Tag: piano lessons

Printable List of Music Apps

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Have you ever wished you had a list of apps you’d like parents to buy for their kids to use in between lessons? Well I do this at least once a week – especially with my beginning students. So, I made a list that you can print here. I have personally used each of these apps in my studio and these are ones that my students enjoy. All of them are available in the itunes store and work for iPad, iPhone, and iPod. A few of them are specifically geared towards preschoolers, but most of them can be used and enjoyed by students of all ages. If anybody has a list of Android music apps, please share!

The Best Of Both Worlds

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For years I have taught on a Baldwin Pianovelle Digital Piano. Of course I know the beauty of an acoustic piano, but I do like the advantages that digital pianos provide. Instant rhythm sections to play along with are a lifesaver for students and myself as well. It makes learning to keep a steady beat a lot easier and a lot more fun! And oh my the sound effects! I’ve used them to teach all kinds of concepts from “shooting” keys to learn the names of  notes to using “drips of water” to teach technique. All these things are great, but I am so happy to finally have an acoustic baby grand in the studio in addition to the digital! With this being the first week of lessons and everybody’s introduction to the new baby in the studio my students have not wanted to take their hands off the piano! Great start to a great school year! Hmmm… I feel a contest to name the New Baby Grand is in our future!

What’s fresh and new in your studio this year? I’d love to hear about it from the simplest addition to the biggest.

 

Tool To Help Students Considering Music As A Career

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Majoringinmusic.com offers articles, advice, and links on choosing a music school, majoring in music, and building a successful music career. Listed in the most recent issue of American Music Teacher Magazine, a publication of the Music Teacher’s National Association, the site has a wealth of useful information that teachers can use as they help students develop the technical skills necessary for further study. There are articles for parents and students with practical real world implications of a career in music from financing your education and your life to honing your skills as well.

I might even do a studio wide project on becoming a professional musician using this site.  Any ideas? Share them in a comment!

Great Book: Lang Lang – Journey of A Thousand Miles

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I just finished reading Journey of a Thousand Miles: My Story by Lang Lang with David Ritz. This book literally drew me in from the first to the very last page. I did not want to put it down. When I had to put it down, because life was calling, I wondered what would happen next in this great classical pianist’s story. There was not a moment of disappointment.

As I read of his struggles and the extreme sacrifices his parents made to help him master the piano and the passion he himself has for music I was inspired. Honestly, it made me want to rush to the piano and practice – sincerely practice. And that’s exactly what I did several times in between chapters.

“Hearing” Lang Lang tell his story of being a piano student in China was mind-boggling at times because it is so different from the way we do it in America. There is a different depth to the process of musical learning and commitment to the craft than what I have experienced. It makes me wonder what kind of musician I would be if I had grown up in China. Would I be happy? I’m not sure. Would I be exceptionally skillful? Maybe. Lang Lang points out some wonderful differences that Americans have culturally as well. The freedom to be yourself, to express yourself in unique ways is one thing that Lang Lang speaks of discovering once he came to America. I enjoyed reading between these two worlds through Lang Lang’s eyes.

One of my favorite quotes from the book:

“Remember, it is easy to be a pianist, all you have to do is move your fingers. But to be a great pianist you have to use your mind.”

I think this is a great read for every piano student, piano teacher, and piano parent.

 

A Piano Student’s Thoughts on Playing

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One of the misconceptions about piano lessons is that they are only for girls. This amazes me since most of the very famous composers were men – hello Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, etc. Also, most of your top concert pianists and jazz pianists are what? Men. Don’t get me wrong – I know that women can hold their own at the piano. I’m a living breathing example of that! However, this myth that piano lessons are a girl thing to do is far from the truth and it has to be stopped. Listen to what one of my rising 6th grade male students has to say about piano lessons. When I heard this, it made me so proud to be a piano teacher.