Blog

by Tim Topham

For anyone who still believes in a high finger technique and isn’t familiar with the Taubman approach to technique: watch the following video (and the next three in the sequence). This will be the best 50 mins of YouTubing you’ll do this year! For more information, check out the Taubman Institute and Golandsky Institute websites. ... Dorothy Taubman, Thomas Mark and practising without injury

by Tim Topham

I find it really valuable to have a second piano in the studio and prefer a digital as it gives me the opportunity of accompanying students with other instrument sounds, rhythms, drums, etc. and allows me my own time to practice with headphones if required (late night cramming!!). But what digital piano should you buy? ... The best digital piano action? Roland FP Series

by Tim Topham

Having recently tried my own experience of Skype piano lessons with a student in America, I came across these two clips by well-known US teacher Jarrod Radnich and his high-tech system of remote piano teaching. This technology not only allows you to communicate with a remote student by video, but to also see what your ... Remote piano teaching: Jarrod Rachnich, MIDI, Skype

by Tim Topham

Paul Barton is a pianist and teacher I’ve been following for some time on YouTube. He is an Englishman who now lives and teaches with his wife in Thailand, of all places. I found out the following about him from his studio website: Paul Barton has a post-graduate diploma from the Royal Academy of Arts, ... Piano Teaching Tips: YouTube tutorials from Paul Barton

by Tim Topham

Want a quick-win in your next lesson? One of the best ways I’ve found to get kids really motivated to play piano is by working on a 12 bar blues. There is heaps you can do with this simple framework, and it works for students of all levels – whether they are beginners or have been ... Teaching 12 Bar Blues to inspire beginners (especially boys!)

by Tim Topham

I’m currently holidaying in Bali and have really enjoyed reading “Hamlets Blackberry” by William Powers. This book argues how our insatiable desire to be connected and ever-attached to our “screens” (his generic term for anything digital connected to the Internet: phones, emails, computers, iPads, etc.) is actually causing far more harm and personal disconnection than ... Helping Students Disconnect through Piano | Hamlet’s Blackberry

Plans & Pricing

by Tim Topham

Much as been said about 22-year-old Uzbekistan pianist Behzod Abduraimov since he came to prominence after winning grand prize at the 2009 London International Piano Competition, and so it was with great anticipation that I went to his recital at the Recital Centre on Tuesday 27 March, 2012. One thing was instantly clear: this guy ... Behzod Abduraimov | Melbourne Recital Centre

by Tim Topham

I’ve long been looking for a well-designed, interactive app for aural training on iPhone and iPad and I think I’ve just found it!! Auralbook is the first that I’ve trailed that can actually analyse your singing and give you feedback on whether your answers are correct… and it actually works quite well! I’ve just tested ... Auralbook for iPhone/iPad | Must-have download for students

by Tim Topham

A couple of weeks ago, the VMTA ran a one-day piano teachers’ conference at Piano Time in South Melbourne. I always try to get along to these events as it’s great to network with other teachers and the presenters and learn new tricks and techniques to improve my teaching practice. The most interesting session for ... Julie Haskell answers questions on AMEB exams

by Tim Topham

OK, so I know that “fun” might be the wrong word to ever describe scales, but there are some great resources available to help make scale practice infinitely more interesting. As much as it can sometimes be tempting to throw scale practice out for good and just get on with music-making for both ourselves and ... How to make piano scales fun!

by Tim Topham

If you’re not familiar with this new track by Coldplay, it’s time to get acquainted! It’s getting a huge amount of airplay in Australia, is used regularly on promos for the TV series Revenge, and everyone seems to love it. It’s also become a piece which every kid wants to play on piano! I find ... Coldplay “Paradise” – a must-learn for piano teachers

by Tim Topham

Do rewards motivate people? Absolutely: They motivate people to get rewards! So states Daniel Pink in his engaging book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. According to his research, extrinsic rewards, particularly “if-then” or “contingent” rewards (“if you do this, then you’ll get that”) snuff out all self motivation and creativity, regardless of ... Why extrinsic rewards are so bad for motivation