A Piano Teacher S Legacy

Richard Chronister was one of the pedagogy greats of his time. During the last forty years of the 20th century, he was a driving force for better piano teaching and better training of piano teachers. His influence reached from large universities to small independent studios, and his name was linked with both the most basic principles and the most recent research. His accomplishments were legendary. He started the first university degree program in piano pedagogy, served on six different faculties, and developed a new piano method. He was co-founder of the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy and the founder and editor of Keyboard Companion magazine. All his professional life he asked searching questions, such as: How can I build on children's innate love of music? How can I teach so that my students keep learning, practicing and making music? How can I teach my students to become independent learners? What can I apply to my teaching from discoveries of the past and of my own time? How can I become an acute observer of what my students are doing? And of what teachers whom I observe are doing? And of what I am doing as a teacher? This compendium contains Chronister's best answers to these questions and many more. They come from his articles, addresses and lectures. Whether speaking or writing, his style is always lucid, informal and engaging. He never pretends to have the final answer, and invited his audience to consider his advice and reach their own conclusions. This book deserves a place in the library of every serious piano teacher!

Providing essential tools to transform college piano students into professional piano teachers, Courtney Crappell's Teaching Piano Pedagogy helps teachers develop pedagogy course curricula, design and facilitate practicum-teaching experiences, and guide research projects in piano pedagogy. The book grounds the reader in the history of the domain, investigates course materials, and explores unique methods to introduce students to course concepts and help them put those concepts into practice. To facilitate easy integration into the curriculum, Crappell provides example classroom exercises and assignments throughout the text, which are designed to help students understand and practice the related topics and skills. Teaching Piano Pedagogy is not simply a book about teaching piano--it is a book about how piano students learn to teach.

The strict traditions of piano teaching have remained entrenched for generations. The dominant influence of Muzio Clementi (1752-1832), the first composer-pedagogue of the instrument, brought about an explosion of autocratic instruction and bizarre teaching systems, exemplified in the mind-numbing drills of Hanon's "The Virtuoso Pianist." These practices--considered absurd or abusive by many--persist today at all levels of piano education. This book critically examines two centuries of teaching methods and encourages instructors to do away with traditions that disconnect mental and creative skills.

For over 26 years piano teachers relied on Frances Clark's column in Clavier magazine for insightful, inspiring answers to their questions. Some of her best advice on subjects ranging from repertoire to fingering appears in this informative volume for piano teachers. Topics include: Lesson Plans, Rhythm, theory, Ear Training, Memorizing, Phrasing, Group Lessons, Recitals, Adult Students, and Transfer Students. "Frances Clark's 'Questions and Answers' in Clavier has been a monthly source of inspiration for piano teachers since its inception. This compilation will serve as a special pedagogy text for both new and experienced teachers." --E.L. Lancaster "With the same morning dash reserved for Ann Landers, it has been ritual for me to open the latest issue of Clavier to the back page first for 'Questions and Answers.' The mail usually arrives minutes before my first student of the day, and it is amazing how often I have found immediate relevance in one of Frances Clark's timely topics." --Suzanne Guy "Those of us who value teaching value the words and thoughts of Frances Clark. She is a continuing inspiration to us and our students." --Tony Caramia

Using factors extrapolated from historical and social science literatures to frame the observations of twenty current U.S. piano teachers, A Portrait of Contemporary U.S. Teachers of Piano: A Musical Journey explores the contemporary U.S. piano teacher through a social science lens. Drawing on many interviewees' experiences with teaching piano, Barbara Stolz argues that each teacher is an artist and a pedagogue, teaching approaches are eclectic and pragmatic, and knowing each student is paramount.

Piano Pedagogy: A Research and Information Guide provides a detailed outline of resources available for research and/or training in piano pedagogy. Like its companion volumes in the Routledge Music Bibliographies series, it serves beginning and advanced students and scholars as a basic guide to current research in the field. The book will includes bibliographies, research guides, encyclopedias, works from other disciplines that are related to piano pedagogy, current sources spanning all formats, including books, journals, audio and video recordings, and electronic sources.

What makes a student continue with piano lessons their entire educational career? A great experience with music and teachers! This book can be read multiple times in a year! Our Piano Teacher is like a scrapbook of memories, relived and celebrated with each reading. The experiences learned from music and teachers have far-reaching life benefits for both students and adults. Readers can relate as students grapple with a myriad of challenges that are overcome with excellent coaching and hard work to produce soaring satisfaction year after year. You'll feel the endearing qualities of Our Piano Teacher, who is patient, kind, does not keep track of wrongs, does not boast, and has a special essence that keeps people begging to learn more! Music truly reaches all areas of educational subjects with its history and worldwide span. Our Piano Teacher celebrates teaching. "Everyone should buy this book!" Our Piano Teacher says, "Kathi has hit the nail on the head regarding the entire industry and subject of music. People should learn that there is a worthwhile difference in a really good instructor and be motivated to not treat lessons as a simple task on the calendar. Just having a degree doesn't make you a good teacher. You have to learn how to bring out what inspires each student, and I've felt blessed to produce some greats."