Clearly Piano Teaching

"Teacher's First Day of Summer"

2012-05-14T08:23:00.000-05:00

Teacher's First Day of Summer

Today begins my summer

They say I should relax

But the empty chairs in my class room

Only make me wish Fall back

So don't give me polish and pedi's

I'm not craving a forest or beach

Just give me an eager learner

To fill my empty seat

May Music Deals

2012-05-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

As a teacher, what with lessons, recitals, competitions, and group classes, you have plenty on your plate. You know that to save money on sheet music you need to shop the deals. But who has time to keep up with everything? Clearly Piano Teaching is here to help!

May 2012 Music Deals

Hutchins & Rea: Free shipping on orders over $100
20% off Vienna Urtext Editions
20% off Universal Editions
20% off Boosey and Hawkes
40% off Scores

Sheetmusicplus.com: (3.99 Shipping + percent back to educators)
20% off Play-Alongs
20% off Schirmer
20% off Music Ensembles
Discounts on Hope Publishing

Musicforte.com : Free Shipping on orders over $35
10% off Everything through May 10th

Amazon.com :
Up to 50% off Musical Instruments

Barnes and Noble : Free Shipping on orders of $25 or more.
National Teacher's Day Sale - 45% Off

MusicRoom: Free shipping on orders over 10 pounds
Educators save 10% off all orders
Huge 3 for 2 Sale

Eble Music Store:
"During the month of May, in each order over $150 where back-orders are allowed, we will include a set of Etymotic High Fidelity Ear Plugs absolutely free. A $13.95 value, these ear plugs protect you from overexposure to loud sounds without distorting the clarity of speech or music, and they come with a convenient carrying case. (Please remember to select YES to back-orders.)"

Shar Music: Free Shipping on orders over $20.
Get a SHAR Gift Certificate valued from $25 to $500 when you purchase select instruments or bows by June 30, 2012. There are over 70 models of instruments and bows to choose from.
10% off All Sheet Music Titles. Ends June 30th.

Do you know of discount I haven't listed here? Please share it with us!

Photo Courtesy of Chi King

Pain Free with the Keyboard Wellness Seminar

2012-05-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Have you heard? You don't have to hurt anymore when you play the piano.

Can you imagine a pianistic career where your back doesn't ache, your wrist is pain free and you play better than you've ever played in your life?

It's all a pipe dream, right? It wasn't for me.

3 years ago, when I first learned about the Dorothy Taubman technique, I was in serious pain. Everyday practice meant intense aches which would radiate through my upper back and right arm. The Taubman technique changed all of that for me.

The Taubman technique teaches you to play by using the natural movements of the body working with gravity. It truly makes playing piano effortless.

Every summer Shelia Paige, a student of Dorothy Taubman herself, teaches the Keyboard Wellness Seminar at the University of North Texas. I attended the seminar for the first time last year and it completely changed the way I teach and play piano. I have been so impressed by the improvement in my students' playing from the little I've been able to share with them from the seminar.

At the Keyboard Wellness Seminar, Shelia teaches on playing octaves, staccatos, teaching technique to Intermediate level students, the mechanics of the arm, training the brain, trill technique, arm weight, and SO much more.

I can not recommend this seminar enough. You owe it to yourself to at least check out the website and what other people are saying about it.

The Keyboard Wellness Seminar 2012

Testimonials

Shall I see you there?

Teaching by Observation

2012-05-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

Walter Hautzig

When I was younger I had the opportunity of hearing concert pianist Walter Hautzig giving one of his famous Masterclasses. At one point in the class he turned to the audience and jokingly commented on one of his previous classes that he'd given in Japan.

"When I was in Japan, I didn't speak the language. Anytime I needed to explain something to a student I'd just push them off [the bench] and play it for them." (paraphrased)

At the time I laughed and thought nothing of it.

But lately, I've been trying what he said. And it's been working.

Instead of explaining...for the millionth time.. to Johnny that he needs to play the measure with a forte at the end, I don't say a word about his forte. I push over his hands and say, "Now listen, and see if you can recreate this sound." I play it for him and let his ear tell him where the forte belongs.

I'm surprised at how easily my kids are grasping dynamics, rhythms, phrasing, and all the other difficult problems in music simply by listening to me play them correctly for them.

Soon I'm going to try using the same technique with Horowitz, Rubinstein, and the other greats with my older kids.

I guess sometimes the old ways really are the best.

