What does new research show us about music and the brain? This is the subject of a fascinating DVD from the PBS show “Nova,” available at Edmonton Public Library. The show focuses on a musical savant with major challenges yet who can play back music easily on the piano, a…
What Are the Differences Between the Suzuki Approach and Royal Conservatory?
What Are the Differences Between the Suzuki Approach and Royal Conservatory? In Canada, the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) is the predominant approach to piano instruction. The RCM has a well-organized system of graded materials providing a sampling of piano repertoire. They publish books for every grade level, and also…
Keeping Your Teen at the Piano: Commitment, Environment, Repertoire and Communication
This article originally appeared in the June 2011 issue of Twinkling the Ivories. The period of grades six through nine represent the time of greatest risk to your child’s musical education. This is the most common time for young people to drop out and stop their piano lessons. My experience,…