As a piano teacher, I am often asked by students and parents whether memorizing the music is required for the recital? And the answer is "it depends". If you are an advanced student or a college music major, you are often required to memorize your...
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“Knowledge is power.” It’s that quintessential phrase that we all know and is often used as a reason to further our education and skills. But when does this phrase become harmful to both teachers and students in the learning process? Students...
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Happy May! For this month’s instructor column, I have included a musical brain teaser for all of you to try and solve. There is a hidden message embedded exactly twice in this short passage of music. In the spirit of capitalism, I will award a $5...
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If we get sick, we take medicine. It might taste bad or be difficult to take; however, it is intended to help us. Likewise, using a metronome during practice might not be very enjoyable for some people, but it could be greatly beneficial. The...
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Having an instrument that is easy to play is very important. Learning to play the guitar is very difficult and can be frustrating when you're fighting the instrument. Just like cars need a tuneup, guitars need a setup about once a year. ...
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Incorporating new literature into your practice sessions not only challenges you as a musician, but it also puts you at a significant advantage by providing new ways to approach your instrument. As musicians, our goal is to have musical...
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Everybody is under intense time pressure these days, and musicians are no exception. Here are some tips that can help you make the most of your practice time! ⦁ Get organized by Prioritizing! Which pieces do you have to work on most? Teachers...
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You know that nervous feeling right before performing in front of people? You know that feeling where your stomach starts turning, your mind starts racing at 100 miles an hour, and all you can think about is how much you wish you would have...
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So you just finished performing your new piece that you've been working on for months, and now it's time to put it away and move onto something new. While it is exciting to begin something new, it is important to keep up with your old music. By...
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Imagine getting better at a musical instrument twice as fast, with only half of the effort you are currently putting in. Sounds crazy, right? Well, if slow practice isn’t a priority, then music learning is not at its optimum. The same goes for...
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This question puts a lot of pressure on all involved - on the teacher to meet the unspoken goals of the student, on the student who feels that progress is not coming quickly enough, and the overall environment of the studio. There is never an easy...
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As a teacher I often get questions from guitar students and parents about choosing an appropriate beginner instrument. However, I’ve noticed that I rarely get questions about upgrading instruments and often see students playing on instruments they...
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