April Post Round-up

2012-04-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

If you're in anywhere close to the same boat I am, then April is not just about flowers, showers and pollen. April is always packed with competitions, recital prep, and remembering to eat at some point in the day. Here to inspire you during your busiest season is a collection of my favorite blog posts from April 2012.

Adding A Lab to Your Lessons - Why?
Blog: Wendy's Piano Studio
Wendy's guest poster definitely wins the award for boggling my mind this month. Although I have always considered myself technologically inclined, the idea of bringing the computer into the piano studio has had me shaking my head. But after reading this well thought out series, I am starting to rethink my ways.

Upside-Down Compositions
Blog: The Teaching Studio
What a creative idea! In this post Jenny helps her student practice note reading my turning their music, literally, on its head!

How to Teach Piano to Anthony Ants-in-His-Pants
Blog: TeachPianoToday
Andrea's advice here is golden. My very first two students were, in fact, hand-offs from another teacher not willing to put up with a couple more Anthonys. I'll never forget when they tried to play piano with their tongues and toes.

A Playlist for a Beatiful Thursday
Blog: NolaPianoTeacher
Ever heard of Gypsy Jazz Musicians? I hadn't either. Nola does a wonderful job of opening up for us this beautiful and exciting music style and tradition.

Go to Spots or My Performance Disaster

Blog: Clearly Piano Teaching

Well, I am delighted that my big blunder has inspired you. If you missed out reading this month's hit post then you will definitely want to check it out!

Have I left out your favorite blog post? Please share it with us!

Question: My Son Hates Piano

2012-04-28T00:31:00.000-05:00

Question: My son loves making music but hates his practice time. He's talented and can play anything he hears. But he can't stand practicing. Help!

Answer: Having been both the student and now the piano teacher, I really understand and see this "dislike of piano practice" alot.

There are several different reasons kids dislike their lessons/practice.

1. They don't like the music. Sometimes teachers will assign music that your child genuinely doesn't enjoy playing. If this is the cause then the remedy is to talk to the teacher and ask for more repertoire that your son likes. She probably won't give up the disliked repertoire entirely - there is a reason she assigned it. But any good teacher will incorporate your request into her selections.

2. Watching the clock. Some students need a set time allotment for practice. Others, like me, find themselves watching the clock and wishing it would go faster. There are two solutions that I've found to this. The first is to use a timer instead of a clock and break it up into smaller parts. If you need to practice 20 minutes, set the timer for 5 minutes and only practice each item on your assignment list that long and then switch. That strategy is better for older students. The second solution is to not have a clock at all. Instead, before sitting down, decide one goal that you want to accomplish this time. Once you've done it you're done! You can walk away. I've found that once students have the rush of success they don't want to walk away and will end up continuing to practice.

3. Feeling like they can't measure up. This one is harder to deal with. Children desperately want to please their parents and teachers, but sometimes what we expect is too much for them to cope with at that moment - even if you know they can do it. It is important to remind your child that no matter how they play you will love them and you are proud of them. Sometimes removing the pressure is all that is needed to return the fun.

4. Lastly, they don't "feel the music." While this doesn't seem to be an issue for your son, it is for many children. Music is a lot like language. Reading a string of words on a page will mean nothing to you if you don't understand what the words mean. Music is a bunch of black blobs on a page until the student can feel the music and relate to it. Feeling the music is a skill students develop over their entire lifetime and is, in my opinion, the hardest thing to teach. Some things that can help are listening to music, singing, dancing, watching movies with great music, learning the composers' stories and why they wrote the music they wrote...the list can go on and on.

5. Needing to go faster. Knowing how talented your son is, this is probably what is happening. Talented students have a unique problem – they move too quickly for their teachers. If this is the case I wouldn’t blame your teacher. Balancing speed with thoroughness is a challenge for most teachers, myself included. If you think this is the case, gently mention to your teacher that your son doesn’t seem to be challenged enough by his music and you wonder if he could try playing a few more difficult pieces.

6. Using the wrong curriculum. Some kids do really well on programs like Simply Music and other “learn to play music and then read the sheet music” approaches. But the transition from playing to reading is very bumpy in these teaching programs and is where most kids drop out. If you are using one of these programs and are having this recurring challenge, you might consider trying a more traditional teacher. If you just want to put your toe in the water, you might take just a few lessons with a traditional teacher in late summer, when you wouldn’t normally be taking lessons with your current teacher anyhow.

