Learn from My Mistake: The Avoidable Teaching Misstep That Leads to “WOW” Piano Playing

I used to think every phrase should crescendo to the high note. That’s where the energy is, right?

But something always sounded… off.

It wasn’t until I attended a fantastic conference session with Peter Mack that I finally had my “aha” moment. He talked about the emotional arc of a phrase—and suddenly, everything clicked.

The High Note Isn’t Always the Climax

Sometimes, the high note lands on a weak beat.
It might be a passing tone or even part of a gentle descent meant to release tension, not build it.

That changed the way I listened—and the way I taught.

Now, I invite my students to listen first and analyze second. We don’t just follow the contour of a melody. We ask:

• Where does the phrase want to go?

• What kind of character does it have?

• Where’s the real destination?

It’s not just technical. It’s emotional. It’s artistic. And it’s where the magic happens.