Dec 032014
 
Finding the Kinesthetic Feeling of the KeyboardThe piano and the pianist have a relationship. It’s different from the violinist who cradles the instrument under his chin or the cellist whose body enfolds the instrument. It’s different from the woodwind or brass player who constantly breathes the life of music through the instrument. It’s certainly different from the singer who is their instrument. read the rest
Jan 012014
 
Kinesthetic Sensation: Meeting Place of the Mind and Body

Sensation as Knowledge

When someone startles me I jump. I jump before I know I’m startled. It never works the other way around. I never think I’m startled — and then jump. The body is the first to know something happened. It owns this primary sense of the feeling of what happens. This feeling is knowledge of the body’s state and it does not need words for its knowing. read the rest
Jan 012014
 
The Fossil Mind of ConceptsThe mind of the fossil is not too old to learn anymore than the body is. The minds of adults do work differently than children’s. Unfortunately, little thought has been given to these differences other than to say adults don’t learn as well as children. Certainly most teachers and students don’t understand these differences. While these differences may complicate the adults’ ability to learn to play the piano; they certainly don’t make it impossible. read the rest
Jun 132013
 
We know we ought to concentrate, be aware, and focus on what we are doing. But for most of us it’s rather difficult. We all know people who seem to have an uncanny ability to do this. For a few, it’s so strong they can be totally unaware of what’s going on around them. But many of us are easily distracted, sometimes so much so it’s even hard to get to the piano in the first place. read the rest
Apr 112013
 
“Everyone wants to feel in ‘control’ – feel ‘inspired’ – feel themselves ‘relaxing’ – ‘focusing’ and ‘concentrating.’ That is why we love our effort so much. But it just doesn’t work that way! When you are all of these things you ‘feel’ nothing – for real control just controls. You simply ‘are’ – concentrating, inspired and in control. read the rest
Mar 172013
 
It started when the mother of a 10 year-old student mentioned that she referred me to the mother of an 8 year-old for lessons. She characterized me as “strict but not mean.” Hmm, they are usually thought to be the same thing. I decided it meant that there were certain things that were necessary to learn before one can play well and play musically. read the rest