Category Archives: Perfect Practice

Three Things to Look For When Learning Piano

1. Many children begin learning to play the piano in a Middle C position. Some children like to be able to squeeze their two thumbs onto the one key, but it’s not a good habit because their thumbs will grow. … Continue reading

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Making Better Practice

Does practice really make perfect? It certainly makes progress when executed properly, so the saying ought to be, “Proper practice makes progress,” I think. Summertime is typically a season in which we start our new practice goals with energy but … Continue reading

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Maintaining Skills During the Summer

With the school year coming to an end, many families will go without the routine that school offers. Music students often lose their skills during this time because summer usually allows for a relaxed schedule, but I would not want … Continue reading

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Bigger Bang for the Buck

Many parents want to be reassured that they are not wasting their money on music lessons, so they ask me how often should students practice their instruments. Though there really is no hard and fast answer, I do tend to … Continue reading

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Piano Tutorial: “Water Lilies”

The third piece in the Michael Aaron Piano Course, Grade 3, titled “Water Lilies,” is usually difficult for some students. Lots of things are going on in this piece: 1. Four flats make it a A-flat Major key signature. 2. … Continue reading

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This is Amazing Grace, Video Tutorial

It is always wonderful to learn that our students have volunteered their own talents! A particular young lady asked me to help her learn the worship song “This is Amazing Grace” by Phil Wickham for her church’s service.

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Helping Your Young Child Practice the Piano

Q: I have no musical training, but I’m expected to help my son practice between his lessons. I’m so scared that I’ll teach him wrong! Shouldn’t the teacher make sure that he knows what to do before assigning homework? A: … Continue reading

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Keeping Track of Lessons

Keeping a dedicated notebook up to date is crucial when learning from more than one book or if there are numerous students in one household. If one student is learning from technical, practical, and theory books simultaneously, homework and practice … Continue reading

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The Pink Panther, Part One

Learn to play “The Pink Panther” with the help of this video. We demonstrate a few techniques and tips on reading music, especially the bass clef.

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Teaching Techniques: Counting Lines

In this piece, taken from Michael Aaron’s Piano Course: Grade One, we calculate notes using the “counting lines” method: If neighboring tones are in a line-space-line-space pattern and if Middle C is line zero (neither in treble nor bass clef), … Continue reading

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