As a teacher, I really appreciate when parents confide in me. Go ahead and mention to your teacher what you are seeing at home. She may have a few more individualized ideas. Your teacher is on your side.

While I'm sure there are many other things that can contribute to piano practice problems, these are the most common. I hope this helps. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Christina

clearlypiano.blogspot.com

Twitter @clearlypiano

Breaking for Guild Week

2012-04-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody! Bet you've been wondering where on earth I've been these last few days. Well it is Guild week here in my studio and all the last minute details are demanding their time on my schedule and pressing out all the fun stuff (like blogging.)

So I guess I have to call an audible for this week. But not to worry! Guild ends next Thursday and I'll be back with a new post on Friday, just like usual.

Until then, here is a sneak peek at some of the upcoming posts:

Social Networks for Music Teachers: How to make them work for you!

Review: Faber Piano Literature Book 1

Illegal Applause?

Are You More Happy?

Posture? I Barely Know Her!

What Your Students Hate About You

See you on Friday!
Christina

Got Wacky Week?

2012-04-13T18:58:00.000-05:00

In honor of it being Friday the 13th, let's talk about how to be a weird piano teacher.

The last few weeks of lessons have always been a problem for me. It isn't just the kids wanting to go outside and play, it's me too! But I can't let my guard down and go with it since this is also the most crucial part of the school year for us.

A few years ago I felt the whole studio sinking into this blue funk and I knew I had to do something to get us back in gear. Thus was born "Wacky Week."

During Wacky Week all the student's preconceived ideas are turned on their head. I usually wear flowers in my hair or something else unexpected like a costume. We will do lots of games and play all our pieces "wacky" - in other words with tongues out, feet stomping, eyes shut, head bobbing, singing outloud. Sometimes we will do unusual activities, like jumping rope to Beethoven.

My kids loved it and I can't recommend it enough.

So do you have a Wacky Week tradition too?

Photo Courtesy of dominiqueb

Happy Death Day, Albert Pieczonka!

2012-04-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

April 12th marks the 100th anniversary of Albert Pieczonka's death. Okay, I know what you're thinking, "Who on earth is Albert Pieczonka?" No? Really? You already knew that Pieczonka is the composer responsible for Tarantella in a minor, one of the most popular teaching pieces of all time? Wow, you are good.

Well, for those of you who, like me, didn't know anything about this often under admired composer here is a brief introduction.

Biography

Albert Pieczonka (pronounced pyeh-CHUN-keh) was born in Prussia in 1828. Albert studied in Leipzig and proportedly also studied for a time under Liszt - which would explain alot about his Tarantellas. In 1855 Albert married his sweetheart Nanny. They had, over the next few years, eight children, 7 girls and 1 boy. The Pieczonkas lived for a time in the late 50's in London and then in the 1880's, along with much of Europe, they immigrated to New York. After arriving in New York Albert formed his female brood into the Kempa Ladies' Orchestra. KLO toured over the next half decade and made quite an impression with their broad range of performance styles. Albert also continued to perform solo piano music and to compose. His L’Ame Perdue (The Lost Soul,) was written shortly after the loss of his youngest daughter, and is very moving. Pieczonka passed from this world at the age of 84 years. (Source: http://www.classical-composers.org/comp/pieczonka)
For a more complete biography check out this article from Clavier Companion.

Tarantella in a minor

Like the works by his teacher Liszt, Pieczonka's Tarantella in a minor shows a great deal of athleticism. As you already know, the native dance called the Tarantella stems from the ancient belief that a victim bit by a Tarantula could "shake out" the venom if he spun fast enough. The wonderful image of a desperate man spinning for his life is a great one to help students understand the mood of the piece.

Tarantella in a minor has an strangely incongruous middle section which is often described as the hardest part of the piece. After the mad frenzy of the pouncing opening we are left to wonder in the middle with a melodic line. It's as though our desperate imaginary character has gone into a delirious reflection.

I remember when I first played this piece the part I struggled with the most was the end. I could never get my fingers to move fast enough to produce the appropriate accelerando for the final death scene (or fainting scene, whatever you want to call it.) This is definitely one of those places where the old saying really applies, "Only play as fast as the hardest spots will let you."

