Dr. J. Mitzi Kolar Interview Compilation on Piano Lessons

My interview with Dr Kolar turned into a five-part series of video posts because we talked for almost TWO hours; an incredible amount of invaluable information for parents and teachers. Well, I've compiled the links and topics talked about for all five parts here for easy access. 

Click on the interviews for the video and a more detailed list of topics discussed.

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Insights Into the Making of Beginners Piano Method and a History of Piano Pedagogy

• What is piano pedagogy and how has it changed?
• What weaknesses were created with the original methods used to teach reading music?
  
• What is a comprehensive approach?
  
• What were some of the goals of the Celebrate Piano! Method during its inception?
  
• The “gap” between method books and the standard repertoire
  
• What happen to students when they first get to the standard repertoire if the gap isn’t properly bridged?
  
• Specific examples of how Celebrate Piano! Method bridges that gap
  
• Importance of properly sequenced concepts
• Unique elements of the Celebrate Piano! Method
  
• Improvements the authors of Celebrate Piano! Method would like to make with things they discovered after publishing the method

Specific Pedagogical Issues in Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin's Pieces

• 4 pedagogical issues present in Bach's pieces
  
• Weakest point in advanced performances of Bach
  
• Specific steps to teach a student how to balance between two hands
  
• Correct way to practice and vary scale practice
  
• Reasons to start practice of balance through the use of scales
  
• Bach's pieces sequenced in terms of difficulty
  
• 5 pedagogical issues in Beethoven's pieces
  
• Dr. Kolar's view on pedaling in Bach's music
  
• Steps to master and practice playing the alberti bass accompaniment pattern
  
• 3 pedagogical issues present in Chopin's pieces
  
• Good composer to play before introducing Chopin pieces
  
• Different ways to teach syncopated pedaling
• An important ability of a good piano teacher

4 Challenges in Teaching Rachmaninoff and Kabalevsky's Pieces, and How to Teach Rubato

• 4 pedagogical issues with Rachmaninoff's pieces
• A variety of ways to teach rubato
• How the Celebrate Piano! Method transformed a shy student
• Reasons why method books include lyrics in their pieces
• One thing pianists often get criticized for by other musicians
• One huge difference between piano and other instruments
• Common problems for students first learning to play with rubato
• A secret to great concert pianists' playing
• 4 pedagogical issues with Kabalevesky's pieces 

Piano Lessons: What Parents Need to Know

• How piano students have changed
  
• Challenges facing today's piano students
  
• Ways to keep a student's concentration and focus during a piano lesson
• Debated view Dr. Kolar has on a misconception about piano lessons
• An important realization parents need to have about piano lessons
• Discouraging statistic Dr. Kolar learned from one of her student's thesis about piano teachers
• One of my own biggest revelations about piano teaching
• Dr. Kolar's library essentials on repertoire guides
• Library essentials on teaching

Listening to Horowitz Live and the Importance of Attending Concerts

• Dr. Kolar’s Favorite pianists
• Specific characteristics Dr. Kolar likes in her favorite pianists
• Difference between the best pianists and the rest
• Dr. Kolar’s Favorite CDs
• Dr. Kolar’s go-to recordings for specific composers and repertoires
• How Dr. Kolar recommends pianist recordings for students to listen
• Dr. Kolar talks about her incredible experience listening to Horowitz live
• What impressed Dr. Kolar most about Horowitz
• Reasons parents should take their children to classical concerts

Have other great insights?

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