With COVID and lockdown, a lot of teachers and students have been faced with the challenge of learning online. Teachers, especially, have had to think of ways to make online lessons more fun and engaging.
Tag: improvisation
“Playing to learn” – introducing ‘Chopsticks to Chopin’ piano course
My aim in this course is to be absolutely systematic and clear so that an adult beginner can teach themselves without difficulty, and without a teacher present. Equally, I would claim that an adult beginner can use the course to teach a child, or an older child a younger sibling, in exactly the way that Chopsticks has been handed down over generations.
There is no judgement, only permission
The world of the piano is huge and so much more is available to us if we allow it, even if we ‘know’ very little. All it takes is no judgement, and full permission to explore it.
What happened to improvisation in classical piano music?
Guest post by Phil Best The great piano composers were all fluent improvisers. Bach, Mozart, Chopin and so many others are reported to have improvised to audiences regularly. Beethoven’s improvisation duel against Daniel Steibelt, which he won to become the most lauded improviser in Vienna, proves this point whilst it also demonstrates how many virtuoso… Continue reading What happened to improvisation in classical piano music?
At the Piano with Dr Mark Polishook
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
Guest post: You Can Teach Jazz
by Elena Cobb I am very grateful to all who took part in the lively discussions on the Facebook piano teachers forums, made suggestions and offered their opinions on this highly interesting and often controversial topic. Special thank you to Snake Davis (UK), Kay Alexander (Canada), Elissa Milne (Australia), Rami Bar-Niv (Israel), Tom Lydon, the editor of the Music Teacher… Continue reading Guest post: You Can Teach Jazz
