This is delightful! Semester updates forge connection, and however close or distant they are, the world is better when people are connected. Thank you for your work. Your practice tips and insights have been helpful and encouraging.
Thank you so much for this kind comment! It means a lot to hear that my practice videos have been helpful for you. Wishing you all the best in your own musical journey! 🎹✨
Your channel is wonderful. I love your insight and appreciate all the time you spend in developing your videos. Looking forward to more in 2025 and this semester update was great - please continue them.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the videos and this latest update. I'll plan to do another one at the end of spring semester, 2025!
I do find this type of video interesting as it provides background context for the main content you provide. Your tips and insights have been very helpful for me.
I love your channel. When on holidays in summer I binge watched many of the practice tutorials and really could implement a lot when back at home. I would appreciate your thoughts on how to overcome performance anxiety and also what it means to really get a piece up to performance level. Thanks for your personal insights, love your dog ;)
Thank you so much - I’m thrilled to hear the tutorials have been helpful and that you could implement the ideas at home! Performance anxiety is such an important topic - I’ll definitely consider diving into it in the future. So glad you enjoy the personal insights - and Tucker says hi! 😊🐾
So touching how you get personal about the challenges of your professional life and sharing how you deal with them . Really enjoyed that Kate 🏠 Joe from Switzerland
Thank you, Joe! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It was helpful to reflect on the past semester, and making this video gave me the opportunity to do that. It means a lot to know it resonates. Greetings to Switzerland! 🏠🎹
This is a great look behind the scenes. I’m super excited about your Fanny Hensel project. I’d love to see some of your more academic work and presentations on this channel if that’s something you’d be interested in/able to share.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the “behind the scenes” update - I find semester breaks are a natural time to reflect and plan ahead, so I’ll do my best to make another one at the end of the spring semester.
This is a fabulous synopsis. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I definitely look forward to more of your work. I’m still learning on my own but have stopped TH-cam videos except for yours. I’ve advanced enough to learn from just reading the music and playing. Your instructive videos help with the technical difficulties. So many thanks. I’m glad you’re advancing too, and expanding the music journey. Many many thanks. Happy Holidays
Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s wonderful to hear about your progress, and I’m so glad my videos are helping you with the technical challenges along the way. Wishing you continued enjoyment on your musical journey and a very happy holiday season!
Your videos are amazing and I learned more from your videos. And is there any tips to play octaves in left hand jumping fast coordinating the octave in right hand too. The piece I feel difficult to play is trinity piano grade 8 2021--2023 syllabus "The cascades " by Joplin. Also could you able to upload videos for trinity piano grades that it would be a way useful for me.!!!! Thank you for your amazing videos,😂😂
Thank you so much - I’m glad my videos have been helpful! Octaves can definitely be tricky, especially in a piece like "The Cascades." One tip I have is to focus on the notes that are closest together in the left-hand jumps - like the top of the octave or the bottom of the chord. Letting your hand “aim” for these smaller distances can make the jumps feel smoother and more accurate. Stay relaxed and start slow, then gradually build up speed. As for Trinity piano grades, I’ll keep that in mind for future videos! Wishing you all the best with your practicing.🎹🥳
Interesting. I finally knew where you live but it’s shame your university is too far away from my reach cause I’m in New Jersey. What’s your recommendation in terms of a top school in New York??
Thanks for watching! I actually have students from the East Coast and even some international students, so distance doesn’t always have to be a barrier! When it comes to finding a top school, there are so many variables to consider, but the most important factor is finding a teacher you really connect with. I made a video about applying to college piano programs that might help you navigate this process-here’s the link: th-cam.com/video/x9AwNoI3f5g/w-d-xo.html Best of luck with your search!
