12 The Way to Make Scales Easier (w/ Zac Adamson)
01/09/24 • 41 min
Is there only one way to finger scales? Do C, G, D, A, and E always start with left hand 54321? Zac Adamson says “no!” We discuss alternate scale fingerings and how they can help students (and you!) play with more natural ease and flow. During this episode, he demonstrates specific scales and their alternative fingerings on his piano and I try them out on my piano! Zac has created a diagram for you to use which simplifies things and allows you to see similarities and patterns. Zac is currently a Master’s student studying piano performance under Scott Holden at Brigham Young University. He teaches private and group classes to university non-music majors and also has his own studio of private piano students.
Article “Equal Rights for the Left” by Frederic Kirchberger
Is there only one way to finger scales? Do C, G, D, A, and E always start with left hand 54321? Zac Adamson says “no!” We discuss alternate scale fingerings and how they can help students (and you!) play with more natural ease and flow. During this episode, he demonstrates specific scales and their alternative fingerings on his piano and I try them out on my piano! Zac has created a diagram for you to use which simplifies things and allows you to see similarities and patterns. Zac is currently a Master’s student studying piano performance under Scott Holden at Brigham Young University. He teaches private and group classes to university non-music majors and also has his own studio of private piano students.
Article “Equal Rights for the Left” by Frederic Kirchberger
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BONUS: Clinton interviewed on Ultimate Music Teachers Podcast
This is my recent interview on the Ultimate Music Teachers Productivity and Profitability Podcast with host Glory St. Germain! Topics include: my various roles as a music educator, improvisation, enforcing policies, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, how to make lessons engaging, retention, performance anxiety, and more!
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13 The Way to Teach Theory Classes (w/ Glory St. Germain)
Teaching theory is a must . . . and it’s even better in groups! It’s more fun, students get social activity, they gain encouragement and support from their peers, and you can increase your income! Based on the Cooperative Learning Theory, students learn faster in small groups. You can also maximize your effectiveness by teaching several students all at once! Glory St. Germain joins to give us lots of information on how to implement such a program in your studio.
Start small by just offering a 6-week “camp.” Students can even bring a friend! Once the parents see that their child is not only learning but also having fun, begging them to come back, they will sign up for the rest of the year! You can also get potential students from local school bands, choirs, and orchestras. The directors will be delighted to send their students to you for theory!
Glory’s 3 things to remember:
- Connect theory to practical
- Celebrate small wins
- Foster a community of life-long learners
Example of a class outline:
- New concept
- Implementation
- Gamification
- Practical application
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