Reading Notation, Reviews, Technology

Aug 2013 Giveaway: SightReadMinor app for iPad

Joy Morin

mzl.kzclobbb.480x480-75Remember my review for the SightReadPlus app for iPad?  Well, here is an update:

I’ve been using it here-and-there with students during lessons with great success.  I love being about to choose the key and make the student have to really think about the various key signatures.  As I mentioned in the previous review, I appreciate that the app keeps the student accountable to the beat so the student does not feel it is an option to stop playing if they make a mistake.

I’ve also recommended SightReadPlus to a few of my adult students, who love that fact that the app shows them how well they did — both with the pitches and the rhythm.  It’s like having your teacher at home with you when you practice!  I have really been impressed with the usefulness of SightReadPlus.

Good news — The developers behind SightReadPlus have just released a sequel: the SightReadMinor app.  SightReadMinor works much the same way as SightReadPlus, but it contains 2880 short exercises in all minor keys for $4.99 (SightReadPlus contains 4800 short exercises in all major keys for $7.99).

More good news — The developers have also offered two promo codes of SightReadMinor for a giveaway!  In order to enter the giveaway, please leave a comment on this post about how your Fall studio planning is going.  🙂  A winner will be randomly chosen after Midnight EST on Thursday, August 15 and announced the next day.

Music Camps

2013 Music of the World Camp – Sneak Peek

Joy Morin

This week, I’ve been running my third and final summer music camp!   Below is a peek at some the activities we did during camp.

You may not be surprised to learn that I chose lapbooking as the method of learning during our world music camp.  Lapbooking works so well for studying composers and it works very well for studying countries, too.  🙂

DSC_20130807_095911 Continue reading “2013 Music of the World Camp – Sneak Peek” →

Announcements, Studio Business

TeachPianoToday.com Podcast

Joy Morin

logo (1)Have you heard about the new podcast for piano teachers created by the folks at TeachPianoToday.com? I have enjoyed listening to the first few episodes since they launched their podcast last month (click here to listen to Episode 1 and Episode 2).

So, I was honored when Andrea asked if I would be willing to be a guest for Episode 3, which has been released today!  Click the link to listen to our conversation about the challenges of relocating and starting a piano studio again from scratch.

While you are there, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss TeachPianoToday’s future podcasts and blog posts!

Reviews

Review: Keys To Imagination’s “Misterioso Manor” Motivational Game

Joy Morin

Sebastian Sharp and the Case of the Missing Manuscript is a motivational game created by Michelle Sisler from KeysToImagination.com.  This game is designed to help motivate students to practice throughout an entire school year.

Here is a summary of the storyline for the game:

Aunt Bernice has invited her nephew Sebastian and niece Elise to visit.  When Sebastian began playing a piano piece in the Misterioso Music Room, a ghostly man suddenly appeared on the piano bench next to him, asking for help.  The man said, “I don’t know how you know this song — I JUST wrote it!  My manuscript is missing and I must find that song!  I think someone in this house stole my music.  I must find it!”  The student’s job is to help solve Sebastian Sharp and The Case of the Missing Manuscript.  Each day the student practices the required amount set by the teacher, s/he will earn a step in the Misterioso Manor. As students visit each room of the Misterioso Manor, they will earn 15 clue cards which will lead them to discover WHEN the ghostly composer lived, WHO the musician was, WHAT piece Sebastian was playing, WHO stole the manuscript and WHY, and WHERE s/he hid it.

Below is a preview of the vinyl boardgame, which measures 2′ x 3′ and can be hung on the wall using thumbtacks.  The kit contains 24 game pieces for your students (you can order more if needed).  The game pieces have a sticky bottom so they can stick and re-stick to the vinyl board.  Students can move their game pieces forwards or backwards on the board, but not diagonally.  When students land on or pass a space with a question mark, they earn one of the eight suspect cards.  When students move to a red space with footprints, they earn one of the clue cards.

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Continue reading “Review: Keys To Imagination’s “Misterioso Manor” Motivational Game” →

Music Theory, Worksheets

Music Key Worksheets & More

Joy Morin

Some months ago, I found some fun faux keys at a craft store for $1 each (pictured below).  I bought 12 of them.  

(Can you guess where this is going?)  🙂

Continue reading to find out what I did with them! Plus, download a free 15-page resource of worksheets and more for major + minor key signatures and scales.

Read on.

Continue reading “Music Key Worksheets & More” →
Conferences

NCKP 2013 Haul

Joy Morin

I almost forgot to post a photo of all the freebies I took home from the NCKP.  (I love freebies!)

