Today we’re talking about how to teach the Scherzo in D Minor Op.172, No.9 by Cornelius Gurlitt. This is a very exciting and motivating etude for intermediate students.

Piano teachers want their students to listen to music!

Additionally, the Baroque era is the most antiquated to twenty-first century ears. Therefore, it’s especially important" that students become aurally familiar with this style in general before and during the process of tackling Baroque repertoire.

Today we’re talking about how to teach Warrior’s Song which is etude No.15 from Stephen Heller’s Op.45. This piece is an excellent study in playing big, loud chords and is excellent preparation for pieces like Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C# Minor and the first movement of Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata.

Today we’re talking about how to teach the second movement of Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata Op.13. This famous piece offers a myriad of learning opportunities for students; I’ve decided to focus on rhythm and tempo, balance of melody and accompaniment, and ornaments.

Today we're talking about how to teach the first movement of Friedrich Kuhlau’s Sonatina in A Minor Op.88, No.3. This is a relatively unknown piece that packs a lot of punch.

In the YouTube video below, I focused on analyzing the sonata form in this movement as I would with an intermediate student. I also found myself answering the question of “what’s the point of intermediate piano lessons?”

Today we're talking about how to teach The Wild Rider Op.68, No.8, also known as The Wild Horseman, from Robert Schumann’s Album for the Young.

Amazon Prime Days are July 8-11, 2025!

Here is a quick compilation of items that I have particularly enjoyed in my studio in the past year. Let me know in the comments what your 2025 favorites have been!

Today we're talking about how to teach one of Chopin’s easiest pieces, the Waltz in A Minor. This piece is a great preparation for more difficult Chopin.

Today we're talking about piano practice techniques, specifically as they apply to the 3rd movement of Kuhlau’s Sonatina in A Minor Op.88, No.3.

Today we're talking about the very famous Rondo alla turca from Mozart’s Sonata in A Major, K.331.

Today we're talking about the very beautiful Notturno Op.54, No.4 from Edvard Grieg's Lyric Pieces. Not only is this piece worthy of study in its own right, it is also provides fabulous preparation for students who want to play Clair de lune by Claude Debussy.

Today we’re talking about how to teach Burlesque (also spelled Burlesk or Burlesq) from the Notebook for Wolfgang, often attributed to Leopold Mozart. This is a great teaching piece, particularly for broken octaves.

Today we’re discussing how to teach the lyrical Sonata in B-flat Major, K.570 by Mozart. While it is more mature than the K.545, it is still within reach for upper intermediate or early advanced students.

Today we’re discussing how to teach the ever-popular Arabesque Op.100, No.2 by Johann Friedrich Burgmüller. Students love playing this fast etude; however, teachers are often tired of this piece due to subpar student performances. Check out the video below to hear my impersonation of a typical student performance!

To that end, I also demonstrated specific practice techniques to prevent or rehabilitate typical problems.

Today, we’re discussing how to teach Song Op.27, No. 2 from Kabalevsky's Thirty Pieces for Children. Kabalevsky once wrote that all pedagogical music could be categorized as song, dance, and march. This piece is a wonderful example of a beautiful song written for students.

Check out my workshop about Kabalevsky here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/replay-friends-114442043

Today we’re talking about how to teach Debussy’s Prelude subtitled Girl with the Flaxen Hair (La fille aux cheveux de lin in French). This beautiful piece can be deceptively tough, so be sure to watch the part of the video where I discuss the essentials for students working on Debussy.

Today in our How To Teach Intermediate Piano Repertoire series we are looking at Bach’s Invention No.8 in F Major. I prefer to teach this as my student’s first invention, unless I feel Invention No.1 is more suitable.

To view my video covering the Invention No.1, please click here.

To view my video covering the Invention No.13, please click here.

To view my video covering the Invention No.14, please click here.

Amazon Prime Days are July 16-17, 2024!

Here is a quick compilation of items that I have particularly enjoyed in my studio in the past year. Let me know in the comments what your 2024 favorites have been!

Today we’re talking about how to teach the Sonatina in G Major by Ludwig van Beethoven. This piece seems easy, but contains several technical skills and valuable learning objectives.

Today we’re talking about how to teach The Avalanch Op.45, No.2 by Stephen Heller. This dramatic 19th-century etude has some real technical challenges but is otherwise easy to learn, and it’s very fun to play!