My Favorite Version

look inside

Applause! - Book Two (Impressive Piano Solos for the Budding Virtuoso). For solo piano. Graded Standard Repertoire; Masterworks; Piano Collection. Baroque, Classical Period and 20th Century. SMP Level 8 (Early Advanced). Collection. Introductory text, standard notation and fingerings (does not include words to the songs). 79 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing (AP.2538)
(3) ...more info

History Alive: King's Singers' "Masterpiece"

2012-04-09T17:08:00.000-05:00

Have you been looking for a new way to explain music history to your intermediate students? Me too!

Aptly titled, "Masterpiece," this piece performed by the King's Singers is an a capella work designed to showcase the styles of most of the major composers. The lyrics are filled with the composers' names and a few of the distinguishing dynamic, articulation preferences specific to each composer.

We had so much fun this week trying to figure out what they were saying and watching the King's Singers' humor. Enjoy!

Know of another way to make Music History fun to learn? Please share it with us!

Absolutely amazing, wasn't it? If you are feeling adventurous you can find the sheet music for this performance here:

look inside

Masterpiece (Collection) By The King's Singers. By Paul Drayton. SATB. King's Singer's Choral. 44 pages. Hal Leonard #HMB165. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.8740325)
(2) ...more info

Go to Spots or My Performance Disaster

2012-04-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

My High School Senior Recital was perhaps one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. I had been playing piano for about 13 years at that point and had participated in MANY recitals. But never before had the spotlight reflected off my sweating brow alone.

My piano teacher was very good at what she did. She'd had me playing and performing my repertoire selection off and on for over 3 years in preparation for the big day. (Mind you it was interspersed with ALOT of other material as well, so I didn't run screaming from boredom.) And then when I had only a month left to go, she got me coaching lessons with one of the best college professors in the area.

I learned alot from those coaching lessons - such as how badly I needed them. I wasn't playing easy repertoire (think 3rd movement of Moonlight Sonata) and I had problems with choking or just plain blanking in the middle.

The professor listened to me play for a while and then told me the simplest and yet probably the best advice I have ever received. She said "When you practice this at home, learn the ending the best. And then have a few places in the middle of the piece you can go to in case you get lost."

Thankfully, I took her advice. The piece she was specifically referring to was my Bach Fugue. I memorized and practiced the last two lines with determination and then located different section openings in the middle of the piece and practiced them faithfully. One of the tricks I used to do this was to randomly start from memory at one of the places, instead of the beginning.

So my big day came and it was beautiful. I was to perform at a lovely local church with stained glass windows and old fashioned pews. Practically everyone I knew was there, some even flying in from other states. I couldn't believe this day had finally arrived.

Everything around me blurred as I walked towards the piano and sat down. My world seemed to shrink to the size of the keys and my bench. I played a Bach Prelude. Flawless. The tension in my shoulders dropped and I placed my fingers in preparation for my Bach Fugue. I ran over in my mind quickly my checklist of "go to places." Before I knew what happened my fingers had taken off and I was playing the opening. But then the honeymoon was over and I totally blanked.

I skipped to my first go to place. Played, and then blanked. Jumped to my second. Blanked. Third. Blanked. Finally I jumped to my last place - the last two lines - and I remembered the whole thing. I completed the piece with a flair, got off the bench and bowed. The rest of the recital came off without any major hitches.

I like to tell this story to my students every year. I call it my performance disaster. But really it wasn't a disaster, I did make it through the whole piece and from what I've heard from the people in the audience, they couldn't really tell that anything was wrong. And that it completely thanks to my coach's sage advice, "Have places you can go to. Know the end the best."

What is the best advice you have received to help your playing? Please share it with us!

April Music Deals

2012-04-04T12:56:00.000-05:00

Death By Conducting?

2012-04-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Public Domain Image of Jean-Baptiste Lully

from Wikimedia Commons

Apparently conducting can be a very lethal activity. During the 17th century conductors used large heavy sticks to pound out the time for the other musicians. Once, while conducting with just such an obnoxious stick, Jean-Baptiste Lully slammed the stick into his foot instead of the floor. The wound caused by his mistake later became gangrenous and caused him to die. Yes, it was death by conducting.

A woman walks into her doctor's office in the 17th century.
"Doctor, I keep hearing this pounding sound in my head. It happens at all hours of the day or night!"
"Don't worry madam, that's just the conductor practicing next door."

March Post Round-up

2012-03-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

This March has been full of surprises. Whether you have watched election polls swish between candidates, weather run amok, or you have been, no doubt, baffled by how active the dreariest month of the year has turned out to be. And the music teaching world has been no exception. Here is a list a collection of my favorite blog posts from March 2012.

