Video #4: Brilliant Fingerwork--Practice Scales Slowly and Raised Fingers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KdWG-zIFY4&index=4&list=RDO6AAkGBc0eg

Another great YouTube video by Robert Estrin on how to develop techniques to get the brilliant fast finger work. The secret he discusses in this video is to practice scales SLOWLY and with RAISED FINGERS.

Video #3: How to Practice the Piano--Memorization

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeDEI0dGW_w&list=RDO6AAkGBc0eg&index=3

A great YouTube video by living pianos.com on memorization techniques.

Video #2: Finger Technique

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6AAkGBc0eg

Check this out for finger technique. The secret is that as soon as you cross under your thumb, immediately get your hand placed in the next position, ready to play!

Video #1: It's All in the Wrist--Great Octaves Technique

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkWx0Xwldgk

This is a great website to show how to play octaves effectively.

Drills and Exercises

When a piano student is assigned a simple drill or exercise, she may be tempted to play it through quickly a couple of times and call it good since it looks so simple. Here's a better way to practice drills and exercises:

1. Practice them slowly and precisely.

2. Make sure to have good hand position--keep those fingers curved and try not to let that pinkie fly into the air.

3. Practice for perfection.

4. Use correct fingering.

Practicing drills and exercises effectively can help improve technique and control.

Introducing the Great Composers to Children

I discovered a great website for introducing children (and adults) to the great composers, including a short bio of the ones featured. They're broken down by musical era and links are even provided to listen to some of their works. Wonderful!

I'm going to use this resource when teaching students to play the piano. Instead of just learning a piece by Mozart, I'll use this to add meaning and music appreciation.

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

I've been studying a book by James W. Bastien called How to Teach Piano Successfully. Now I've been teaching piano a loooong time but I'm learning a lot.

One thing that I learned today that I will be incorporating into my teaching is the use of flashcards--not only for learning notes and musical symbols, but also for learning how to sight read.

I like the idea of showing a student a short musical phrase and having him identify the pattern/inversions/chords/fingering/etc. etc.

It seems like musical phrase flashcards are a great stepping stone to eventually sitting down a sight reading a complete piece of music.