Articles By Mark Almond:
The Pathway To Music
Historically speaking, the most accurate and practical explanation of the nature of music stems from the year 1722. The fact that the best explanation of music has been treated as an insignificant “attachment” to the common traditions of music education has been a disaster on a scale which is impossible to measure. Since all music comes from simple relationships that are easy to understand, it should be obvious that this must be clearly communicated to everyone. As early as the 1890’s through to this very day, traditions in music education have been hiding important insights under a mountain of complexity. The number of teachers who are able to break through these obstacles are too few in number.
Success in music has a life changing impact upon every individual who makes it through the initial barriers. New studies continue to show that the quantity of information that can be carried by impulses in the brain speeds up tremendously as a result of music training. The pathways carrying the electrical impulses greatly expand in size allowing the amount of information to increase by up to three thousand times! Easy access to the benefits of experiencing music on a deep level has implications that are evidently much more important than we can even imagine. (more…)
Confessions of a Piano Quitter
The Story Behind the Piano for Life Video Collection
I still remember exactly what it was like to go to piano lessons at the age of five. I remember the precise color of the lighting in the basement at the home of my first piano teacher, and an unusual number of details about the various experiences with all four of the piano teachers from whom I took lessons between the ages of five and seven. My attempt to learn how to play the piano at an early age was not a failure, it was an unbroken string of failures. The most prominent memory I have of going to a lesson was the feeling of both dread and guilt because I was not ready with the assignment. I did learn that each of the four teachers I had over the two year period had to be handled differently. The same excuse (delivered with the same passionate intensity) that seemed to work with one may not work with the other. My communication skills, not my piano skills, were honed and elevated to a new level. Watch out for people who have had multiple piano teachers as a child, some of them may misuse their powers! (more…)
Note to Piano Teachers and Future Piano Teachers
Information about wholesale prices for piano teachers – see bottom paragraph!
Our DVD piano lessons break down and explain important concepts that will save piano teachers a tremendous amount of time and effort. The practical applications we demonstrate start from the very beginning of the program ensuring that a solid understanding of the rules of harmony are absorbed through strategically designed exercises. Some of the teachers that utilize this program have added a separate DVD room in addition to the regular lessons with the teacher. Many have also made the full program available to their students using the half price teacher discount below. (more…)
Innovative Strategies for Homeschool Families
Our DVD / video program presents new material that will allow homeschool families to experience unprecedented success in music education. Thirty years of research has led to the conviction that there have always been piano teachers who could do much more than just teach the commonly accepted materials of music. These teachers, often called composition teachers in the past, could also explain the core principles of the nature of harmony. Understanding harmony is equal to understanding music itself, and produces almost unbelievable results. (more…)
Practice Tips from Mark Almond #3
In this section I have some encouraging news. It is within your reach to set some short term goals that not only will lay a solid foundation, but also be extremely satisfying musically. Within days, or a few weeks, depending on your practice schedule, you can make giant progress if you focus on a few strategically designed short term goals.
Chord Charts, Lead Sheets, Fake Books
All of these titles are really describing the same thing. All kinds of music, even classical music, can be purchased with a single note melody, written for the right hand, and the chord symbols written right above this melodic line. (more…)
Practice Tips from Mark Almond #2
There are different ways to divide your practice time. Sitting at the piano reading music is only one of the various aspects of piano practice. The division I believe to be both complete and practical involves five different areas. The thing that has helped me improve the most over the years is a flexible approach toward each of these areas. In this session we will describe all five in general for a basic understanding of each. Although some personality types need and even enjoy regimentation and consistency in scheduling their practice, others need a flexible system that allows them to really immerse themselves in different areas of practice at different times. (more…)
Practice Tips from Mark Almond #1
Our goal is to know for sure that we are making efficient progress when we spend time practicing the piano. There are a few things that can prevent us from reaching this goal before we even get started. First on the list is our understanding of the thing we call “talent.” What really is the number one key element in talent, even when we consider the long history of those who have accomplished the most at the piano? (more…)
Turning Points in The History Of Piano Instruction
Here is a full written answer to a music educator’s question dealing with the main turning points in the history of music education. This explains why piano teachers and music educators continually jump to false conclusions about the Piano for Life program. It also explains why at least two Juilliard graduates and dozens of other piano teachers use our program as a supplement that provides concrete practical materials that lead to a more efficient and a more complete mastery of the instrument.
I have included his e-mail to me first:
Dear Mark,
I first came across your Piano for Quitters video when I was living in New York about 10 years ago. I was just getting started as a piano teacher back then, though I had played and taught drums for many years before that. I had also trained as a music therapist, and my experiences in that field had already shown me just how limiting and stressful the conventional approach to music teaching is. I found your video absolutely riveting, and I still use some of your techniques today (with appropriate credit to you and recommendations that people should buy your DVD!) (more…)
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