"Carla, you're so enthusiastic about what you do, and you are obviously so happy doing it. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Kendall could take piano lessons from you?" said Mary one morning at our church's coffee hour. "Why not?" I asked. Mary gave me one of those have-you-taken-leave-of-your-senses looks. "But, Carla, you know how bad her walking has g...

from the series: Putting It All Together: Repertoire Marvin Blickenstaff, Editor "Listen carefully." How many times did you use that phrase yesterday in your lessons? Listen...for what? How? Why? Most of us readily would agree that the hallmarks of artistic playing involve shaping of sound, balance of the texture, and tone color appropria...

One of our writers says, "Our country must lead the world in proliferation of elementary method books." Some teachers swear by their favorite method and have been teaching it for years. Others try every new method that comes on the market, always looking for something new and different. Some teachers feel that different children require different a...