Marketing to Homeschoolers
Blog: Wendy's Piano Studio
Wendy shares a wonderful collection of tips and tricks for marketing to the homeschool community. I was a homeschooled student myself, so I can really relate to alot of the things she says. The only addition I would make is that alot of homeschoolers use online groups, such as Yahoo!, to communicate and advertise so I highly recommend joining some of your local online groups.

Development of Piano Technique all bundled into one collection
Blog: Arioso7's Blog
Arioso7 takes a look at the beauty and practicality of teaching from Burgmuller's Twenty-Five Progressive Pieces. I am a huge fan of teaching Burgmuller, particularly at the early intermediate levels. I love how Arioso has broken down the technical aspects of each piece for us.

Tips on Memorizing Piano Music
Blog: Nola Piano Teacher
Although she is just starting out, I am already in love with Nola's Blog. Her tips and tricks are spot on and very practical. This post on memorizing tricks is chock full of helpful advice, some of which I have been using for years and some I am now going to start using ASAP.

Note Drop, Write, and Play- A Game from Cecilly
Blog: Susan Paradis' Piano Teaching Resources
If you have been following this blog at all then you already know that I am a huge fan of Susan Paradis' blog. This game for identifying notes on the staff is definitely this month's favorite. I love creative new ways to reinforce note reading!

Funny: Sight Reading

Blog: Clearly Piano Teaching

You didn't think I'd leave us out, did you? Well, your viewing has chosen and the most popular post from this month has been our comedic take on sight reading. Don't forget to check it out? So what would you like to see in our upcoming posts?

Have I left out your favorite blog post? Please share it with us!

Yo enseño piano. Do you?

2012-03-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, there is this question that has been rolling around in my mind for the past few weeks: Is knowing a second language important when teaching piano?

In the area I work there are huge Hispanic, Arabic, and Japanese populations. Will my knowing Spanish, Arabic, or Japanese make me a more approachable teacher to these families? What have you found?

This point really became obvious to me at a recent music competition. I was a hall monitor and this sweet Japanese mother came up to me with her daughter. I could tell that the mother was very nervous and unsteady when communicating to me in English. My heart went out to her and I so desperately wanted to speak her in a language familiar to her. But I couldn't. I don't speak even one word of Japanese.

Have you ever had a similar experience? What do you think? Is knowing another language important for a piano teacher?

Photos Courtesy of : YGX and christopherallisonphotography.com

Saving Money on Sheet Music

2012-03-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Let's face it, you don't teach music because of the money. Teaching music in a private studio is considered one of the lowest paying jobs in the US. So I know you don't do it for the cushy million dollar retirement package. You do it because you love the light in your student's eyes as they realize for the first, or millionth, time what beautiful music they can create. But money ain't bad.

As a teacher I know you have faced that moment. You are standing in the music store or staring at the computer screen and you know Little Johnny would love to play Billy Bob's Draggin' Dragon Boogie, but it is just so expensive to buy all the music you want to teach. So to help out here are my suggestions for making your sheet music budget go further.

How to Save Money on Sheet Music 101

1. Make a list of all the music you intend to use for at least the next year.
I know this sounds ominous. But take courage, you can do it. Think about what lesson books you always use with brand new students. Add those to the list in triplicate. What are the next method books for your current students? Add those to the list. Especially if you intend to grow your studio soon, think about which repertoire books you most frequently use. They go on the list. Are there any competition, or performance specific books you will need? Toss them onto the list. Finally add Billy Bob's Draggin' Dragon Boogie, or anything else you think you will need for fun summer music, duets, or have had your eye on for some time.

2. Take special note of which publishers print the books on your list.

3. Now watch and wait.
This is the hardest part. We are going to wait for the sales. Publishers will often give out large discounts on certain months. By waiting and then buying in bulk you can save alot of money on shipping and take advantage of discounts.

Places to Watch:
Hutchins and Rea: H&R always have at least one publisher deeply discounted per month. Free Shipping on orders over $100.00

Sheetmusicplus.com : In addition to having occasional blowout sales, Smplus.com has buy 2 get 8 percent off all sheet music. Shipping is budget rate: $3.99.

Your Local Store: Don't forget your local store! They sometimes will surprise you by running specials in addition to normal teacher discounts.

