Blog Stories

  SEVEN PIECES FEATURING FRANCE AND RUSSIA  For your progressing upper intermediate to early advanced students, here's a short list of pieces to consider for the coming year.  Now is a superb time to hunt and find those pieces that you only wish you'd thought of...

During the 2021-22 school year I finally had the three recitals on the "normal" schedule I previously had prior to 2020 and Covid.  It felt truly great to get the students back out and performing regularly!   My "go to" venue allowed me to book my dates in advance...

On the many blogs available for music teachers, one theme that continues to surface is the issue around summer lessons and the loss of income.  Of course, if you are running a school with group classes, those are dictated by start and stop dates and summers may be...

The buds of spring are barely visible, yet its important to begin planning for fall.   I have found the best time for me to publish an updated studio policy, tuition fees and registration forms is immediately after spring break.  In my area, spring break will occur...

The spring season in piano and forward into the summer months is an interesting time of year.  Whether or not your studio’s students participate in spring festivals, or perhaps year-end auditions, the inclination is to “wind down” the year.  Perhaps you assign a few...

I was monitoring a room in our area auditions last year and noticed that as each student entered, they were asked if they would like to warm-up.  Of course, they said "yes."   What followed next was illuminating.  Some students took a stab at "half playing" their...

Splashing In a complete break from the “traditional” approach, Whiteside describes a method she refers to as splashing. The concept is based on a the simple principle of keyboard geography. While stressing a solid, rounded hand position, Whiteside advocates an...

For years I taught students new to piano to read using method books, following along using their guide notes, and adding one or two notes at a time. Even with all the supplemental reading, and intervallic and directional aides, I felt my students were slow readers. I...

Background Perhaps it began with the "differentiae" of the psalm tones in the tenth century. Music historian Craig Cummings stated, The idea of variation is perhaps the longest-enduring concept in all of music history. From the earliest glimmers of the most...

There are many resources available in books, magazines, and online. Here are just a few to get you started. Good summer reading! Barkley, R (1990) Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment. New York, N.Y.:: Guildford Press. Skim...

Abby Whiteside on Piano Playing : Indispensables of Piano Playing - Mastering the Chopin Etudes and Other Essays It was a crisp November day in Manhattan as I stood in front of No. 8 East 83rd Street. The holiday hustle and bustle was no match for the anticipation of...