One of my adult students refers to any particularly challenging but inspiring piece of piano music as his "nemesis." Although I believe we should love our piano repertoire, the word "nemesis" kept popping into my head recently.
Read morePiano Technique Tip: Transforming Tension into Ease
In one of my recent workshops, pianists cited physical tension as the number one challenge they face at the piano. This wasn't surprising at all! As most musicians know from hands-on experience, it's not easy to simply flip the tension switch off.
Read moreThe [Insert Your Name] Method
An interactive post about how we each develop our own unique method to whatever it is we do; from cooking a meal to playing piano to the way we walk through life.
Read moreTo Breathe or Not to Breathe
For me, the question of respiratory function and playing piano has been filled with frustration and uncertainty. To be we must breathe, and the way we breathe greatly impacts our quality of life and musicianship.
Read moreAlternative Sized Keyboards Provide Relief for Small Hands
Two weeks ago my friend Suzanne and I visited David Steinbuhler, founder of the D.S. Standard Foundation. David custom builds piano actions with narrower key sizes.
Read moreReframing Performance Anxiety
The language we use to describe our experience has a major impact on our well-being. The efficacy of reappraising "performance anxiety" as "performance excitement" is supported by research.
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