The following is from The Editor's Page, by Richard Chronister: |
The cover art for this issue
is a |
"There was a rainbow in the sky that day in May so long ago. The soft colors formed an arc over the small village in Italy where a little baby was born. His parents looked at their tiny baby in the crib and decided to give him a big long name: Bartolomeo di Francesco Cristofori" "Those are the first words of a delightful new book, The Music Box, designed for your youngest piano students. It will take them back exactly 300 years, to 1698, when Cristofori began the experiments that led to the first piano. I suspect that most piano students have not the slightest idea who invented the piano, much less any knowledge about the time in which it happened and the process that led to it. This little picture book will solve this problem at the very beginning of piano study and will help make piano practice a more exciting activity. We are indebted to Suzanne Guy and Donna Lacy for this newest supplementary book to accompany early-level piano lessons. Suzanne is already well-known to piano teachers, having led workshops all over the world. She closed her over-flowing piano studio in Northern Virginia a few years ago and moved to Norfolk. Her move benefits us all, since building a new studio takes time and while this was happening, she branched out to book writing and published her inspirational IF . . . You Would Add to the Beauty of the World, now in its third printing (for information, call 757-627-5991). Also, she and Ingrid Clarfield co-authored two books for Alfred Publishing: From Mystery to Mastery. In 1996, Suzanne met Donna Lacy, her co-author, in a writing class at Old Dominion University. Since that time, they have met weekly, creating and illustrating stories. Donna's background includes a degree in art education from Marshall University and post graduate study in child development, art, and children's literature. Donna created the wonderful color illustrations in The Music Box (including the marvelous silhouette that appears on the cover of this issue)." |
What can piano teachers learn about rhythm from people in other arts? This issue, we feature Rick Ziebarth's article in which he discusses how rhythm plays a behind-the-scenes role in helping figure skaters execute their complex gestures. Be sure to view the video clips we've included - they are not only fun to watch and hear, but they are also an immediate and striking lesson in the power of rhythm to help us in physical activities, including of course, playing the piano! Click on the picture to visit the article and its video clips. |
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Another tribute appears in this issue. Click on the left to read Barbara Kreader's eloquent description of how Frances Clark touched her life repeatedly over the years, and profoundly affected her teaching. |
The Magic Triangle: |
Do you actually know what notes are on the page? |
Barbara Kreader |
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The Other Teacher: |
How would you ask a student to practice CPE
Bach's Solfeggietto |
Kelley Benson |
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Independence Day: |
What do you do with an intermediate student with no reading skills? |
Anna Harriette Foshee |
Let's Get Physical: |
It may be a scale, but is it technique? |
Richard Chronister |
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Partners in Time: |
Who are your musical heroes? |
Madeleine Crouch |
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The Heart of the Matter: |
Bruce Berr | |
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From the Inside Out: |
Did I really mean to say that? |
Melissa Falb |
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It's Never Too Late: |
How important is technique for adult leisure students? |
Scott McBride Smith |
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Putting It All Together: |
What repertoire do you pull out of the hat when a student falls into a slump? |
Sixteen teachers |
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Tomorrow Today: |
Of all the things you have done mixing technology and kids, what activity has been the most productive? |
Kathy Loh |
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