Recently, I’ve been published video introductions to the basics of reading music. Today I’d like to expand on a previous video where I talked about how the music staff works so you can learn how we get more notes out of these lines and spaces!

A commenter on my previous video was surprised to hear me call these lines of music a staff rather than a stave. Which name is correct?

Today let’s talk about why we have two names for the exact same thing.

I’m starting a series of videos that provide a gentle introduction to learning piano. My hope is that anyone who wants to learn piano can do so, regardless of whether or not they’re ready to start formal lessons.

Here’s a video that teaches you about how the musical staff works. It’s good to learn how the staff works before you try to learn the notes!

I had the opportunity to meet a boy last spring who told me he loved scary things! This made me think of spooky songs that would be good for a beginner to play.

I landed on this classic, the opening line to Toccata in D Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach. Have a listen!

A is the first note of the musical alphabet, so it’s natural for beginner piano students to want to start there when learning note names at the piano.

But A can be one of the hardest notes for beginners to learn, for two reasons.

Back in the day when I was taking piano lessons, it was common for my teachers to promote proper rhythm and pacing by having me play my songs along with a metronome.

I hated it.

In case you needed it, here’s a personal invitation to come out of the F.O.G. when it comes to your piano journey.

That is, to let go of Fear, Obligation, and Guilt.

Today I’d like to share a teaching approach that is fundamental to how I lead online piano lessons. It’s an approach that I learned in teacher education and became fundamental to my method once I started teaching teacher education and I saw how powerful it truly is for both children and adults.

Perfectionism is a motivation killer, and it can be hard to encourage students who struggle with it.

Signs of perfectionism may include: - Unwillingness to practice  - Reluctance to play in front of you - Getting very upset if they make a mistake - Starting the whole piece over again if they make a mistake - Playing more slowly than they need to - Reluctance to sign up for recitals or exams

Here are my best tips on creating a teaching environment that can help a student overcome perfectionism.