Each day, there is an Exhibiter Showcase in the morning and late afternoon.  These sessions often offer freebies of some the latest releases from major publishers, usually in a free tote bag.  Here is a photo of the free music I took home with me:

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The value of these books is nearly $200!  That certainly helps defray the costs of attending a national-level conference, and it is fun to hear about the latest books and resources available.

Conferences

NCKP 2013 – Wrap-Up Post

Joy Morin

NCKP-2013_logo_v2croppedThe National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy is awesome.  I learned so much and it was wonderful to connect or re-connect with other teachers.  The schedule is intense — there are sessions, master classes, recitals, teaching demonstrations, etc., scheduled throughout the day.  At certain points in the schedule, you must choose between a handful of sessions to attend — and it is very difficult to make just one choice!

As you know, I blogged quite a few of my conference notes.  I used my new iPad Mini to take notes.  I really should have invested in one of those little keyboard case things, because typing with the on-screen keyboard was a bit tricky.  I apologize about any typos you find in my notes — editing with the touch screen was not easy and auto-correct was also working against me.  I have fixed some of the typos, but still have more editing to do.

Typos or no, I hope some of you enjoyed reading about some of the sessions I attended.  You should know that reading my notes is nothing like being there in person, though.  Start saving for NCKP 2015!  😉

In case you are interested, you can check out some of the handouts from the sessions here on the Francis Clark Center website.  Some of the sessions were recorded and live-streamed — you can view those here.

This year at the conference, I made a point of taking more photos.  At past conferences, I’ve returned home to realize I had only taken one or two.  I did better this time!

Below is a photo of me with some colleagues: my cousin, Sarah; my friend from grad school, Loretta; my friend Yen-Lin from my local MTNA chapter; and my new friend Drema from Vancouver. This was taken in the hotel lobby.  Continue reading “NCKP 2013 – Wrap-Up Post” →

Conferences

NCKP 2013 (17) – Building Firm Foundations for Music Literacy by Janna Olson

Joy Morin

Sat 2013 July 27 @ 2:15pm – Building Firm Foundations for Music Literacy by Janna Olson.

Edwin Gordon is a music education researcher who began what is known as the Music Learning Theory (MLT). MLT help students gain audiation. It uses a brain friendly learning sequence.

Ms. Olson shared how MLT has changed her life. MLT helps give students an excellent music education, not just skills in piano playing.

The philosophy:

(1) The process is more important than the performance. Audiation is the focus.
(2) Student motivation (immediate, not long term) and musical independence are the primary focuses.
(3) Everyone has musical aptitude. Aptitude is about potential. When you think about the things required to be a good pianist, they are largely non-musical. Concentration, focus, ability to memorize, grit, work ethic, discipline, etc.
Continue reading “NCKP 2013 (17) – Building Firm Foundations for Music Literacy by Janna Olson” →

Conferences

NCKP 2013 (16) – Singing Through Your Instrument, by Scott Donald and Klondike Steadman

Joy Morin

Sat 2013 July 27 @ 11:15am – Singing Through Your Instrument, by Scott Donald and Klondike Steadman.

Mr. Steadman began the Orpheus Academy of Music with the intention of being able to offer private and group classes for students and constant interaction between teachers.

Singing is so beneficial because it brings students joy and allows students to internalize the music before playing. Singing is also a helpful tool for teachers to be able to assess understanding.

Among many of the approaches and methods that teachers at the Orpheus Academy bring, the Kodaly approach is fairly central. It begins with listening, goes on to experience through kinesthetics or visuals, and ends with the presentation of a concept. Continue reading “NCKP 2013 (16) – Singing Through Your Instrument, by Scott Donald and Klondike Steadman” →

Conferences

NCKP 2013 (15) – Teaching Demonstration: It’s Only Natural: Planting the Seeds for Growth in Elementary Teaching, by Amy Glennon and Angela Triandafillou

Joy Morin

Sat 2013 July 27 – Teaching Demonstration: It’s Only Natural: Planting the Seeds for Growth in Elementary Teaching, by Amy Glennon and Angela Triandafillou

Ms. Glennon and Ms. Triandafillou suggested that students are like seeds: we must provide the correct environment but we cannot force them to grow. They must grow themselves naturally.

What is the natural learning sequence? Sound, Feel, Sign, then Name.  Go from the general to specific. The presenters showed a number of short video clips showing weekly group classes where students are learning concepts through this method.

One of the activities from the videos was called the “circuit activity.” Students walked like a tight-rope dance on Bass F to the piano, played Bass F, moved to the next station to play Bass F on the next piano, and then to the whiteboard on the table where the marked Bass F, etc.

Ms. Glennon and Ms. Triandafillou showed many more video examples demonstrating this natural learning sequence. It was a great session!