Remember the music whiteboard I created using a plexiglass frame from IKEA? Here is my new digital version. 🙂
In the photo above, the staff paper is being used in the GoodNotes app. You can download a multi-page pdf containing the various types of staff paper by visiting the Printables > For iPad page.
These files will probably work just as well on non-iPad tablet devices with a similar app. If anyone tries it, please let me know!
One of the cool teaching tools the iPad provides the piano teacher is the possibility of completing worksheets digitally during the lesson — or using the iPad like a music whiteboard with a custom background. A few of my favorite piano teaching blogs have shared some great resources for using the iPad in this way:
To use these wonderful resources on your iPad, you will need some kind of whiteboard or annotator app that allows you to upload custom “papers” or “backgrounds” upon which you can draw and erase. There are many different options available. Over the weekend, I spent some time researching and testing apps until I found my favorite. Here are the features I was looking for: Continue reading “Annotation Apps for iPad / GoodNotes Pro Review”
For a while now, I’ve been looking for something with more drawers to put in my studio. I have lots of drawers across the room, but I wanted something small enough for the spot next to my chair when I teach.
I recently found this fun little filing cabinet for $30 at a thrift store:
I just had to share a photo with some fellow teachers who would understand my excitement! 🙂 I can’t wait to fill it up with my games pieces, flashcards, music dice, etc.
“Where I come from we say that rhythm is the soul of life, because the whole universe revolves around rhythm, and when we get out of rhythm, that’s when we get into trouble.”
— Babatunde Olatunji
Every Wednesday brings Words of Wisdom here at the Color in my Piano blog in the form of a musical quote or joke, intended to bring inspiration or humor to the middle of your week. Have suggestions? Send me a message here.
As indicated in the sneak peek post, I held a rhythm camp called “I Got Rhythm!” last week. 🙂 We met for 4 days in a row, 2 hours each day.
My husband surprised me over the weekend with an iPad Mini for my birthday!
I am having a lot of fun setting things up, downloading apps, etc. 🙂 Be sure to keep checking the Music Apps page here on my blog, because I’ve been adding a few new apps to my list — and more are on the way!
This week, my students and I are in the middle of rhythm camp!
My blogging might be a bit sporadic for the rest of the week as I continue preparing and teaching this camp. We’ve been busy working in our workbook…
…and playing games and making crafts, too!
I will be blogging more details about our “I Got Rhythm” camp pretty soon. Stay tuned!
“After playing Chopin, I feel as if I had been weeping over sins that I had never committed, and mourning over tragedies that were not my own.”
— Oscar Wilde
Every Wednesday brings Words of Wisdom here at the Color in my Piano blog in the form of a musical quote or joke, intended to bring inspiration or humor to the middle of your week. Have suggestions? Send me a message here.
The T-shirts for my summer music camps arrived yesterday! I’m very excited about this year’s design:
I ordered my shirts from CustomInk.com again this year. I was happy with the quality of the shirts last year, but more importantly — I love that CustomInk has an artist check your design before it gets printed. My design required slight adjusting to make it work properly for both adult and child T-shirt sizes — so it was a good thing they checked everything over before the shirts were printed.
I chose the piano tie design from among the many music graphic options available on CustomInk’s website. All I had to do was add the text on the side! I hope this year’s T-shirt design will be a big hit. 🙂
I haven’t shared much about my summer music camps yet — and they are coming up soon!
Like last year, I’m holding one camp each month. They run Monday through Thursday from 10am-12pm. I chose a different topic for each month:
“I’ve Got Rhythm!” – (June)
During this camp, students will benefit from focusing on arguably the most essential element of music: rhythm! There will be lots of opportunities for group music-making, using body percussion (clapping, snapping, tongue clucking, etc.) and hand-held percussion instruments. Throughout the week, we will also complete workbook about various aspects of rhythm (pulse, time signatures, rhythm values, etc). For students ages 6-14.
“Music History Blast From The Past” – (July)
Back by popular demand, this camp will give students a glimpse into the lives of the four different great classical composers. As we study the composers we will be not only listening to the music of each time period, but also looking at the instruments, clothes, and art of each time period in order to make the past come alive. Each day, we will focus on a time period from music history and create a scrapbook page of pictures/notes to take home. It will be similar to last year’s music history camp, but we will cover four different composers this year. Campers will be sure experience the thrill of a blast from the past during this music history camp! For students ages 6-14.
“Music of the World” – (August)
Join us for a journey around to world to study the music of different cultures! Campers will travel to four different countries to learn about each culture, music style, and musical instruments. Students will complete a workbook and craft their own musical instrument each day. Join us for this adventure! For students ages 6-14.
Are you planning any summer music camps this year? If so, please share about your camp plans in the comments below!
I am a big fan of games, and because of that I am inspired to create a game. I wanted to create a note-naming game for my waiting room area, and this is what I came up with: the Keyboard Rollin’ Game.
There are two game boards to choose from, depending on if you would like to practice treble clef notes or bass clef notes.
A couple of weeks ago, I came across a wonderful little online shop called The Practice Shoppe.
Leslie, the owner, is a Suzuki violin teacher/mom. She sells a variety of fun things in her shop to help make lessons and practice fun for students.
I ordered a few of her wonderful music dice, which are just begging to be used for some music games! I’ll be sharing about a new game tomorrow.
Continue reading “Music Dice & More from ThePracticeShoppe.com”
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