You’re a parent. I’m a parent. But, I am not your kids’ parent. I’m the piano teacher. (“Really?,” I can hear you say.) But, as a teacher/coach, I see my role as piano teacher as an extension of parenting; and, my role changes with each student’s life stage. Let’s categorize students into three stages: Elementary […]
True Confession: In the past, I have suffered from HBPHD: Happy Birthday Public Humiliation Disorder. I have been asked to play Happy Birthday in public settings only to be totally humiliated by not knowing what to do without a piece of music in front of me. NO MORE! I am committed this year to not letting that happen to […]
For any parent who’s lamented not pursuing a long-shelved hobby, there’s good news: Your ship hasn’t sailed. Her’s how to harness your inner child and learn something new as a grown-up – plus teach your kids something in the process. By Wensdy Von Buskirk Ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to play piano. Growing […]
You don’t have to understand it all to take the next step. You don’t. You really don’t. In life. In piano lessons. Why do we think we have to have it all figured out before we move on? I challenge you in this belief. Take piano lessons, for instance. Sometimes your student comes to lessons […]
So you are not a musical parent? No worries. As a parent, are you overwhelmed with all the things I might take for granted of you along the way? I understand. As time passes, you’ll become an expert at supporting your child’s music education. But, until then, here are 10 absolute basics to keep in […]
“We taking a ‘break’ from piano lessons.” Note: ‘break’ is code word for ‘quit’. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” This is my head and heart’s reaction when I hear these words from a parent whose child is giving up on piano lessons before I am ready to give the student up. You see, as a teacher, it’s *all about […]
I hated to practice. I’m not proud of it, but I gouged deep scratches in our burgundy spinet, thanks to sharp, low-heels on my Mary Janes, and a good, swift kick. I could throw a youngest-child tantrum with the best of them. You see, I’m from a long line of tenacious women. A less-kind description […]
Have you ever made a pact with yourself, only to find that a few weeks later you have broken it already? How about that New Year’s diet resolution? Or, remember that exercise faze you started before Spring Break, and then fell out of last summer? Exercise is one habit, however, that I have not broken […]
A few weeks ago I penned the article I intended to post today. This morning, however, I scrapped it all. I didn’t like it. It didn’t feel right. It didn’t fit me; it didn’t fit my style. Sometimes, music is like this. No matter how much I would like a student to learn a particular […]
I pillow my head at night with visions of students willingly practicing for hours at a time, each and every night. That’s right. I’m dreaming. You may have heard it said, “Practice is a lonely task.” “A little encouragement goes a long way.” “Parents: your role is to be present physically, mentally, emotionally as beginners […]