What’s New for Piano Practice
Featured Pianists
A Senior Rabbi Finding Time to Practice Piano
Rabbi David Posner was hired by his New York City Temple at young age. Finding time to practice piano was also crucial, so he devised a creative solution.
On the Hook to Play at My Brother’s Wedding
Preparing for a performance at her brother's wedding propelled amateur pianist Joanna Eng from feeling depressed about the piano to finding purpose.
Following Your Passion
Deserting the Piano: A Personal Essay
The author imagines a piano in her home as a sulking, poisonous guest. Although the piano used to be her passion, she has not touched the keys in 25 years.
Stamping Out Perfectionism in Adult Piano Lessons
Students of adult piano lessons can be paralyzed by the thought of striking a wrong note. Catherine Shefski advises how to get rid of perfectionism.
Music on Center Stage
Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude Amplified
The music’s cuts were multifaceted, the color a vital red, the depths entrancing. A fresh look at the romance surrounding Chopin’s creation of the Raindrop ...
Pulling Bach’s Music into 21st Century
Bach, one of the masters of polyphony, influenced 22-year-old Irish composer Louis Ryan in his composition of fresh, contemporary etudes for the piano.
Martha Argerich and Tempo Rubato
Tempo rubato, literally "stolen time," can be difficult to express in piano music. Martha Argerich's Chopin recordings offer helpful, inspiring examples.
Piano Practice Pointers
Lowered Shoulders: When Piano Technique Spreads Out to Life
After Nancy M. Williams' piano teacher urged her to relax her shoulders while playing, her quest for this piano technique led to understanding of her past. »
A Score Without the Piano in Adult Lessons
The piano score can be useful while you're not even at the piano bench. Reading the sheet music like a book leads to greater comprehension of a piece. »
No Pedal Please: A New Approach in Adult Piano Lessons
When Nancy M. Williams realized she was overusing the damper pedal to mask other weaknesses in her piano playing, she decided to practice without it. »
Hearing Loss and Music
An Incredibly Deaf Musical Probes Hearing Loss
In this interview, Jay Alan Zimmerman opens up about his experience with hearing loss and how it drove him to create, produce, and perform in a musical.
Composer Notes: Beethoven’s Hearing Loss
Beethoven's hearing loss, although it occurred in 18th century Vienna, came with embarrassment, secrecy, and stigma that are still familiar to many today.
Birdsong and High-Frequency Hearing Loss
For Nancy M. Williams, high-frequency hearing loss comes with a fear of eventual deafness, but she finds power in birds' songs and hope in their genetics.
Nancy M. Williams is an award-winning writer and ardent amateur pianist. She performs despite a genetic hearing loss, and in 2012 she debuted in recital at Carnegie Hall.
