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Note: This article is an edited “reprint” (with a new addendum) of a recent email I sent out to my special email list for those interested in my summer piano teacher retreats. I thought this book review and discussion might be of interest to all of my readers!
As I’ve been preparing for the 2024 Retreat at Piano Manor and designing our schedule of discussion topics and creative activities, I’ve been immersing myself in finding and ordering resources for us to look at together. Since settling on this year’s theme, Exploring Improvisation and Composition in Piano Lessons, I’ve been keeping my eyes open in particular for books and resources related to creativity.
A recent rabbit hole has been to discover an interesting book called The Mind’s Ear, by Bruce Adolphe. Adolphe is the pianist behind the Piano Puzzler show from American Public Media. (Have you heard of it?)
Piano Puzzler is a radio show involving callers who guess which tune and composer Adolphe is mimicking in each piano puzzler. As an example, a piano puzzler might involve a folk tune such as London Bridge is Falling Down merged with Chopin’s Prelude in E Minor.
It’s fun to listen to, and Adolphe’s creative genius is amazing!
Continue reading “Book Review: The Mind’s Ear, by Bruce Adolphe”