Mozart’s Memos

Want an article about something specific? Now you can search with keywords. Try, “practice technique,” “piano purchase,” or “piano tuner” to get specific articles about a topic.

Purchasing a Keyboard or Piano (Part 2 of 2) - Volume 19
PAMELA CORNELL PAMELA CORNELL

Purchasing a Keyboard or Piano (Part 2 of 2) - Volume 19

Feature Article - Purchasing a Keyboard or Piano (Part 2 of 2)

Last month I gave features to look for when making your keyboard purchase. However, if you have a choice, I would ALWAYS choose the piano over the keyboard. Number one reason? It sounds better!

Keyboards get their sound by recording someone playing a concert grand. Nicer digital pianos will have several recordings for each key, while the more inexpensive keyboards will have much less. Each key on a piano has at least 35 points of adjustment, meaning an accomplished pianist can create multiple sounds from each key just by the way it is touched and played.  A simple example would be by playing staccato.  A keyboard has a certain amount of reverb programmed into each key, making it impossible to play a true, quick staccato. On a piano, there are various degrees of staccato depending on how crisp and short the note should be played.  Students that learn solely on a keyboard are at a huge disadvantage in their technique and quality of sound.  

Aside from this, here are some other pros of the piano versus a keyboard.   

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Purchasing a Keyboard or Piano (Part 1 of 2) - Volume 18
PAMELA CORNELL PAMELA CORNELL

Purchasing a Keyboard or Piano (Part 1 of 2) - Volume 18

Feature Article - Purchasing a Keyboard or Piano (Part 1 of 2)

This two-part article will give you specifics to look for when making the decision to purchase your instrument. Today I will focus on purchasing a keyboard. Next month will focus on purchasing a piano. 

In today's academically competitive environment, many parents recognize the value of music education for their child. However, purchasing a piano for piano lessons is not always a viable option. There are many pros for having a keyboard instead of a piano. But, be careful! There are some keyboards that will actually hinder your child's ability to play!

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45 Boredom Busters For Piano Practice - Volume 17
PAMELA CORNELL PAMELA CORNELL

45 Boredom Busters For Piano Practice - Volume 17

This Memo includes

  • Feature Article: 45 Boredom Busters for Piano Practice

  • Student Achievements - recognizing the hard work and accomplishments from our students in the last month.

  • Upcoming MOM events includes next Crescendo Kids start date of February 15, 2022,

  • Parents Ask Pam - Which class should my child start with?

Feature Article - 45 Boredom Busters For Piano Practice

This week I’ve had two students tell me they love playing the piano, but they are struggling with practicing because it is so boring! I have some ideas of my own to change this up, but I figured let’s see what other teachers have come up with as well. After a quick online search, here are some of my favorite boredom busters to liven up your child’s practice time.

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Private Lessons Vs. Crescendo Kids - Mozart’s Monthly Memo - Volume 16
PAMELA CORNELL PAMELA CORNELL

Private Lessons Vs. Crescendo Kids - Mozart’s Monthly Memo - Volume 16

This Memo includes

  • Feature Article: Private Lessons Vs. Crescendo Kids

  • Student Achievements - recognizing the hard work and accomplishments from our students in the last month.

  • Upcoming MOM events includes Holiday Recital

  • Parents Ask Pam - Do you offer discounts for siblings?

Feature Article - Private Lessons Vs. Crescendo Kids

Piano is the easiest instrument to learn and the hardest instrument to master!  Traditionally, if you wanted your child to learn to play the piano, you signed them up for private piano lessons. . . . Crescendo Kids was designed to meet the parents’ desires of an early piano education that also met the child’s learning style and abilities at their very young ages. It has three main objectives.

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