Peter Jancewicz - Articles

Articles

Teaching music and playing the piano is an endlessly fascinating process for me. Every once in a while, I get the urge to take pen in hand, or let's be accurate, hunt and peck at a computer keyboard, and write down some thoughts I have on the subject. I have had the good fortune to have some of my articles published in Clavier Magazine (see below for a list), as well as many other publications such as the Canadian Music Teacher, La Scena Musicale, the Calgary Herald and a number of provincial RMT newsletters. Please feel free to read any of the linked articles. If you would like to publish one in your newsletter, all I ask is that I am properly credited with it, and that you include a short biography (click here) and include the address of this website. For information concerning the Clavier articles, kindly contact them at www.instrumentalistmagazine.com.

Of Means and Ends

Many students seem to have great difficulty in simply playing the right notes. In this essay, I examine the means necessary to arrive at the end, which in this case, is accuracy of playing.

10 Commandments of Piano Playing - A tongue-in-cheek, very serious set of commandments... um... rules... er... suggestions about effective practicing. A useful set of guidelines for the student to reach piano "heaven". To put the student in the appropriate playful mood for practicing, I recommend reading the 10 Commandments out loud in a Sylvester the Cat voice.

(from Bugs Bunny - I am a big fan...)

The Many Hats of the Piano Teacher - Piano teachers are called on to be many things, other than just teachers, although this is true of any good teacher. In this little essay, I talk about the many different hats a teacher must wear, from psychologist to policeman to musician.

How Does a Piano Make a Sound? - This little essay is actually the script for a segment I did for a radio show called MusicWise on CKUA in 2005. Listeners would submit questions, and they would be answered by professional musicians such as myself. If you still believe that to play louder on a piano, you must push the keys down harder, please read this!

Musicians and Alexander Technique - I have a confession to make. I am a pianist with a repetitive strain injury. But! I am one of the fortunate ones to have recovered, and Alexander Technique was one of the critical factors in my recovery. For more information, read the essay and/or click on this Alexander Technique link. My teacher, Trevor Allan Davies, has a website that you also may wish to visit:: www.trevorallandavies.org/

Here is a list of my articles published by Clavier Magazine., now called Clavier Companion. Please contact them for information on getting the back issues you want.

When Boredom Sounds the Alarm, Vol. 40 # 3, March 2001
Teaching Students to Play Legato and Staccato Phrases, Vol. 40 # 5, May/June 2001
The Magic of a Clear Melody                       Vol. 40 # 9, November 2001
Breathing Life Into the Score - the Magic of Changing Notes to Music Vol. 41 # 3, March 2002
The Energy of Good Rhythm Adds Sparkle to Piano Pieces, Vol. 42 # 3, March 2003
Take Only Small Steps, Vol. 44 # 4, April 2005
Performance Injuries: Ignoring the Warning Signs Vol. 44 # 7, September 2005
                (with Susan Hlasny)
A Letter to my Students - Doing Well at Competitions Vol. 45 # 3, March 2006
Add Some Humor                                                                                            Vol. 46 #5, May 2007
Culture of Caution                                                                                          Vol.1 #4, July/August 2009