For My Students

Music to Enjoy

A great way to improve your playing is to listen to great performances and great music. For 2022-2023, I'm challenging all my students to listen to a few of these great pieces.

• Invention 1 by J.S. Bach, performed on harpsichord by Nenad Leonart

• Air and Variations (The Harmonious Blacksmith) by G.F. Händel, performed on harpsichord by Katarzyna Kowalik

• Ronda alla turca by W.A. Mozart, performed by Lang Lang (traditional, with flair) and Yuja Wang (reimagined!)

• Rondo a capriccio (Rage Over a Lost Penny) by Ludwig van Beethoven, performed by Adela Liculescu

• Nocturne in E flat major, Op. 9 No. 2 by Frédèric Chopin, performed by Valentina Lisitsa

• La Campanella by Franz Liszt, performed by Jonah Ho (age 10!)

• The Snow is Dancing from Children's Corner by Claude Debussy, performed by Boris Berman

• The Easy Winners by Scott Joplin, performed by Cory Hall

• The Cat and the Mouse by Aaron Copland, performed by Bingnyu Liu

Amazing Apps

There are so many great apps available for piano students. Here are a few of my current favorites:

• Note Rush (Apple, Android, $4.99) - This note name app uses the piano, so students build the direct relationship between what they see and what they play. There are five levels, and the app keeps track of the students best time!

• Flashnote Derby (Apple, Android, $4.99) - A fun way to improve on note naming skills. This app is very customizable - great for any level student.

• Ningenius (Apple, $2.99) - This app has it all! This karate themed app that works on both note reading and rhythm skills is a student favorite.

• Rhythm Lab (Apple, $5.99) - As the name suggests, this one focuses on improving rhythm skills. This is an extensive app: plenty of levels, options for both one or two handed rhythms, etc. Again, great for any level student.

• The Most Addicting Sheep Game (Apple, $0.99) - This game is just plain fun, and it works on learning a steady beat as well as hand-eye coordination without the students realizing they're learning!

Manuscript Paper

If you need blank music paper to compose your own songs, visit Blanksheetmusic.net.