VYOMA SHAH
Delivering
content through podcasts has
been an exciting development in music. Music
educators are beginning to realize the burgeoning power
of podcasts in reaching out to wider audiences and in growing
their businesses.
Students of music have started to appreciate the benefits
of using podcasts – they’re ubiquitous, economical
and easily accessible. Since dependence on visual
representation of content is mostly not an option in this
case, podcasts go a long way in enriching their users’
auditory skills.
On this note, below is a subjective selection of a few piano
centric podcasts, which we found extremely interesting and
helpful:
Timtopham.com
Tim Topham’s skillfully crafted podcast is an exceptionally
useful tool for all piano instructors out there. It features
particularly helpful insights on several subjects that are
constantly on every educator’s mind – keeping students
consistently motivated, special needs teaching, art of
teaching practicing and dealing with teens, amongst others.
Another really beneficial subject that Tim covers on this
podcast is the integration of technology into teaching,
which is of utmost significance in today’s world.
Additionally, the podcast also brings aboard successful
educators that share resourceful tips on the business of
music education.
Piano with Willie
On this podcast, Pianist Wille Myette speaks about topics
such as how to put chords to a simple melody and the
theory behind creating different chord progressions.
The content explained on this podcast plays a very crucial
part in understanding the bigger and more challenging
aspects of piano playing. Pianist Willie Myette unravels the
complexities of harmonic concepts that contribute largely
to the overall development of a pianist.
Duane Shinn
Pianist Duane Shinn cuts right to the chase on his podcast.
Most of the episodes on the podcast focus on one major
outcome – enhancing overal l sound. He talks about
articulation, ornamentation, rapid-fire runs and methods
for innovative usage of chords to create many different
colors. Majority of the episodes on this podcast are ten
minutes or under and hence, they make for extremely
easy consumption.
Jazz Piano School
The Jazz universe, while aurally immensely enjoyable,
is also strikingly intricate. Learning Jazz piano can be
Piano
Podcasts:
overwhelming
and if not
approached
correctly, the
whole process can
be a bit vexing.
Brenden Lowe,
a professional
Jazz pianist and
educator has put
together a well
structured podcast
to alleviate the
frustration that could
arise while attempting
to imbibe the building
blocks of
Jazz piano.
Listen and
Learn
This podcast addresses
essential topics such as the art of
improvisation, voicings that are a
must have in one’s Jazz vocabulary
and the importance of rhythm while
soloing. Moreover, Brenden dissects and
analyzes the music of renowned Jazz pianists
like Bill Evans and Keith Jarret
as well.
If you’re eager and ready to delve into the world of
Jazz piano, definitely give this podcast a listen!
Performance Today: Piano Puzzler
Ever wondered how a Beatles song would sound if
Scarlatti wrote it? Or how a popular Broadway tune would
sound if it were Beethoven’s composition? Piano Puzzler
sates this curiosity by curating one episode a week, where
pianist Bruce Adolphe re-writes a familiar tune in the style
of one the greats.
Every week, they get a listener on the phone and he/
she is expected to guess the hidden tune as well as the
composer whose style Bruce is imitating. This podcast is
a productive source of inspiration for arrangement ideas,
for any pianist. Hosted by Fred Child, Piano Puzzler is all
about putting one’s classical music knowledge to test.
It’s safe to say that podcasts are no longer esoteric. From
Classical enthusiasts to Jazz aficionados, pianists everywhere
can learn from the best, anytime and anywhere!
The
Score Magazine
highonscore.com
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