Free Online Piano Lessons and Piano Playing Articles
- On the Philosophical in Music: "Unconsummated" Symbolism in Beethoven's Piano Sonatas, Opp. 106 and 110. Published in Kairos, Revue de philosophie, 21: Philosophie et musique. Toulouse, France: Presses Universitaires du Mirail, 2003, pp. 283-305.
By way of caution, this is an academic article by necessity, which uses two late Beethoven piano sonatas to illustrate how music conveys meaning. I had to be extremely careful with philosophical terminology, which is fairly dense, so it's really for advanced readers.
- Efficient Piano Practice: 10 Expert Tips: I receive a number of requests from visitors asking about efficient piano practice. In reply to these requests, here are some expert tips I've developed over the years that can help you make the most of your practice time.
- Piano scales: 10 Expert practice tips: A thorough study of piano scales is vital to playing musically and with confidence. Nonetheless, while virtually all piano music has scales literally left and right, all too many students view scale practice as needless tedium rather than essential elements of music's expressive vocabulary. Here are ten quality practice tips for students and teachers.
- Piano Technique Control, or: On Listening: Reflections on Andras Schiff's Haydn recital at the Vienna Konzerthaus. Andras Schiff gave Vienna audiences an object lesson on what performing music is all about. This article also contains the Holy Grail of piano technique, so do read carefully...
- Carl Czerny: Friend or Foe? Is practicing Czerny etudes actually bad for your pianistic health? This brief article exposes little-known facts about Beethoven's pupil.

