Piano Learning and Practice

Why should Bach be essential to piano education? In my teaching experience, Bach’s music develops essential skills for pianists, including hand independence, attentive listening, clear articulation, careful phrasing, and control of touch in musical lines. However, many students study Bach only when required for competitions, auditions, or diplomas. Without gradual preparation, a Prelude and Fugue may seem unfamiliar rather than a natural part of a pianist’s repertoire. To hel

Many parents ask how to determine if a child who has completed Primer A and B and Level 1A and 1B is ready for advanced piano lessons. Students often enjoy lesson book pieces because they progress gradually. When teachers introduce more challenging pieces or classical repertoire, some students may feel unprepared to move beyond easier material. As a teacher, I first assess whether the child reads confidently at the current lesson book level. Completing a book does not always

Why June and July Are the Perfect Time for a Piano Guild Audition For many piano students, summer marks the end of the school year. But for dedicated musicians, June and July offer a valuable opportunity to participate in a Piano Guild Audition. A Piano Guild Audition is much more than a performance. It is a nationally recognized evaluation that encourages students to set meaningful goals, build confidence, and celebrate musical growth. Whether a student is just beginning les

Memorization is one of the most important aspects of performance. Whether it is a student recital, a degree recital, a competition, or a professional concert, pianists are expected to perform from memory. For some students, memorization comes naturally—sometimes even more easily than reading the score. However, for many, memory slips can lead to performance anxiety, discouragement, and even avoidance of public performances. This can happen at any age and at any level. So how

👉 Guidelines to help students practice with focus, discipline, and musical intention. Are the following pieces of advice a motivation for practicing? 🎹 Students may hear from a teacher: “practice, practice, it makes you perfect” or “perfect practice makes it perfect”, “go home (room) and practice”, “just practice more." Create a practice log or journal (write it by hand or on iPad or iPhone). Monitor daily how much time you spend practicing the piano. Practicing every day w

A clean, repeatable routine for taking a piece from "learned" to "performable." Mindset & Focus Start memorizing the piece the first time you play it correctly. Start the piece several times. You must learn the sensation of how it begins. Be thinking at all times-CONCENTRATE. Sound, Touch, and Balance Play SLOWLY. You have to think harder. Play the piece ALL LOUD and SLOW. It forces fingers to feel the correct keys. Structure, Harmony, and Memory Be aware of the harmonic stru

“A great piano practice routine isn’t about the number of hours you spend at the keyboard—it’s about how you use your time. Whether you’re a beginner or advancing toward concert-level performance, following a structured approach will bring real progress and joy to your playing. Here are my 4 golden rules and a daily practice plan to help you practice smarter and make music come alive.” 🎼 4 Golden Rules of Piano Practice RULE #1-CONCENTRATE RULE #2-REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT RULE

Here is my 🎹Practice √ List: MIND-is it turned on? EYE-how slow must I play steadily to have "eye comfort"? EAR-did I get the sound I wanted? MUSCLE-how did it feel? Is there a way to make it feel easier? PENCIL or IPAD PEN-did I notate discoveries? Fingering Sensations of sound Loud and soft Legato and staccato High and low Long and short Up and down Slow and fast Thick and thin Slow-fast Thick-thin 🎶Overall goal before weekly lessons with my piano teacher: First week-