Musical Philosophy

The world is filled with music, if we but listen: the water burbling in a fountain, the call of early morning birds, the rhythm of tires on pavement, the slap of a basketball on a court, the chatter of conversations, the ebb and flow of waves, the clink of glasses, the rustle of wind through leaves. Our environment is filled with melody and rhythm and chords of harmony and dissonance.  One ripple of sound leads to another.

I believe that there is music inside all of us, waiting for the keys to unlock the tunes.  And as each of us perceives and learns differently, piano lessons are tailored around the needs and desires of each participant.  Each student is encouraged to build best practice habits to be able to express the music that is inside of them.  Often the instruction is based on questions, rather than me telling them what to do.  This is called discovery-based learning.

Music making is not just rote learning.  As our emotions lead us to do and feel differently, so too, does making music.  We learn to control fingers and wrists, and use arm weight to express our songs. And each practice should lead to a better understanding of the relationship of the notations on the page and their interpretation into music.  It’s my job to offer questions leading to discovery by the student, with the guidance of wisdom from previous generations leading us to play better each time.  

The emphasis for lessons is based on classical music with other genre supplemented as interest is expressed.  Students will learn age appropriate skills using music theory, rhythm, technical drills, scales, arpeggios, chord structure, musical form, musical terminology, tempo & dynamics, and brief music history as they explore their music.

Here’s to making music!  

-Joy