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The Importance of Obstacles

I say this all the time to students who are attempting to create”  “Improvisation is only easy IF there are limitations.” Reading the article below justifies my thinking… Jonah Lehrer on the Importance...

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A Good Melody: Motives

I look forward to summer because it provides time for a change and just more time. Especially more time to be creative. My students are offered a number of options during the summer months, one of them...

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Paintin’ the Blues

This past week my studio enjoyed celebrating the 12-bar blues. Most think of playing Beethoven’s Fur Elise or Bach’s Inventions as noble goals when signing up for piano lessons, and yes they are....

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I Took the Song-Writing Challenge

Well, not sure why a complete but very nice stranger and our comment exchanges can “make” me do something completely out of my box, but…(thanks Ryan!). He filled me in on a challenge of writing a song...

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Creative Corner: Keys for Rookie Improvisers

Can you imagine life without repetition? Being creative at the keys is not always easy or obvious to some. It is often difficult to encourage those timid fingers as a teacher. Continuing with the...

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Creative Corner: Ignite Creativity in the First Lesson

Those first lessons with beginners can seem awfully long–all the instructions to give about posture, the keyboard, key names, high, low…. Although I offer young pianists the chance to explore all the...

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The Heart and Soul of Pop Music

Heart and Soul: A staple, back pocket pattern for every pianist From a past blog (sorry, quite awhile ago) I explained how I find Heart and Soul  to be an important, no, essential early step in the...

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A Free Yet Priceless Tip

Need a cheat sheet for improvisation? This tip below will save you in a pinch in your own playing and in your teaching. Stay tuned for a future post featuring an inspiring testimonial by Kristi Negri....

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The Perfect Paper-Free Gift for Mother’s Day

Kristin Jensen’s site called Ear Training and Improv offers unique worksheets, videos and posts to spur musical imaginations. Kristin’s growing library of clever resources is impressive. Since the...

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10 Red-Hot RESOURCES for Cool Summer Lessons

Design blockbuster summer lessons with these unique resources. They appear in no certain order and promise to deliver buckets-full of fun and creativity. Pattern Play Why not include a surprise at the...

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A Dozen Brilliant Apps for Dazzling Summer Lessons

My intention was to supply a list of 10 apps but it expanded to 12, oops! They appear in alphabetical order as I could NEVER choose a favorite. Anytune With access to accompaniment beats for Wendy...

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Tin Pan Rhythm App

If you haven’t yet purchased Tin Pan Rhythm because of my recommendation in a previous post of my 12 favorite apps, then make sure you purchase Tin Pan Rhythm now! Here’s an extended tutorial provided...

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Two Resources to Stir Up Creativity in Your Studio

How do you start brewing musical imaginations? It helps to find resources that inspire. If you are struggling with where to begin your creative journey beyond the page and how to spark musical...

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Make your own dashing arrangement of Jingle Bells

About 4 years ago, Wendy Stevens of ComposeCreate.com asked her piano students to learn the chorus of “Jingle Bells” and create a variation. Each arranger was filmed debuting his/her arrangement and...

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Play, Teach and Compose Pop Music: Why you need to make this webinar a priority

Is this you? Are you an incredibly successful teacher who teaches Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and maybe some Gershwin. Are your students dynamite practicers and do they regularly win competitions? Do...

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Wynn-Anne Rossi’s Timeless Tips on Composition

Wynn-Anne Rossi and I first met at an MTAC (Music Teachers Association of California) conference years ago. I attended one of her Alfred showcases and was so impressed with her poised yet lively...

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Events, opinions and resources definitely worth your consideration

#1 If you are part of Tim Topham’s Inner Circle, take advantage of your membership and join the next Mastermind event.  I’ll be there and am looking forward to chatting about creativity and apps. It’s...

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Celebrate the Season with Winter Window Frost, a Piano Solo

Around a Late Intermediate Level Growing up in Iowa made me extremely thankful for the promise of Spring. While we waited for a hint of green grass, my family hunkered down on winter break afternoons...

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Register NOW for the 88 Creative Keys 2017 Workshop

Take a moment to check out the video below –you’ll learn what we’re cooking up this summer at 88 Creative Keys and get a chuckle, too. Here we go! The 88 Creative Keys 2017 Workshop Registration is...

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Waay: A hip music app for teens and songwriters

What app is a good fit for those who grow out of Piano Maestro, Flashnote Derby, Rhythm Swing…? If you have groomed pianists beyond the first couple of years of piano or any other instrument (hooray...

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