Learning a Bach Invention is challenging, especially for the first time. The beginning steps I ask students to take are these:
The second step is the hardest one for students to practice but I feel it is the most important. Here is a video clip of a student practicing this at her lesson. Download Bach invention, themes only
I enjoy having students work together whenever possible. In this instance, two of these boys are brothers who come together for lessons and the older student comes right after them. They became friends in the waiting room in the few minutes or so they see each other from week to week. The younger boys like talking to this older student and we decided to learn a piano trio together. We practice it at the end of the younger students' lessons and into the older student's lesson time. I picked a fairly easy piece for all of them, and the older student has been directing the practice sessions. It is fun to mix ages of students who work together from time to time. They all learn from each other. Here is how it is sounding so far! Download Trio g j and d
January is here and students are back from winter break. The first part of 2014 involves preparation for Certificate of Merit, which will be held in San Diego at the end of March. The Certificate of Merit, a program held statewide through the Music Teachers' Association of California is a 5-part exam which includes testing at eleven levels on performance, technic, sight reading, music theory and ear training.
I use my group lessons to prepare students for learning the music theory, sight reading and ear training. Closer to the time of the auditions, I will use the group lessons as performance classes. This week students in classes are studying theory together, going through practice theory tests, and drilling on theory facts.
During private lessons to prepare for this exam we are working on the literature and technic portions. Students at the lower levels of this program prepare 2 pieces plus a list of items on a technic chart. As the levels progress, students are required to play up to 4 pieces for their performance audition, as well as preparing for the technic portion. More information on Certificate of Merit can be found at mtac.org.
One of the most difficult issues we face as piano teachers is keeping students motivated and enthusiastic about playing the piano over many years. Some years are definitely better than others! But, generally, the middle school and high school years are harder times for students as they begin facing growing pains and homework overload. Their time becomes less free and playing the piano often gets lost in the shuffle.
One thing that I feel has really helped me with motivating my students as they grow, is that I work hard at developing a community within my studio from they time they begin lessons. My students take both private and group lessons weekly and in order to schedule all of this, they often end up spending an extra half hour or hour in my waiting room. The students spending a little free time together, even just in the waiting room, helps them get to know each other and they look forward to seeing each other from week to week.
The group lesson time together each week gives us extra time for learning, but also for having fun together. Last week, for example, in one of my classes we had a tea party, which they had asked me for the week before when they were interested in the tea I was drinking. They all arrived for the group lesson excited about having tea and I played Bach and Mozart for them while they drank their tea.
Having friends in an activity is a huge pupil saver when middle school and high school hard times come into play. If the lessons in my studio are giving the students music as well as life lessons, good friends, and good times, students will often value this time and will choose to stick with this activity, regardless of other interfering issues.
Last week Mom and I had a wonderful visit with a terrific group of enthusiastic piano teachers from Japan. The teachers attended workshops and recitals, observed our lessons and did a bit of shopping here in San Diego! The weather was beautiful, the roses are still blooming, and we all enjoyed an inspiring few days. We want to thank all of these teachers for coming to visit us and wish them all the best as they get settled back in at home in Japan. ~Lori and Jane
We had our annual studio Halloween party last night! It was a great first get-together of the new school year, with students performing in a recital, followed by treats and crafts. Here are some highlighted video clips from the performance.
Download Chinese Folk song
Download Beethoven Sonata
Download Goblins Dance
Download Khachaturian sonata
Download Scat Boogie
Download Sunny Sonatina
The fall semester is off to a great start. I have so enjoyed these first few weeks of the new school year and now that October is here, my garage studio is a lot more comfortable with the weather starting to cool down! My current group of students ranges from ages 5-adult, with more than half of the class between the ages of 5-12. Here are a few short video clips from last week's lessons. Enjoy!
Download Black cat shuffle Download Spindler Download Love somebody Download Abcs
I just received word that a new on-line music teachers' convention will be held in February 5-8, 2014.
Check out MusicEdConnect.com to view information regarding presenters and sessions for this brand new on-line conference for piano teachers. It sounds exciting and informative and is a great opportunity for teachers to "attend" a convention from their very own homes.
I am having so much fun teaching two beginner boys in a 30-minute semi-private weekly lesson. We are using Piano Party A, Theory and Ear Training Party A, and Perfomance Party A, (Bastien) and are having great success! This series of books is my favorite to use with young beginners because so much technic can be taught from the very beginning. Notice that a lot of work can be done away from the piano which makes this course easy to use in a small group situation. Here are a few video clips from our second lesson.
Download Clapping song
Download IMG_3186
Download Mud games in may