4. Stop before you Submit Order.
Sometimes online stores, like Sheetmusicplus.com, will also allow coupon codes. My favorite place for coupons is Retailmenot.com. They have codes for everywhere.

Happy Shopping!

So what do you do to save money in your studio?
Photos Courtesy of: Ayla87 and 7rains

Blank Sheet Music: a Conundrum

2012-03-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Since I am a teacher, a composer, and a music theory major I fill way more than my fair share of blank sheet music on any given day. I have tried all different kinds of products with mixed results.

1. BlankSheetMusic.net and other websites
I love this site, specifically for students, because you can print out one page and be done, instead of buying a ream. But it can be cumbersome to print out as much paper as you would need if you were, say, writing an symphony. And it can get pricey depending on how efficient your printer ink cartridge is.

Photo Courtesy of ba1969

2. Bound Blank Sheet Music Books
Okay, if I were Bach, who was known for his neat writing style, then I would love bound blank sheet music because it looks so pretty on the shelf and is compact. But I am not Bach and I find that I end up tearing out pages and pages and making the book a very odd thickness. But then again, it is probably just me, since I can be rather a perfectionist.

3. Software, like Finale!
Nothing beats computers for being both efficient and inefficient at the exact same time. While I love how tidy everything looks on the page when I write it on my computer, it takes me so much longer. Now you might say it's just that I don't know my software well enough. Well, I tell you that is not my challenge. It is that on the computer I have so many wonderful tools/toys to play with and I get distracted. It's not that I'm easily distractable, wait, was that a squirrel?

4. Loose Manuscript Paper
This is what I find myself using the most. I like that I can write a page and then keep it or throw it out without destroying the appearance of the entire work. Plus I can stick it in the fax machine for quick assignment submission. And the only thing that regularly distracts me is myself singing along. All that said, I have a tendency to lose my pages if I'm not careful. My solution has been to shove them under a book, but I'm guessing a three ring binder would probably be a better plan.

So what do you use for blank sheet music?

A Funny Thing Happened...

2012-03-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Pink Panther Duet

My dear friend, please bare with me today. I have a bad case of nostalgia. It's been coming on for sometime. I'm afraid it may be catching.

Favorite Memories:
- The first time I figured out I could look out of the corner of my eye, say "No playing with your feet or licking the piano keys," and keep right on filling in their assignment book.

- The little Miss Priss who plays in pink cowgirl boots and hat.

- When I performed Moonlight Sonata at a concert and the girl who vowed she'd always hate the piece announced to me it was her favorite. Compliment or not?

- The 3 year old who took his first few lessons from me from the safe distance of his mother's lap.

- Audibly hearing friends pray behind me during my performance of a Bach Fugue.

- The look on my 7th grader's face after he played Burgmuller's Ballade in c minor with the dynamics in place. It was priceless amazement.

- The 5th grader who announced only 2 months before the big day that he didn't want to perform 10 pieces at his Guild Audition. He wanted to perform 15 instead.

- The Christmas Recital where one student asked to played an extra piece to "make up" for how he did on his scheduled piece - and then wowed the audience with Linus and Lucy.

- The look on my student's face the first time he won his grade level.

- Watching two siblings perform their version of the Pink Panther, complete with pink face paint and tail.

- Sitting on the bench playing duets with my high school senior when she suddenly stops playing. Her explanation? "This note surprised me, that passage was hard, my left hand got lost, and my nose itches."

Please don't let me reminisce alone. What are some of your favorite teaching or performing memories?

Game for Learning Ledger Lines

2012-03-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

So this week I have been experimenting with a new game from my favorite blog: Susan Paradis Piano Teaching Resources. The game is called "Steal a Heart Note Reading Game for Ledger Lines." I have been delighted with my findings thus far.

The idea for the game is for players to fill up their game board with "hearts" by identifying the note on the heart they draw from the pile. Mixed in are also "Steal a Heart" cards which allow you to steal from someone else's board; "Give My Heart" cards which make you giveaway one of your cards; and "Be Mine" cards which can sit on top of any heart on your board and protect it from being stolen. The Steal and Give cards were the students' favorite part so I printed an extra set for the pile.

Now, I don't know about you, but finding a game or activity which teaches accuracy in note reading is always a prized jewel in my opinion. I could have been more thrilled than when my 10 year old and 8 year old began naming notes faster than me!

