Blog

As a member of the Piano Technicians Guild, I have attended and presented at many piano technical seminars.  The number 10,000 often comes up as an approximate number of parts in a modern piano.  At the C F Theodore Steinway Music Academy in New York, I...

The online or virtual lesson experience offers different challenges from the previously more common in person lesson.  For one thing, it is important to stay engaged with the student, which is the responsibility of the...

I begin every day by switching on the retro-radio in my kitchen and enjoying a cup of freshly brewed coffee.  This is a nice way to start things off.  Soon after I will exercise a bit and begin what I hope will be a busy day.  Now, however, I am...

The music lesson is a rewarding experience.  Here are a few adult students who influenced me and added to my love of the piano and the joy of teaching. Aziza Brendel was introduced to me by her instructor who wanted to place her with another teacher at that...

This is a perfect time to learn to play an instrument.  Music lessons online are widely available from every music school (including ours), by music teachers in Oak Park and nearly everywhere.  Sign up! Learn to play an instrument! While making...

Yesterday while teaching from home (the Covid-19 Shelter at Home period still in place), I experienced a moment that made me feel something special.  In teaching music, part of our efforts are to help students to play their best, while at the same time...

Driving past my Oak Park Music School and seeing it now vacant during the Shelter at Home period, along with all the other businesses along Lake Street, elicits an eerie feeling.  Only weeks ago, villagers visited the bookstore next door and the restaurants...

Music is said to be a universal language.  It can mean different things to different people, however the techniques involved in learning and practicing music can be very similar for any instrument.  Most of what is written below is applicable to...

“We’re in this together.”  Those are popular words during this unpopular time. I think a lot about our students at The Cappelli Institute of Music, most of whom have transitioned to lessons online via Zoom, FaceTime and Skype. Our online lessons are going...