Karl Goldstein, PIANO INSTRUCTION in Berkeley for children, advanced adults
I’ve been teaching piano since I was a teenager and have never stopped loving it. My goal is to impart my love of the piano, and music in general, to my students. I strive to give them a sense of accomplishment by teaching them to play not just proficiently, but beautifully. Lessons include sight reading, ear training, technique, theory, history and composition. Since I take my teaching seriously I expect the same from my students; their schedules must allow for sufficient time spent practicing daily. For school-age students this means optimally 30+ minutes for first year learners, 45+ for intermediate and 60+ for advanced students
My class of students is pretty evenly divided between school-age children and adults. The adults range from accomplished amateurs to piano teachers seeking advanced coaching. I do not teach adult beginners.
An essential part of my program for school-age students is a monthly workshop where they gather not only to perform but also to learn more about the music they are playing. Topics include composers’ lives, form, style and how to listen to music. We also discuss how to prepare for performance and cope with nervousness. I offer these popular workshops at no extra charge.
I also offer regular performance workshops for my adult students. These gatherings, which take place every 2-3 months, are an opportunity for adult students to gain more experience playing before an audience. A number of my adult students have also participated in the Adult Performance Program of the Music Teachers' Association of California.
My approach to keyboard technique has been greatly influenced by the work of Dorothy Taubman, whose ergonomic principles make playing feel effortless. I became aware of her work after experiencing wrist pain while playing. The Taubman principles have enabled me to play pain-free as well as helped me to solve innumerable technical challenges, both for myself and my students.