Oh no, that’s a tough spot to be in! But remember, everyone’s musical journey is different - and even virtuosos were beginners once. Focus on continuing to learn, and enjoying your progress. That’s what truly matters! 😊
I really enjoy your content that you produce, even if some of it flies over my head due to being lower ability levels. I wish I could meet a piano teacher where I loved who could explain things how you do but actually be in person. I just feel very compromised by the British way of doing things which is: 3x Grade 1 pieces from ABRSM. Pass test. 3x Grade 2 pieces. Rinse and repeat. 24 pieces later, you're a certified Grade 8 pianist...but are you really? I just dont wnjoy the cookie cutter approach. My teacher is trying to go against that approach as German music education is very different, so I'm trying to almost learn 'the German way' but I do find things incredibly overwhelming at times. I don't connect emotionally with a lot of the music that is presented at Grades 2-3, partly because so much of it sounds so juvenile, but because the pieces are typically so short there isnt anything to sink my teeth into. Bearing in mind that I come from progressive rock drumming where a 15 minute track was classed as short, playing a 60s long piano piece is far from edifying. We're currently trying to rebuild my relationship with the piano because it is broken currently. It is difficult when I have constant self-doubt because my teachers piano is quite poor. Sorry for the long comment. Not sure where I'm going with it, other than to say that I wish I had an opportunity to work with somebody of your calibre but closer to home. I look forward to more content in the future. 😊
Thank you for sharing this - I can hear how passionate you are about pursuing the piano. The "cookie-cutter" approach can be frustrating, and I’m glad your teacher is helping you find a path that feels more personal. Rebuilding your relationship with the piano is no small task, but it’s clear you’re putting in the effort. One thing I like about leveled collections is that they offer a variety of pieces at the same level without needing to buy a lot of books. An advantage of shorter pieces is being able to engage with a variety of compositional styles and pianistic challenges, which helps students advance and grow without getting stuck on one or two pieces for many months. Your frustration with the brevity of the pieces at your level makes me wonder if you might enjoy adding improvisation to your practice routine - that would allow you to play longer pieces and focus on self-expression, which could complement those shorter, more structured piano pieces you're working on. Yes, a lot of pieces at Level 2-3 are juvenile, but there are some out there that aren't, especially some of the purpose-written material by contemporary piano pedagogy composers. Good luck on your continued piano journey! 🎹
Love this!!
This new faculty member appreciates you and all you do at Butler and beyond!
Aww, thanks, Penny! I hope you have a wonderful, well-deserved break! See you in 2025!
This is delightful! Semester updates forge connection, and however close or distant they are, the world is better when people are connected. Thank you for your work. Your practice tips and insights have been helpful and encouraging.
Thank you so much for this kind comment! It means a lot to hear that my practice videos have been helpful for you. Wishing you all the best in your own musical journey! 🎹✨
Your channel is wonderful. I love your insight and appreciate all the time you spend in developing your videos. Looking forward to more in 2025 and this semester update was great - please continue them.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the videos and this latest update. I'll plan to do another one at the end of spring semester, 2025!
I do find this type of video interesting as it provides background context for the main content you provide. Your tips and insights have been very helpful for me.
Thank you so much for your feedback! It’s great to hear that my videos have been helpful for you. I’ll be sure to keep sharing more!
Dear Kate, thanks a lot for sharing, I adore this kind of videos, and really hope to see more in future!
You're very welcome! Glad you enjoyed the update, I'll definitely try to post more of these in the future 😊
I love your channel. When on holidays in summer I binge watched many of the practice tutorials and really could implement a lot when back at home. I would appreciate your thoughts on how to overcome performance anxiety and also what it means to really get a piece up to performance level. Thanks for your personal insights, love your dog ;)
Thank you so much - I’m thrilled to hear the tutorials have been helpful and that you could implement the ideas at home! Performance anxiety is such an important topic - I’ll definitely consider diving into it in the future. So glad you enjoy the personal insights - and Tucker says hi! 😊🐾
So touching how you get personal about the challenges of your professional life and sharing how you deal with them . Really enjoyed that Kate 🏠
Joe from Switzerland
Thank you, Joe! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It was helpful to reflect on the past semester, and making this video gave me the opportunity to do that. It means a lot to know it resonates. Greetings to Switzerland! 🏠🎹
@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd ....and a very very mer-ry Christmas to you Kate - "the teacher everyone wish they had" 🎇
This is a great look behind the scenes. I’m super excited about your Fanny Hensel project. I’d love to see some of your more academic work and presentations on this channel if that’s something you’d be interested in/able to share.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the “behind the scenes” update - I find semester breaks are a natural time to reflect and plan ahead, so I’ll do my best to make another one at the end of the spring semester.
This is a fabulous synopsis. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I definitely look forward to more of your work.
I’m still learning on my own but have stopped TH-cam videos except for yours. I’ve advanced enough to learn from just reading the music and playing. Your instructive videos help with the technical difficulties. So many thanks.