Note: It is essential that you tell the student the "FACE" and "All Cows Eat Grass" tricks, especially if you, like me, are letting the whole family - even the baby beginner - play together. You'll be surprised but, if given the tricks, your baby beginner will be naming notes she's not supposed to "learn" for years yet. Oh, and be sure to leave plenty of time to play because some of the notes are tricky and it takes the kids awhile to figure them out.

So do you have a favorite note reading game you use with your students?

Mister Bass Clef

2012-03-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

Faber Primer and Level 1 books are both the joys and bane of my teaching career. Some kids just love them and thrive, others sizzle and burn. I'm not exactly sure what it is about students' learning styles that determines whether they succeed at learning notes the Faber way. But there is obviously something making a difference for them.

Don't get me wrong, I really like the Faber Method. I enjoy how the songs have the feel of original compositions - unlike Bastien which can feel like a book of exercises. But I really dislike how difficult the "Guide Notes" technique to staff reading seems to be for kids and adults to remember. I've tried all kinds of different "tricks" to help students remember where Guide Notes are located on the staff, but with little success. Repetition helps, but even then they just end up forgetting in the long run.

Joyce Lundeen

So when I recently discovered the new supplements to the Faber method created by Joyce Lundeen, I immediately jumped on the opportunity to try them out. Joyce has done the work of reinforcing note teaching with Piano Adventures and the Alfred series for us. Keeping things fun, her new series is titled "Mister Bass Clef," and includes fun pictures and lists "goal times" to encourage competitiveness.

I'm very excited about the potential for Mister Bass Clef Supplements and hope that they will turn out to be everything they advertise. I will keep you posted with my thoughts as I try it out. Stay tuned!

Have any of you tried Mister Bass Clef already? Do you have any tricks or supplements that you like to use for kids struggling with guide notes?

Competition Preparation Checklist

2012-03-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, so if you are like me, when you're getting your students ready for a competition half of your effort is spent trying to remember all the things you are supposed to tell them before they get there. Now I'm not talking about anything that has to do with the way they play. I mean the sheer effort of getting your students there and in order.

Thus I have taken it upon myself to alleviate your headaches by creating a no-fail Pre-Competition Checklist. Please let me know if I left off anything important.

Pre-Competition Checklist:

(The following is in no specific order)

1. Finish filling out any forms and submitting your checks

2. Clean student's music
-Erase all markings except for your changes (added rit., cresc., etc.)

3. Write measure numbers on their music

4. Optional: Put Sticky Notes on each piece for easier location in the rush of the day.

5. Tell the Parent/Student
-What time to be there
-Where to go
-Where to park
-How to dress
-What books they should bring
-What, if any, necessary forms, payment, or test sheets to bring with them
-Recommend arriving early

6. (If the student will be playing in front of other students) Remind them how to take a bow.

7. (If there is a written exam section) Remind them to bring 2-3 well sharpened pencils

8. Make sure you have received compensation for competition fees

9. Send a reminder email with everything in #4 and your contact info in case of emergency

10. If your students do not already have the actual book for their music make sure to bring it with you or send it with them.

11. Optional, but recommended: Explain to students and their parents exactly what to expect on the big day and remind them that the judge is not a goblin.

Ta-da! Happy dance! You made it!!

Did I miss anything? What else do you do before their big day?

Photo Courtesy of CanonSnapper

Funny: Sight Reading

2012-03-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

I can really relate. How about you?

The Garrick Ohlsson Ending

2012-03-09T06:00:00.001-06:00

I was sitting in Ravinia with my Mom and Dad. The place was packed and the grounds outside were loaded with people with picnics waiting to hear the concert over the loudspeakers. I had never been to Ravinia before and everything from the rows of seats to the lonely piano on stage left me breathless with expectation.

There was another reason I was excited too. He was going to play my piece. MY piece. It would take three years of practice and dedication but I had just been told that my Senior Recital sonata would be none other than Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata - the complete version. Oh yeah.

And how perfect it all seemed. The very week we were in Chicago Garrick Ohlsson was to continue his astounding summer long series of the complete Beethoven Sonatas by performing Moonlight Sonata. He also played two other sonatas, whichever they were.

I imagine he played very well. But honestly, I don't remember. What I remember was the encore - and it will always stay with me.

The audience had thoroughly enjoyed Ohlsson's performance and gave him several standing ovations. After which, he sat back down at the piano and began to play this simple, delicate melody - Claire de Lune. We were all spellbound. It was like he had magnetized us to his every movement.

