Welcome to Elfenbein Klaviermusik!

The studio.

The studio at Elfenbein Klaviermusik. © 2009 Sibylle Kuder

Elfenbein Klaviermusik offers thorough and carefully guided instruction in piano literature, technique, ear training (audiation), memorization, and theory. The piano curriculum prepares students for festivals, competitions, and the Music Progressions Auditions through the Kansas Music Teachers Association.

Particular attention is given to a natural and injury-free technique and to thorough mastery of all studied materials.

Elfenbein Klaviermusik has been serving the Greater Manhattan Kansas area since 1994, and has a studio located in the Northview area of Manhattan.


The Studio


Fall 2010 Semester

Just a reminder, Fall lessons begin August 18th, and tuition (1/2 the normal monthly rate) is due by August 15, 2010.

How to Get Started

While the monthly tuition is based on the number of lessons in a semester, new students can start at any time. Call or email to set up a first meeting where we can discuss your musical goals, discover a little bit about each other, and decide if this is a good fit for every one. Parents, this initial session gives you and your child a chance to see how they react to me and my teaching style. The first meeting usually lasts twenty to thirty minutes and is free of charge.

All students must have a good instrument at home for practice. The best instrument is a good quality, well maintained grand piano. However, space restrictions and cost often make this less of an option. A good quality studio upright (approximately 44 to 48 inches tall) or a good quality console (approximately 40 to 43 inches tall) would make an excellent instrument. These instruments have strings long enough to produce a rich, full sound. Studio uprights many times have longer strings than "baby" grand pianos and consequently a better sound and playing experience.

It is possible to purchase a good digital piano that has weighted keys; however, money invested in a gently used upright would be better spent. I am happy to accompany any student to area piano stores to help with the selection of an instrument. The Blue Book of Pianos website is an excellent online soure of information about the different styles of pianos for those wanting to do some research.


My Wish for 2010: Peace Through Music - Playing For Change



Words of Inspiration

"Inspiration is when the heart takes the lead. That is what we are practicing for every day: to be free when inspiration visits us because we have mastered the craft." ~ quote by William Grant Nabore


Just a Thought

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires" - William Arthur Ward

… and the best teacher does all of the above. She tells, she explains, she demonstrates, she inspires, and she knows which student needs which at what moment. - Sibylle Kuder


Just Another Thought

During the eighteen months that I was a traveling piano teacher, I discovered an unexpected advantage: I got to see the instrument on which my students practiced (presumably) daily as well as the setup and environment in which they practiced. Occasionally, a parent would apologetically say, "I am sorry, we only have a - " and then proceed to tell me what they "only" had: a digital keyboard, an old piano that needs tuning, etc. - followed by, "I don't know if that is good enough for lessons."

That's a curious thought. It begs the question: how can something that's "not good enough" for teaching be possibly good enough for practicing?

Think about it: when students come to the teacher's studio for their lesson, once a week for 30 to 60 minutes, they get to play and study and try new things and correct old things on the (hopefully good) instrument their teacher has. Then they go home and practice, (presumably) every day for 30 to 60 minutes or longer, on their instrument. That's a ratio of at least 1 to 6. If you are afraid your instrument at home is not good enough for lessons - that makes it one "good" instrument to six or more inferior instruments. How can you possibly expect to make progress like that?

Imagine, pretend, that you are taking lessons to learn how to color with coloring pencils. Your teacher has a nice assortment of nicely sharp pencils. The lesson goes well, you are motivated to practice at home. Only your collection of pencils at home has quite a few colors missing, and some of the rest are broken. Or, you only have crayons to practice with.

If you want to learn how to color with coloring pencils, you need a good assortment of sharp coloring pencils at home. If you want to learn how to play the piano, you need a good piano at home. Simple, isn't it?


Opinionated Musings

Please also visit Elfenbein Klaviermusik Notes for music- and piano-related news, opinion, fact, research, and ideas. Thank you!