Hello Everyone,
Just a quick note to let everyone know that I am teaching my normal schedule during spring break. If you are not going to be in town, please let me know and we will get a make-up lesson scheduled.
Thanks!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Recital DVDs
As you may know, we didn't get to film the recital like I had planned, but Kristen's father has made his copies available to us. I sure appreciate that! We are going to do some editing, and will get those to you as soon as we are done.
Friday, February 20, 2009
How Much Practice Time?
This week, I had several students who had used the long weekend for extra practice time, and it showed! I love to see the look on their faces when they have accomplished a piece of music and get to feel that "job-well-done" feeling.
Whether it's sitting down for a half-hour at a time, or fitting in a couple of minutes here and there, spending time at the piano every day is a very important part of piano training. As I've told a couple of students, not practicing is like going to a candy store, buying a bag of candy, then throwing it away when you get home. You don't get to enjoy it, and you don't get your money's worth!
For younger students, a couple of minutes per year of age is a good rule of thumb. I think a 5-year-old will benefit from about 10 minutes a day. For older students, a half-hour is reasonable. When I was young (starting at age 7), I had to practice an hour every day. I didn't always enjoy it, but faced with the possibility of stopping lessons or practicing, I chose to practice. And honestly, an hour of practice is a bit long some days -- probably two 30-minute sessions might have been better. But, on those days when you get "lost" in your music, an hour of practice can fly by before you know it.
Right now, I am practicing too! I am working on some pieces for Eclectic, so I know the benefits and the discipline required to sit down and do the work. So, I'm right there with you! I also know how good it feels to add another beautiful piece of music to my repertoire. Currently, I'm working on "I Hope You Dance" - a piano solo version with some really pretty chords and embellishments. Hopefully by tomorrow (when I am scheduled to perform it) it will feel like "mine".
Whether it's sitting down for a half-hour at a time, or fitting in a couple of minutes here and there, spending time at the piano every day is a very important part of piano training. As I've told a couple of students, not practicing is like going to a candy store, buying a bag of candy, then throwing it away when you get home. You don't get to enjoy it, and you don't get your money's worth!
For younger students, a couple of minutes per year of age is a good rule of thumb. I think a 5-year-old will benefit from about 10 minutes a day. For older students, a half-hour is reasonable. When I was young (starting at age 7), I had to practice an hour every day. I didn't always enjoy it, but faced with the possibility of stopping lessons or practicing, I chose to practice. And honestly, an hour of practice is a bit long some days -- probably two 30-minute sessions might have been better. But, on those days when you get "lost" in your music, an hour of practice can fly by before you know it.
Right now, I am practicing too! I am working on some pieces for Eclectic, so I know the benefits and the discipline required to sit down and do the work. So, I'm right there with you! I also know how good it feels to add another beautiful piece of music to my repertoire. Currently, I'm working on "I Hope You Dance" - a piano solo version with some really pretty chords and embellishments. Hopefully by tomorrow (when I am scheduled to perform it) it will feel like "mine".
Friday, February 13, 2009
Summer is Coming
I don't know about all of you, but I am certainly excited to hear some "different" music from the pianists.. I can only imagine their families feel the same way.
I am going to nudge the students forward with a higher difficulty level in the next few months. It won't be long until we are in the summer months, so the time between recital and school being out is a time to bear down and push forward.
And speaking of summer schedules, I am open to suggestions as to how to fit piano lessons in with your vacation schedules, etc. I have thought about doing a package deal (a package of x number of lessons for $x.xx) that you can fit in where you want throughout the summer. If any of you would be interested in going to that kind of a program rather than the normal month-to-month program, let me know. We'll work out the details.
Congratulations to Jackson, who has just completed his Little Mozart #2 book. Way to go Jackson!
Congratulations to Leo -- who has advanced to the Schaum book.
Congratulations to Kacie -- who is going into her Adult Level 2 book.
Congratulations to Rumi who is going into Basic Level 3.
*High Five* to Adam for continuing to practice as he and his family are moving!
Congratulations to Shiven on the birth of his new sister recently.
Happy Birthday to Neil!
See you at lesson!
I am going to nudge the students forward with a higher difficulty level in the next few months. It won't be long until we are in the summer months, so the time between recital and school being out is a time to bear down and push forward.
And speaking of summer schedules, I am open to suggestions as to how to fit piano lessons in with your vacation schedules, etc. I have thought about doing a package deal (a package of x number of lessons for $x.xx) that you can fit in where you want throughout the summer. If any of you would be interested in going to that kind of a program rather than the normal month-to-month program, let me know. We'll work out the details.
