Tendonitis Courtesy of Mozart…Not Tennis
When an adult piano student gets tendonitis from practicing Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca, her injury leads to a lesson in piano technique: using the whole arm. »
Articles by Robin Sloane Seibert, Contributing Editor at Grand Piano Passion™
Robin Sloane Seibert is an essayist and creative nonfiction writer who began studying classical piano eleven years ago. Robin came to the piano as an adult beginner after retiring from a twenty-year career in the music business. Her writing reflects how the piano has influenced her approach and understanding of life. Robin lives in Manhattan with her husband and two teenage sons.
Where’s the Finish Line?
Practicing the first movement of Mozart’s Piano Sonata in G Major, an adult piano student wonders when she’ll be able to say she’s finished with the piece. »
How to Memorize Piano Music, With Help from Music Theory
An adult piano student resolves to memorize Schumann’s “From Foreign Lands and People,” and uses music theory and her tactile sense to accomplish the feat. »
Simone Dinnerstein’s Insights for Adult Piano Students
Concert pianist Simone Dinnerstein, who used to teach adult piano lessons, offers valuable tips for musical interpretation in an open, inspiring interview. »
Goodbye, Dear Yamaha
After hastily selling her Yamaha piano, Robin Sloane Seibert felt like she had lost a friend, even though the upright had a faulty action and wiggling keys. »
Robin Sloane Seibert Plays Beethoven Bagatelle No. 2
Robin Sloane Seibert plays the Beethoven Bagatelle No. 2 and discovers the joy of crossing hands and the challenge of playing triplets against eighth notes. »
Beethoven’s Menacing Bust
Robin Sloane Seibert went from loathing piano lessons and being frightened of a menacing bust of Beethoven to voluntarily learning the Beethoven Bagatelles. »
My Left Hand
Bass clef and left hand notes don't come easily, but this amateur pianist finds that understanding chord progressions is the first step toward improvement. »
The Language of Music
Music theory is the grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary of the language of music. An amateur pianist discovers meaning in Mozart through studying theory. »
Piano Practice: The Wonder of Solitude
Beset by an internal clamor, essayist Robin Sloane Seibert tries to drown out her worries with noise, until she discovers the solitude of piano practice. »
Falling in Love with Bach
While on vacation, Robin Sloane Seibert stays inside the beach house to tackle the challenges of Bach's Prelude in E Major, and ends up finding summer love. »
Rushing Haydn in Adult Piano Lessons
After flying through life, an adult piano student learns that practicing slowly is the only way to really learn and understand a difficult Haydn movement. »
