Scale & Arpeggio Fingering reference sheet I posted in December of 2010. About a month ago, a friendly reader made some very helpful suggestions for improvement, and so I spent quite a bit of time revising the printable. It’s called “Scale and Arpeggio Fingering for Piano (2 Octaves)” and [...]

Also posted in adult students, intermediate level, music theory, other resources, practicing, printables, private lessons, technique | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Thoughts on Memorization: A Skill Integral to Piano Playing?

By joy (admin) | Published: 14 March 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX4NH7yHFKI”>this

Last week was Spring Break from college for me!  My husband and I had a wonderful time visiting our families and spending time with them.  Our days were full doing all kinds of family activities — however, I did manage to keep an eye on my blog, especially the Forum Q&A about memorization that was [...]

Also posted in beginners / elementary Level, intermediate level, interpretation, memorization, practicing, private lessons | Tagged | 5 Comments

Just Added: Scale and Arpeggio Fingering (2 Octaves) Reference Sheet

By joy (admin) | Published: 6 December 2010

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve added a new printable to the Printables page….so here’s one I created a couple of months ago.  You can find it on the Printables > Other Resources page. Scale and Arpeggio Fingering (2 Octaves) Reference Sheet (3 pages long) I created this printable with my intermediate/advanced students in [...]

Also posted in intermediate level, other resources, practicing, printables, technique | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Practice Tips: Bringing out the Melody

By joy (admin) | Published: 16 November 2010

A reader asks for practice tips for learning to bring out the melody in the midst of a series of chords.

Also posted in practicing, technique | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tension and Piano Playing

By joy (admin) | Published: 26 August 2010

A brief discussion about issues with tension in piano playing.

Also posted in technique, what I'm up to | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Teaching Music Theory: Our Responsibility

By joy (admin) | Published: 24 June 2010

This article talks about why integrating a music theory component is important for teaching private lessons in piano or any musical instrument. It is our responsibility as music teachers to give our students a well-rounded education in the area of music – including theory.

Also posted in beginners / elementary Level, by student's level, improving as a teacher, intermediate level, music theory | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Just Added: Scales & Primary Chords Worksheet 1 (CGDF)

By joy (admin) | Published: 21 June 2010
Also posted in by student's level, group classes, intermediate level, music camps, printables, private lessons, settings:, worksheets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Just added: Performing at the Piano Worksheet

By joy (admin) | Published: 29 April 2010

Just added: a new free, printable worksheet called: >  Performing at the Piano Worksheet Just in time for the spring recital season, this fill-in-the-blank worksheet is intended to help prepare students for an upcoming recital or other performance by discussing stage presence and performance etiquette. Terms/concepts covered in the worksheet: Memorizing Applause Bowing Checking the [...]

Also posted in beginners / elementary Level, by student's level, group classes, intermediate level, memorization, printables, private lessons, recitals / performances, settings:, worksheets | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Listening and Communicating in 4-Handed Piano Music

By joy (admin) | Published: 27 April 2010

A colleague of mine and I are planning to learn some four-handed piano music this summer, and perhaps do a whole recital together of just four-handed music in the fall semester.  So I’ve been digging around on YouTube, looking for repertoire ideas.  And I have couple of cool videos to share with you today: What [...]

Also posted in beginners / elementary Level, by student's level, group classes, improving as a teacher, intermediate level, motivation, recitals / performances, repertoire / methods, settings:, what I'm up to | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Preparing for Student Recitals: Recording!

By joy (admin) | Published: 16 April 2010

Many of us teachers are probably currently preparing our student for spring recitals, so today I thought it might be beneficial to discuss a way of preparing for performances: recording your students playing their pieces, and then listening to the playback together. Benefits of Recording The student practices performing. Playing for a recording device can [...]

Also posted in beginners / elementary Level, by student's level, group classes, improving as a teacher, intermediate level, interpretation, practicing, private lessons, recitals / performances, settings:, technology | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Book Review: The A to Z of Foreign Musical Terms

By joy (admin) | Published: 8 April 2010

Book Review: Ammer, Christine.  The A to Z of Foreign Musical Terms: From Adagio to Zierlich a Dictionary for Performers and Students. Boston: ECS Publishing, 1989. Ever try looking up a musical term, only to find that the word or phrase you are looking for is not listed in your musical dictionary?  This has happened to [...]

Also posted in collaborative piano, resources / links, reviews, what I'm up to | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment
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