We watched, mouths a gape, until the very end. And then he played slowly, ever so slowly, the last few notes, and then he held. And held. He didn't move from his place even one muscle. The sound of his music passed over us like a veil and then quivered and then died, slowly, ever so slowly. And still he didn't move until the silence itself had become his music. And then all at once he released and the audience went wild. From that moment we loved Garrick Ohlsson.

Garrick Ohlsson Courtesy of Mariversa

Later that school year I had the privilege of performing a rather unknown work by Khatchuturian at an Honors Recital. The piece had an ending not unlike to Claire de Lune. Since it was an Honors Recital, everyone had come to perform all guns blazing. All the pieces before me were fast, flashly and difficult. But then I sat down and played my very simple piece the Garrick Ohlsson way. They all agreed my performance stole the show.

What trick do you like to use when ending a piece? Has another pianist's performance ever changed the way you think about performance?

look inside

Clair de lune (from Suite Bergamasque) By Claude Debussy (1862-1918). Edited by Willard A. Palmer. SMP Level 9 (Advanced). Book. 8 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing (AP.2160)
(3) ...more info

What's a Girl To Do? Musical Careers for Women in the 1700's

2012-03-07T07:00:00.000-06:00

The options for girls wishing to have a musical career during the 1700's and before were very limited. Some made a go of performing publicly at court and the homes of the rich or noble, like Mozart's sister, but they were few and far between. More often women, even those of the highest talent, were rejected in favor of their male counterparts.

This left the majority with two options. The first was, obviously, to teach their own children music at home. Although this is a worthy occupation, it did nothing for their own musical dreams.

Their second option may surprise you. Many women chose to join convents as a means to pursue their musical careers. Convents were unique in that they offered women opportunities to perform regularly and even compose and produce their own works.

Within the convent was a strict hierarchy through which women could progress until they became the official Chormeisterin, the head over all music in the convent. Convents came to be known as places of excellent musical prowess by citizens and the number of musically talents young ladies joining was surprisingly high.

For more information on the musical nuns of the 18th century take a look at the works of Dr. Janet Page, especially her articles in the Oxford journal.

What would you have done if you'd lived in the 1700's? Would you have become a nun?

Photos Courtesy of homyox and Sunfrog1

It's All in the Family

2012-03-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

It was the last lesson of the school year, I had just come down with pneumonia, and I felt like crude. There is nothing more distasteful than when the only thing you can put your mind firmly on is the clock ticking away the minutes til you can sit on the couch again. Ughh.

My student walked in bright eyed and eager with her mother following behind her. One look at the mother and I knew something was wrong. It didn't take long before she began to explain. Her very dear uncle was in the hospital and was not expected to make it. I gave my condolences and pats and we went on with the lesson as usual.

But if there is one thing I have learned from teaching piano, it is that when you take a student you are not just taking a student, you are taking a family. If you want to have a successful relationship with your student, you need to have a relationship with the family and sometimes that means doing more than the usual piano teacher stuff.

In the case of my student and her mother, it meant that the next day I went out and bought some dinners to send to them. For another family, it meant that I wrote an encouraging note to thank the parents for telling how well their student was practicing. For all of the students, I write thank you notes for the gifts they give me at Christmas. And when we play games in the lessons I will often have the parents play with us.

More Ideas:
1. Give small birthday gifts
2. Give end of year letters
3. Take students and their families out to special events like a symphony performance or musical
4. Send out periodic newsletters to all the parents with updates on what everyone is doing

But above all the other things you can do to support your students and their parents the best is to simply listen and be their friend. Ask them about their week and listen sincerely. Ask your parents to tell you what they are seeing at home. "Is there a piece Johnny is playing more than the others?" "Do you notice him struggling with something?" "What is Johnny really interested in in school right now?" (Sometimes I will use his interests to illustrate a point in a lesson, ie. fly into the notes like Superman, hop on the keys like a puppy.)

But I have to tell you the end of the story of my student and her mother. So, as you know, I went out and bought them a nice dinner, complete with chocolate pie and side casserole. At the same time, I picked up some breakfast casseroles for a party I was going to hold later that week. Being that I had pneumonia, I was unable to deliver the meal myself and instead sent the whole thing off with my dad to deliver. Imagine my surprise a few days later to find a chocolate pie, casserole, and dinner in my freezer. Thankfully the students' family likes breakfast casserole.

How do you make your students' families feel a part of your studio?

Photo Courtesy of: rachel_pics' photostream