"Why Learn Popular Music?"

"Why Learn Popular Music?"

My college piano teacher, Leonora Suppan, was a strong proponent of classical music. She was, after all, a professional, playing solo, with a string quartet, and a performer with a small but excellent symphony. She played classical, and she taught it.

"The Show Must Go On"

"The Show Must Go On"

What happens when a serious crisis happens in the middle of a performance? Whether playing classical or popular music, the answer is the same: keep going. Do your best to make the mistake look like it was planned. Smile. 

Nervous When You Perform?

Nervous When You Perform?

Some people get very nervous when they perform. I'm one of them. My hands usually sweat a little, and often shake. My stomach churns. Two hours before the performance, I start asking myself why the heck I ever decided to play publicly, especially for all my students and their parents. 

Improvisation: A Lifesaver for Nick

Improvisation: A Lifesaver for Nick

My former student Nick is a talented actor. He performed in several plays growing up, and he knows how to improvise his way through onstage catastrophes such as missed lines, malfunctioning props and wardrobe, and unexpected disasters.

Chording and Worship Music: Hannah's Story

Chording and Worship Music: Hannah's Story

Hannah's mother leads worship sessions and teaches others how to do so. She has a beautiful voice, and Hannah does, too. The two of them decided to choose a few songs, which they would sing together while Hannah played chords.

The Value Of A Great Teacher

The Value Of A Great Teacher

A few blogs ago, I mentioned my perfectionist college piano teacher, Leonora Suppan. I may have given the impression that I didn’t like her. In reality, she was one of my mentors and a great inspiration.

Why Classical Matters

Why Classical Matters

Years ago, a friend told us a true story about a young woman (I’ll call her Ann) who student-taught music in a tiny, rural school in northeast Missouri. Ann wanted to expose the children to classical music, so one day she passed out a list of the great composers to a high school class and asked students to check the ones whose names they recognized.

 

Mom, I Want To Quit Piano: When To Let Them Stop Piano

Mom, I Want To Quit Piano: When To Let Them Stop Piano

“Mom, I want to quit piano lessons.” Every parent hears this sometimes, and I used to hear it a lot when raising our four children. None of them, including Eric, always liked to practice. And kids can often find an endless list of other activities that are more appealing.