fbpx
Dynamics, Decoded

Dynamics, Decoded

I’ve recently been exploring a new way of talking about dynamics. The conventional notation is tricky because while it appears to be an objective indication of volume, it’s actually quite situational.  This is legitimately confusing for students, who tend...

VIDEO: Supporting Practice Parents

The Context Gives the Content 00:00:07:21 So let me kind of set the stage around all of this, which is to share an idea that I got from my training in Landmark Education. Background — brief background: Landmark Education is a training and development program...
Teaching Young Children

Teaching Young Children

Teaching Young Children This article is a transcript of a tutorial video recorded in 2015, updated and edited for clarity. The original video is linked below. If you’ve never worked with young kids before, you may be feeling some trepidation about it....
Preparing Your Studio Recital

Preparing Your Studio Recital

“The shortest pencil is better than the longest memory.” —Anonymous At my most recent student recital, one of the moms (who happened to be a piano teacher) noticed I had my recital checklist sitting on my chair. She picked it up, began reading it, and a...
Staccato, Pizza Delivery, and Guided Discovery

Staccato, Pizza Delivery, and Guided Discovery

Staccato seems like a very basic skill. For Suzuki teachers, it is one of the first strokes we teach. Yet, why is it that “beginner staccato” most often consists of legato with jerks on the bow changes? I’ve witnessed this bowstroke over and over … even in the...