Musicality, Pedaling, Technique
Rhythmic Issues and Metronome
I have a student that seems to have rhythmic issues. He is working really hard and has made huge progress but still seems to have a little trouble hearing and processing some of the rhythms. His mom is making him use a metronome at home…
Students’ Playing Deteriorating
I have noticed with a number of my students that when they have first learned a song, they play it well; i.e. clean, mistake-free, musical, etc. Then when it becomes a part of the playlist and they play it repeatedly over a period of time…
When to Introduce Using The Pedal (N. Moore)
Could I have some advice on how and when to introduce the pedal correctly with my students? It’s a potentially contentious issue, but my view is that whereas traditionally the default status of the pedal is usually ‘off’, I suggest reinventing the default position as…
When to Introduce the Pedal
I also started teaching last fall. Another teacher in my area (Dixie Cramer) had a great idea that I have been using. As the students start to get anxious to learn how to read notes, she gives them a list of things they have to…
Using the Pedal
This is my eighth week of teaching Simply Music and I have been asking students to start holding down the pedal with Night Storm, as this is what I understood Neil to indicate. I have read through everything in the Forums on the pedal as…
Purpose of The Pedals
In response to a question regarding the purpose of the pedals on a piano. The pedals serve these functions: Right pedal is of course the sustain pedal. On a baby grand, the left pedal (or the ‘soft’ pedal) actually shifts the entire ‘action’ mechanism (the…
Introducing the Pedal Technique
I’m wondering when other teachers are introducing overlapping pedal technique with the right (damper) pedal. I know this can vary from student to student and tends to be age related. My teen students tend to grasp the concept quickly, but I find it seems to…
Pace of Learning–Reading Rhythm & Notes
I need some help in responding to some concerns from a couple of student’s parents (who have been talking to each other, by the way)! These 2 students have had approximately 145 lessons. One student is right on target according to the curriculum overview, and…
Frustration with Group Lessons
I’d like to briefly introduce a slightly different perspective on the issue of parent frustration with shared lessons. I can think of another concern those parents may have. As well as the somewhat misguided concerns about students showing that they understand their new material, or…
