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Effective Music Learning and Teaching Strategies

Welcome to a place where we explore effective music learning and teaching strategies. After taking lessons from childhood through college and after teaching private piano and guitar for over 30 years, T. H. Gillespie shares from his store of knowledge and experience.

The following posts will discuss issues, techniques, and methods focused on piano, guitar, and bass. We will cover issues in music learning and teaching strategies in general, but also ongoing issues students and parents face when taking private lessons.

You are invited to participate! Feel free to share comments and respond to blog posts. And you may have questions about music in general or about your specific situation. We welcome your questions and comments.

PIANO HAND POSTURE: TO CURVE OR NOT TO CURVE

proper posture for curved fingers

If I had a dime for every time I reminded piano students to keep their fingers curved, I’d be…well, you know…let’s just say my assets would rival those of Bill Gates (cha-ching!).  Some piano teachers choose not to focus too much on piano hand posture,… Continue reading

JOHN MELLENCAMP DOCUMENTARY: INSPIRED NOSTALGIA

john mellencamp documentary

The John Mellencamp documentary, IT’S ABOUT YOU, was filmed (on film) by Montana-based photographer, Kurt Markus, who traveled with rock and roll hall of famer Mellencamp and band for a period, filming portions of recording sessions and concerts. Included are several Mellencamp tunes from the… Continue reading

How To Make Piano Practice Fun: 10 Tips

10 WAYS TO MAKE PIANO PRACTICE FUN

Time flies when you’re having fun. That’s the rumor. But practice? Fun? Isn’t this an oxymoron? And you could say the same for guitar, or any other instrument. The fact is, making practice fun is not easy. Practice is hard work, involving repetitious drills and dogged pursuit… Continue reading