When I started performing, I noticed that I played too fast; because of the adrenalin, I guess. So I learned to take tempos that Read More »

So the adult says that it’s hard to make a living in the performing arts, which is true; and the Young Person Dreaming of a career says the adult doesn’t understand, which Read More »

In playing chords, as you know, we can vary the tone-color by bringing out the soprano, or the bass, or the soprano and the bass; or the inner voices. And we can make a “banging” sound by Read More »

Music is a dance that provides its own accompaniment. Read More »

Talent is the ability to learn despite being taught. Read More »

A word that many only whisper. 
Ten-i-n.
Is it so awful?
T-ns--n.

Yes, tension.

And no, it’s not bad. In fact, tension is necessary for playing! Play with no tension, and you’ll Read More »

A “Halloween Hoot” party in the yard at our son’s elementary school was grossly too loud; and still too loud two blocks away(!) as I walked home. This led me to research and write this noise policy. Read More »

My friend Edward Auer, a fellow student of Aube Tzerko, once asked me to help him choose a stereo system. This was in the era B.D.—before digital—back when the Long-Playing record ruled the roost; and on our visit to a fancy Beverly Hills audio dealer, Edward brought along an LP of Read More »

Could I write a mystery novel?

Would it be any good?

Nine and Fifty-Four

I no sooner learned the magic of quote-marks, at nine years old, than a grown-up threw cold water on my attempt to write fiction; but at 54, I turned to it to help deal with stress in another arena. Meanwhile, I’d become Read More »

Because it’s a delight. The Curmudgeon comments, “Playing the cello, she sometimes seemed to be playing a different instrument from others. It’s interesting, though, that her piano-playing showed Read More »