I’m glad you’re advancing too, and expanding the music journey.
Many many thanks.
Happy Holidays
Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s wonderful to hear about your progress, and I’m so glad my videos are helping you with the technical challenges along the way.
Wishing you continued enjoyment on your musical journey and a very happy holiday season!
I found the video interesting. All your videos are great😊
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the video, and I really appreciate your kind words 😊.
Your videos are amazing and I learned more from your videos. And is there any tips to play octaves in left hand jumping fast coordinating the octave in right hand too. The piece I feel difficult to play is trinity piano grade 8 2021--2023 syllabus "The cascades " by Joplin. Also could you able to upload videos for trinity piano grades that it would be a way useful for me.!!!! Thank you for your amazing videos,😂😂
Thank you so much - I’m glad my videos have been helpful! Octaves can definitely be tricky, especially in a piece like "The Cascades." One tip I have is to focus on the notes that are closest together in the left-hand jumps - like the top of the octave or the bottom of the chord. Letting your hand “aim” for these smaller distances can make the jumps feel smoother and more accurate. Stay relaxed and start slow, then gradually build up speed.
As for Trinity piano grades, I’ll keep that in mind for future videos! Wishing you all the best with your practicing.🎹🥳
Thank you very much for your sweet and kind reply!! 😊😊
Interesting. I finally knew where you live but it’s shame your university is too far away from my reach cause I’m in New Jersey. What’s your recommendation in terms of a top school in New York??
Thanks for watching! I actually have students from the East Coast and even some international students, so distance doesn’t always have to be a barrier!
When it comes to finding a top school, there are so many variables to consider, but the most important factor is finding a teacher you really connect with. I made a video about applying to college piano programs that might help you navigate this process-here’s the link: th-cam.com/video/x9AwNoI3f5g/w-d-xo.html
Best of luck with your search!
Piano Jury horror story? When the beginner (me) has to follow the virtuoso playing the same piece?
Oh no, that’s a tough spot to be in! But remember, everyone’s musical journey is different - and even virtuosos were beginners once. Focus on continuing to learn, and enjoying your progress. That’s what truly matters! 😊
I really enjoy your content that you produce, even if some of it flies over my head due to being lower ability levels.
I wish I could meet a piano teacher where I loved who could explain things how you do but actually be in person. I just feel very compromised by the British way of doing things which is:
3x Grade 1 pieces from ABRSM. Pass test. 3x Grade 2 pieces. Rinse and repeat. 24 pieces later, you're a certified Grade 8 pianist...but are you really? I just dont wnjoy the cookie cutter approach.
My teacher is trying to go against that approach as German music education is very different, so I'm trying to almost learn 'the German way' but I do find things incredibly overwhelming at times. I don't connect emotionally with a lot of the music that is presented at Grades 2-3, partly because so much of it sounds so juvenile, but because the pieces are typically so short there isnt anything to sink my teeth into. Bearing in mind that I come from progressive rock drumming where a 15 minute track was classed as short, playing a 60s long piano piece is far from edifying.
We're currently trying to rebuild my relationship with the piano because it is broken currently. It is difficult when I have constant self-doubt because my teachers piano is quite poor.
Sorry for the long comment. Not sure where I'm going with it, other than to say that I wish I had an opportunity to work with somebody of your calibre but closer to home.
I look forward to more content in the future. 😊
Thank you for sharing this - I can hear how passionate you are about pursuing the piano. The "cookie-cutter" approach can be frustrating, and I’m glad your teacher is helping you find a path that feels more personal. Rebuilding your relationship with the piano is no small task, but it’s clear you’re putting in the effort.
One thing I like about leveled collections is that they offer a variety of pieces at the same level without needing to buy a lot of books. An advantage of shorter pieces is being able to engage with a variety of compositional styles and pianistic challenges, which helps students advance and grow without getting stuck on one or two pieces for many months. Your frustration with the brevity of the pieces at your level makes me wonder if you might enjoy adding improvisation to your practice routine - that would allow you to play longer pieces and focus on self-expression, which could complement those shorter, more structured piano pieces you're working on.
Yes, a lot of pieces at Level 2-3 are juvenile, but there are some out there that aren't, especially some of the purpose-written material by contemporary piano pedagogy composers. Good luck on your continued piano journey! 🎹