Category Archives: Lessons

C Major Scale, Triad, and Inversions

Posted on June 21, 2014 by Marie

What do these mean? If you have a minute (yes, it’s under a minute), watch our newest video. You can do this to all triads (chords of three notes). Try it for F and G majors as they, like C … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Perfect Practice, Videos | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Teaching Techniques

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Marie

I use this teaching technique frequently, asking the student to play one clef (or hand) while I play the other. It is good to use after a student has been working on a piece for several days, having learned the … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Videos | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Rhythm, Melody, or Technique?

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Marie

Are you supposed to learn rhythm first? Or the melody? Or are you supposed to use correct fingers and keep good posture? What is the priority? In twelve years of teaching, I have had students approach a new piece of … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Lessons | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Support Your Music Student

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Marie

Purchasing an instrument for your child isn’t the only thing that you can do for him and his musical education. If you have your child enrolled in lessons, there are many ways to support him. You will find that your … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Keys and Tips for Sight Reading

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Marie

The more sight reading you do the better you become at it. The struggle is part of the process. Don’t worry if you sound terrible. Remember that expression, dynamics, and timing are more important than getting all the notes right. Begin sight reading with … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Lessons | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Why Sight Reading is Important

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Marie

There is some debate between supporters of sight reading and supporters of learning by ear.  I support sight reading because, just like learning to read English, it allows for students to analyze and understand what they are playing. Reading music … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Lessons, Music History, Piano Teachers | Tagged | Leave a comment

Group Versus Individual Lessons

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Admin

I’ve had many parents ask me, “What are better, group piano lessons or individual, private lessons?” You really have to weigh the pros and cons on this one. What is better for one student may not be better for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Lessons, Piano Teachers | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How to Help With Rhythm

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Marie

Q: When my daughter practices a popular or folk song, she plays the notes right, but her rhythm is wrong. How can I help her between lessons? A: Sing the melody that she is practicing. Do so while clapping your … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Lessons, Perfect Practice | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Piano Lessons for Adults

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Marie

You have wanted to learn piano since childhood, but you never had the resources. Now that you have the instrument and the support you need for lesson, you feel that you’re too old to begin. If this is so, please … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Lessons, Motivation, Perfect Practice, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Reading Notes, Memorizing Pieces

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Marie

Q: I have a feeling that my child is not learning to read music. Instead, she memorizes the pieces. When I ask her to name one specific note in the written music, she cannot answer. I would like for her … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Lessons | Tagged , , | Leave a comment