positive mindset – A Piano Teacher Writes…

Guest post by Stephen Marquiss “We’ll see you on TV one day”, they said. By the time I reached my 29th birthday, I had been on TV once – but does a school promotional appearance really count? I could’ve made it twice, for the semi-final of BBC Young Musicians. But I withdrew through injury. I’m… Continue reading The Mammoth in the Practice Room: 7 reasons why musicians fall short of their potential

Piano teaching, Practising

The power of “yet”

July 29, 2018July 27, 2018 The Cross-Eyed Pianist

Those of us who teach and play ourselves understand that music requires commitment in the form of consistent, focused practising. This does not mean a snatched half-hour here or there or a blitz the night before the weekly piano lesson, but regular engagement with the instrument and its literature (at least 5 days out of… Continue reading The power of “yet”

General, Performing

“I played it better at home!”

January 28, 2018 The Cross-Eyed Pianist

If I had a pound for every time a student said this in a lesson, I'd be a rich woman by now! We've all heard it, and I know I've been guilty of saying it myself occasionally at piano lessons with my own teacher. I've even been tempted to put up a sign next to… Continue reading “I played it better at home!”

Practising, Students, Teaching

Rewiring turns “I can’t” into “I can”

December 30, 2016December 8, 2016 The Cross-Eyed Pianist

Whenever we have a thought or physical sensation thousands of neurons are triggered and get together to form a neural network in the brain. “Experience-dependent neuroplasticity” is the scientific term for this activity of continual creation and grouping of neuron connections which take place as a result of our personal life experiences. With repetitive thinking,… Continue reading Rewiring turns “I can’t” into “I can”