"My idea is that there is music in the air, music all around us; the world is full of it, and you simply take as much as you require." -Edward Elgar
Such a wonderful concept. We are what we are, we are what we aspire to be. We are able to find the things that we "require" when we just stop and take a moment to breathe in the fresh air.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Quote of the Day
"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo
What does music do for you? How are YOU using music to give a voice to the things in your life that need to be expressed so deeply? Something to truly think about.
What does music do for you? How are YOU using music to give a voice to the things in your life that need to be expressed so deeply? Something to truly think about.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Kid-Friendly/Educational Websites
I thought I would use my post today as a resource for the parents of my piano students. In this day in age kids love being on the computer (or maybe even that is becoming outdated with the iPad!) I wanted to share some interactive and educational websites that my be of use to your child who is either wanting more music education in their life, or could use a nudge in certain aspects of their musical education (note reading, theory, etc.)
Disclaimer: The order that I write about these websites have nothing to do with how I would rank them. These are also just my opinions about the sites- it is up to you to make good judgement in how you use them. I hope you and our children are able to take bits and pieces from each site and learn something new. Id' love to hear your thoughts!
This is probably one of the first classical music sites I came across when I first started teaching, and I still enjoy visiting it. Students can learn about classical music, various instruments, listen to different styles of music, play theory and ear-training games and much more. There are also several games that will aide students in becoming better note and rhythm readers. Other games will allow them to learn about the masters in composition and even give them the opportunity to do some composing themselves!
While this website does not appear to be as kid friendly as some of the websites I’ve posted, please remember the old saying to “never judge a book by its cover.” I would say that the website could be more beneficial with parental oversight and guidance. In fact, there are many family listening activities. This site is a great educational resources, and will aide students in learning about various styles of music and where that music came from. The interactive “tours” of the cities where great composers lived and worked is definitely time worth spent. Students will also have the opportunities to learn about some of the music literature, and the stories that lie behind them.
This is an interactive website where students can learn about composers, the instruments of the orchestra, and various other musical concept. I am very fond of the fact that this website goes beyond the typical picture and short clip of the instrument. The emphasis is not only on learning what any given instrument is, but how it sounds in context, how it’s played, how it actually works. I would say the same thing about the composer section of the website. Students are not only learning what the composer looked liked and a short excerpt from their most famous piece. Instead they can choose to learn about composers based on the country they are from, style etc. I particularly enjoy that they have a section on minority composers. This website also includes various musical games.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Studio Classes
This morning I met a piano teacher in the area who is relocating to the other side of the country. We talked about the possibility of me taking on some of her students. Of course, this would be GREAT for me! But even if that doesn't happen, it was so great to converse with an intelligent, kind, and creative teacher. I walked away with new ideas in only 45 minutes, and have started brainstorming others.
Giovanna told me of the studio classes she teaches. Basically, it's a separate class that piano students attend in order to learn musical concepts together: music theory, music history, rhythm, sight-reading, ear-training, etc. I'm thrilled to organize this for my current students, and have started thinking of ways to make this creative and fun.
Here's what I have so far:
Studio Classes
4-5 students around the same age
Creating a velcro rhythm board where students will not only read rhythms, but create them
Creating a large staff for note identification
Exploring percussion instruments
Encouraging improvisation
Expose students to various types of music
Allow students the opportunity to play for each other in a safe environment
Lessons in notation and composition
Worksheets on various musical concepts
Learning and practicing musical vocabulary through musical experiences and exploration
Fun...Fun... FUN!!!!
I will put the idea out there this week to the parents of my students. I am very much looking forward to having a class and giving my students this opportunity. I think they will enjoy doing something a bit different then their one-on-one lesson, and hopefully make some new piano friends in the process. I will keep posted!
Lessons in notation and composition
Worksheets on various musical concepts
Learning and practicing musical vocabulary through musical experiences and exploration
Fun...Fun... FUN!!!!
I will put the idea out there this week to the parents of my students. I am very much looking forward to having a class and giving my students this opportunity. I think they will enjoy doing something a bit different then their one-on-one lesson, and hopefully make some new piano friends in the process. I will keep posted!
Friday, January 13, 2012
breathing... in piano playing?!
Well, it sure has been a while! It seems I have neglected this page, and perhaps even that it got hacked into? In any case... here goes :)
The past few weeks I've been noticing habits that I have not taught my students, but believe they have picked up from me by modeling or me unconsciously doing. One of those things is breathing.
When I discovered the importance of breathing in piano playing I became a much better player. For years I never understood why my teachers were telling me to breath with the music - I simply did NOT get it. There was even a long period of time where I found I was actually holding my breath. You can imagine what this did to my playing, and what it did to me physically, especially when playing more demanding pieces. When I finally came to understand it, many aspects of my playing became better: rhythm, the melodic line, the flow, musicality. It was truly an "aha" moment. It still is somewhat of an abstract concept, for me at least, but I do believe in it's importance.
Now, I've never actually taught my students to breathe with the music. Maybe it's because they are younger (mostly 6-9,) maybe because I subconsciously doubt their ability to truly understand it, or maybe I've just neglected it. However, I've been noticing my students using their breath to keep track of where they are, breathing at the end of phrases, waiting until they truly finish a piece to take a breath. Part of me is wondering whether I'm making a bigger deal out of this then I should, but it truly amazes me. When a 7 year old sits still at the end of her piece, slowly puts her hands down on her lap, and then takes a breath to "finish" the piece... I am amazed.
I think by modeling good playing, and good piano "etiquette" if you will, my students are picking up habits that will make them successful players. They may not be the next Mozart or Beethoven, but they are capable of being great players, even when playing simple songs. They are capable of breathing with the music, and living with the music, as long as we as teachers let them explore it on their own terms. It will come to them, and it has come to mine.
The past few weeks I've been noticing habits that I have not taught my students, but believe they have picked up from me by modeling or me unconsciously doing. One of those things is breathing.
When I discovered the importance of breathing in piano playing I became a much better player. For years I never understood why my teachers were telling me to breath with the music - I simply did NOT get it. There was even a long period of time where I found I was actually holding my breath. You can imagine what this did to my playing, and what it did to me physically, especially when playing more demanding pieces. When I finally came to understand it, many aspects of my playing became better: rhythm, the melodic line, the flow, musicality. It was truly an "aha" moment. It still is somewhat of an abstract concept, for me at least, but I do believe in it's importance.
Now, I've never actually taught my students to breathe with the music. Maybe it's because they are younger (mostly 6-9,) maybe because I subconsciously doubt their ability to truly understand it, or maybe I've just neglected it. However, I've been noticing my students using their breath to keep track of where they are, breathing at the end of phrases, waiting until they truly finish a piece to take a breath. Part of me is wondering whether I'm making a bigger deal out of this then I should, but it truly amazes me. When a 7 year old sits still at the end of her piece, slowly puts her hands down on her lap, and then takes a breath to "finish" the piece... I am amazed.
I think by modeling good playing, and good piano "etiquette" if you will, my students are picking up habits that will make them successful players. They may not be the next Mozart or Beethoven, but they are capable of being great players, even when playing simple songs. They are capable of breathing with the music, and living with the music, as long as we as teachers let them explore it on their own terms. It will come to them, and it has come to mine.
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