Congratulations to Jackson, who has just completed his Little Mozart #2 book. Way to go Jackson!
Congratulations to Leo -- who has advanced to the Schaum book.
Congratulations to Kacie -- who is going into her Adult Level 2 book.
Congratulations to Rumi who is going into Basic Level 3.
*High Five* to Adam for continuing to practice as he and his family are moving!
Congratulations to Shiven on the birth of his new sister recently.
Happy Birthday to Neil!
See you at lesson!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Recital!
WOW. The recital was great. The kids were great. The parents were great. It was quite an afternoon, and I came home exhausted from the energy of it all. Not every note was perfect, and that's OK. What is really important is that without exception every performer was polished and professional and handled the recital beautifully!
Special kudos go to Kristen and Kelsey who were willing to go first. :)
Special thanks to Yvonne Solomon for working behind the scenes and getting the goodies and punch set up. Yvonne is always a trooper, and willing to pitch in. Thanks girlfriend!
I'd like to ask a favor of everyone. I completely forgot to get out my digital camera. Could you please email any pictures you'd like to share? You can send it to t_albright@yahoo.com and I will post it on the blog and on my facebook account.
So, now what? This year I have decided to put a renewed emphasis on sight-reading skills. The earlier students can expect lots of "note-checks" and my intermediate and advanced students can expect more sight-reading in lessons. In order to be a superb all-around pianist, you have to be prepared for any situation that might come up, and sight-reading comes up quite often. It is a special skill to be able to see a piece of music and just sit down and play it.
Special kudos go to Kristen and Kelsey who were willing to go first. :)
Special thanks to Yvonne Solomon for working behind the scenes and getting the goodies and punch set up. Yvonne is always a trooper, and willing to pitch in. Thanks girlfriend!
I'd like to ask a favor of everyone. I completely forgot to get out my digital camera. Could you please email any pictures you'd like to share? You can send it to t_albright@yahoo.com and I will post it on the blog and on my facebook account.
So, now what? This year I have decided to put a renewed emphasis on sight-reading skills. The earlier students can expect lots of "note-checks" and my intermediate and advanced students can expect more sight-reading in lessons. In order to be a superb all-around pianist, you have to be prepared for any situation that might come up, and sight-reading comes up quite often. It is a special skill to be able to see a piece of music and just sit down and play it.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
My New Blog!
I thought it was about time to start a blog for my studio. I am lucky to have a full schedule of fantastic students, each shining in their own way, and each near and dear to my heart. So often I hear myself repeating myself repeating myself repeating myself as I talk to my students, so maybe starting a blog will be a way to relieve some of that. :)
Right now, the most exciting thing going on is the upcoming recital. As I watch each student go through the hard work, nerves (in some cases), and anticipation, I find myself jumping with energy absorbed from them. Without exception each student is wanting to do their absolute best and has worked hard. I am SO proud of them.
For the recital, we all just need to relax and have some fun. This is NOT about being perfect. It's about shining our lights and letting the world see how much hard work we have done. It's about getting comfortable performing in front of other people. It's about realizing that perfection is an ideal to strive toward, but not expect to reach -- we are absolutely human, you know! It's about discovering what our very best is, and sharing our talent with the world. It's about meeting each other and making friends.
In my blog, I may mention students by name, but it will only be by first name. At some point in the future, I may post pictures, but I'll check with parents first! I am excited to have a place where I can brag on the accomplishments of my students.
So that's it for now. I'm off to work on the recital program.
Right now, the most exciting thing going on is the upcoming recital. As I watch each student go through the hard work, nerves (in some cases), and anticipation, I find myself jumping with energy absorbed from them. Without exception each student is wanting to do their absolute best and has worked hard. I am SO proud of them.
For the recital, we all just need to relax and have some fun. This is NOT about being perfect. It's about shining our lights and letting the world see how much hard work we have done. It's about getting comfortable performing in front of other people. It's about realizing that perfection is an ideal to strive toward, but not expect to reach -- we are absolutely human, you know! It's about discovering what our very best is, and sharing our talent with the world. It's about meeting each other and making friends.
In my blog, I may mention students by name, but it will only be by first name. At some point in the future, I may post pictures, but I'll check with parents first! I am excited to have a place where I can brag on the accomplishments of my students.
So that's it for now. I'm off to work on the recital program.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)