Musicality, Pedaling, Technique

Showing 41 - 50 of 69 results in Musicality, Pedaling, Technique

Physical limitations and alternate chord fingering

I have a student who has a pinched nerve in her back which has caused sciatic nerve issues. She has mild arthritis in RH 1, 2, and 3 top knuckles. She want to play the B chord with RH 1 3 4 rather than 1…

Thick Fingers

Has anyone got some tips for students whose fingers are so thick that they get stuck between the black notes, e.g. the IV chord of Bishop Street Blues? It is not an uncommon issue, and as you said, the reality of the situation is that…

How to help students figure out fingering

I have a student who is working on Beethoven’s Bagatelle #4, opus 119. Is there a better way to finger any of it, especially the 3rd line, than what I’ve written in? Thank you so much for any advice! https://www.facebook.com/ThePianoCoach/videos/10156490360581959/ Thanks Neil, this is really helpful…

Scale fingering – blues and diatonic

I’m wondering if someone can help me figure out scale fingerings, both with the scales for Blues and Improv (specifically Eb), and traditional v. SM fingering for the diatonic scales. I understand the concept of NO34 (naturally occurring 3s and 4s), but it doesn’t always…

Smoothing out the rhythm in Jackson Blues

I have a seven-year-old student who is very keen to learn, and very smart. He often says “I’m really good at this song” as he starts to play from his playlist for me. His version of Jackson Blues has a terrible rhythm. He plays the…

Student struggling with rhythm

I have a 9-year-old student who just struggles with rhythm. She can’t keep a simple even beat. With a TON of work she gets it, but it doesn’t always stick. I noticed it in a pronounced way when she was with me in a larger…

Fingers 4 & 5

One of my students wants to understand the mechanics behind his fingers as he plays. Is there a good resource for this? Also, does anyone know a good way of explaining why finger 4 is not quite as cooperative as the others? Is it simply…

Fingering chords with a physically challenged student

I have a 66-year-old student who is having difficulty playing chords with finger 1, 3, 5. Her fourth finger has limited upward mobility. We had lesson number 6 today. Would it be terrible to adapt and let her play chords with fingers 1, 3, 4?…

Modifying chords for students with small hands

Today I encountered a challenge with my 6 year old trying to learn Bishop Street Blues.  He can do Jackson Blues and understands the concepts and the 12 bar progression and the concept of replacing the I, IV, and V chords with other chords. BUT.…

Music in college after Simply Music

  I had a parent of a fifth grader ask me today what happens after the foundation levels, and whether there are any piano competitions in Simply Music, and whether/how any study might count for college credit. I promised to check in with more experienced…