What is your first memory of the piano? My piano journey began more or less when I was 3 or 4 years old. Movers brought a 1932 5’3” Chickering baby grand to our house. It was a gift from my grandparents. That piano eventually travelled with me from one coast to another in America, which… Continue reading At the Piano with Dr Mark Polishook
Category: General
New Piano Techniques app from ‘Pianist’ Magazine
All the enjoyable and engaging features of 'Pianist' magazine are included in this new piano techniques app: informative and easy to understand articles on technique and repertoire, how to play a particular work with guidance from a top teacher, free sheet music (18 pieces in fact, from beginner to advanced level), an interview with Lang… Continue reading New Piano Techniques app from ‘Pianist’ Magazine
How to help your child enjoy and succeed at piano lessons
The role of parents in piano lessons is crucial, by encouraging their children to practise, reinforcing the teacher's instruction, and offering support and encouragement. The decision to start piano lessons should not be taken too lightly. Learning and playing the piano is highly enjoyable and satisfying, leading to a deep sense of personal fulfilment, but… Continue reading How to help your child enjoy and succeed at piano lessons
New year, new repertoire!
This post first appeared on my sister blog The Cross-Eyed Pianist What better way to start a new year at the piano with some new repertoire? But where to start? Perhaps the greatest joy - and frustration - of being a pianist is the vast and wonderful repertoire available to us, from Baroque arabesques to… Continue reading New year, new repertoire!
Sheet Music Direct App for iPad
Many of us are lucky enough to own an iPad, and these devices are increasingly being used by musicians instead carrying around lots of heavy books of music. There is a great new free app from Sheet Music Direct which gives you access to thousands of scores of classical, jazz and pop music. Whether… Continue reading Sheet Music Direct App for iPad
Article for ‘Pianist’ Magazine
I'm a regular contributor to 'Pianist', a bi-monthly magazine aimed at amateur pianists and piano enthusiasts. In my latest article I discuss the sustain (right hand) pedal. Read the full article here: Article for 'Pianist' Magazine
A Student Concert in Brighton
Last weekend I had the great pleasure of attending and performing in a student concert organised by pianist and piano teacher Helen Burford. It's always interesting to hear the students of another teacher perform, and is a great way of exploring new repertoire and celebrating the pleasures of playing the piano. Held in the Quaker… Continue reading A Student Concert in Brighton
At the Piano With……GéNIA
I recently had the privilege of interviewing the Russian pianist, teacher and creator of Piano-Yoga® GéNIA (Evgenia Chudinovich). The interview took place at London's prestigious Steinway Hall and has been edited into six parts, each of which covers different aspects of GéNIA's varied pianistic and teaching life and career. Click on a video to watch… Continue reading At the Piano With……GéNIA
At the Piano With…….Mark Tanner
In an insightful, detailed and honest interview, pianist, writer and teacher, Mark Tanner, shares his thoughts on many aspects of piano teaching. Read the full interview here: At the Piano With.......Mark Tanner
The Virtuoso Parent
This post is inspired by the excellent book The Virtuoso Teacher by music educationalist Paul Harris, which I have been reading on the recommendation of George Bevan, Director of Music at Monkton Coombe School, and author of an excellent blog on music teaching and practice. I will distill my general response to the book in… Continue reading The Virtuoso Parent
A Piano Teacher Writes... 