How to Encourage Piano Students to Play in Rhythm

In this piano pedagogy tip of the day, Mario Ajero shares some tips to piano teachers who have students that have difficulty playing in rhythm or at a steady tempo. One suggestion is for piano teachers to play along more with students so they hear and feel immediately when their rhythm is out-of-sync with the teacher.

Rossini Overture to Barber of Seville (4 pianos, 16 hands)

The Overture to The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) performed on four pianos by sixteen hands. Recorded from the 2011 Keyboard Scholarship Fundraiser Concert at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Conducted by Gene Moon.

For more information about piano studies at SFA, go to:
http://music.sfasu.edu

Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel

Nio Ajero performs "Canon in D" by Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706), arranged by Fred Kern. ;
This arrangement comes from the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library Piano Lessons Book 5:http://www.halleonard.com/piano
MIDI accompaniment is played through a beta version of Home Concert on the iPad controlling the tone generator on a Yamaha Disklavier Mark IV Pro Grand Piano:http://www.timewarptech.com

Formats available: MPEG-4 Video (.m4v), Quicktime (.mov)

The Bass Man Walketh by Bill Boyd

Nio Ajero performs two renditions of "The Bass Man Walketh" by Bill Boyd from the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library Piano Solos Book 5.

Version 1: Unaccompanied acoustic piano

Version 2: With MIDI accompaniment on Yamaha Clavinova CVP-407 with the help of Home Concert on the iPad

Courtesy of the Hal Leonard Corporation: http://www.halleonard.com/piano

Home Concert on the iPad coming soon from TimeWarp Technologies: http://www.timewarptech.com

Group 1 Harmonic Minor Scales

Nio Ajero demonstrates the fingering for playing Group 1 (cgdae) Harmonic Minor scales, two octaves up and down, hands together in parallel motion.

Common Problems of Elementary Piano Students

Piano pedagogy students at Stephen F. Austin State University created this video project aimed at teachers of elementary piano students. Their purpose was to discuss common problems teachers may face with young students and illustrate possible solutions for them. To learn more about the School of Music at Stephen F. Austin State University, go to: http://music.sfasu.edu

Review of Alicia's Keys for Clavier Companion

Video Review of "Alicia's Keys" piano software by Native Instruments for Clavier Companion magazine.
To read the full review, read the January/February 2011 edition of Clavier Companion:http://www.claviercompanion.com

Formats available: MPEG-4 Video (.m4v)