Performance Class: Piano History and Caring for our Instruments

Miniature piano that I am teaching students to make using Perler Beads.

This month, my students are learning the history of the piano, how it works, and the importance of caring for their instrument. As we study, students are laying the groundwork for miniature pianos that they are creating as keepsakes. They work on this each week while listening to their relaxing Suzuki CD or as a quiet activity while another student is taking their lesson. To help students understand how a piano works, I purchased a piano action model. They will be learning the various parts and explaining how it works as their assignment.

James and Karis identifying parts of the piano
 action model and explaining how it works.

Dr. Hagberg

Dr. Karen Hagberg, President of the Suzuki Piano Basics Foundation, and author of "Stage Presence from Head to Toe: A Manual for Musicians", wrote a highly informative article in the Piano Basics newsletter titled "Does a Clean Piano Have Better Tone: Or....Do you wash your hands before or after playing your instrument?" (Pages 5-7).  Students, parents and I enjoyed discussing the article together. Karen is such an inspiring teacher and mentor to so many of us, and her article was right on time! "All" of her writings in addition to Kataoka's are of focus and discussion at our studio. To read more articles from Dr. Hagberg, as well as other outstanding writers regarding piano pedagogy and Suzuki piano studies/method, I strongly recommend joining the Suzuki Piano Basics Foundation. The organization has been a life changer for me and my style of teaching.

Shared with parents and students the
products that I use in caring for my piano

Students wash hands before playing.
Hand sanitizer also available.

To work in harmony with the article discussed, we had a piano tuner and technician visit as a special guest during performance class! His name is Keith Morris. He has been tuning for 45 years and does such an outstanding job!! He was accompanied by his wife, Kathy, and his daughter Alicia! 

To see more photos of this event, visit our gallery:  Piano History and Caring For the Instrument.


Sending out lots of love! 


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Interesting Articles and Videos
VIDEOS
-The First Piano by Bartolomeo Cristofori -Piano to Forte. The History of How Piano Changed Music Regionals ARTICLES:
-How a Piano Works -How to Clean a Piano -Grand Piano Action Diagram