repertoire / methods, Reviews

Book Review: “Returning to the Piano” by Wendy Stevens

Joy Morin

Summary

  • Title: Returning to the Piano: A Refresher Book for Adults (click to view on Amazon)
  • Composer/Arranger: Wendy Stevens
  • Publisher: Hal Leonard
  • Number of Pages: 96
  • Level: Elementary – Early Intermediate (pieces are in order of difficulty).
  • Other Information: Includes a CD.

Review

As the title suggests, this book is intended for adult piano students who are returning to the piano.  Even in the first few pieces, the students’ hands are not confined to “positions” as in many methods; therefore, this book may be a good solution for students who already are accustomed to moving around the keys, or for the student who would benefit from becoming more comfortable doing so.  (I would not recommend using this book with beginners because it is clearly not intended for that use.) Continue reading “Book Review: “Returning to the Piano” by Wendy Stevens” →

Practicing, Technique

Teaching Phrase: “Pretend It’s Easy”

Joy Morin

Lately, I’ve trying out this phrase with my students, in situations when a student is struggling with the technique of playing a particular passage:

“Pretend this is really easy for you to play.”

This phrase works best in a situation where the teacher observes that the student is holding far too much tension in his/her arms, wrists, and/or fingers to be able to properly execute a passage.  Rather then hearing a command to release some of the excess tension, however, sometimes hearing a phrase such as “Pretend it’s really easy for you,” has a better effect on the student.

What’s supposed to happen when you pretend it’s easy?

  1. A mental release occurs. Suddenly, the student gives him/her-self the permission to play the passage correctly. When we know (or think) it is a difficult passage, sometimes we don’t allow ourselves even the chance to play it correctly because we don’t think we can.
  2. A physical release occurs.  As the student imagines what it would feel like to play the daunting passage if it were easy for him/her, unnecessary tension in the student’s arms, wrists, and fingers melts away.  This release of tension often makes the passage suddenly much easier to play.

Try it, and let me know what you think!

Photo Credit: alexanderward12 | CC 2.0

Printables, Studio Business

Just Added: Monthly Studio Expenses Record

Joy Morin

Just added to the Printables > Studio Business page:

Monthly Studio Expenses Record

Description:

This printable is designed to help track studio expenses.  Each month, a new copy of this form should be printed.  Throughout the month as expenses occur, the teacher can keep record of these expenses in the blanks provided.  Types of expenses include: piano maintenance, professional organization member fees, utility bills (for studio space), office supplies, and more.  At the end of the month, the totals can be summed at the bottom of the page.

Resources

Current Giveaways in the Blogosphere

Joy Morin

If you haven’t already seen these giveaways happening around the blogsphere, take a look below!

  • Natalie Wickham MusicMattersBlog.com is giving away six Suzuki violin cds (ends Thursday, October 14).  Click here to learn more.
  • Jenifer Cook at TheChurchPianist.com is giving away a copy of her book of intermediate level hymn arrangements, called “Showers of Blessings” (ends Friday, October 15).  Click here to learn more.

Best of luck and have a great weekend!

Announcements, Studio Business, Teaching Piano

A Peek into My Lesson Binder

Joy Morin

Today, I thought I’d share some pictures of my “lesson binder” that I use for keeping my teaching records/materials organized.  My current system is designed to be uber portable because I currently teach all my lessons on campus in a practice room.  When it’s time to teach, I grab my lesson binder from my office before greeting my student!

(click each picture to enlarge) Continue reading “A Peek into My Lesson Binder” →

Words of Wisdom

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

Joy Morin

“Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body.”

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

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 an email off to admin[at]colorinmypiano.com.

Music Theory, Printables, Worksheets

Just Added: Musical Terms Worksheet #2

Joy Morin

Just added to the Printables > Worksheets page:

Musical Terms Worksheet #2

This worksheet is intended for elementary level students who have learned basic note values and musical terms. The first section of the worksheet, which is Fill In The Blank, reviews the 10 terms which were introduced in Musical Terms Worksheet #1. The second section, Matching, introduces seven new terms: crescendo, decrescendo, ritardando, barline, double barline, repeat sign, and time signature.

Complete list of covered in this worksheet:

  • treble clef, bass clef
  • quarter note, half note, dotted half note, whole note
  • piano, mezzo piano, mezzo forte, forte
  • crescendo, decrescendo
  • barline, double barline, repeat sign
  • ritardando

Stay tuned – more muscial terms worksheets are to come in the upcoming weeks!

improving as a teacher

Go For the Sound

Joy Morin

Lately, I’ve been thinking about ways to keep students focused on the sound they are creating when they play and preventing them from becoming overly sight-oriented.  Being a good musician is so much more than accurately executing what is written in the score, after all.  Students should be learning to use their ears and listen to what sounds they are making too!

Here are somes thoughts I had for keeping focus on the sound during the piano lesson:
Continue reading “Go For the Sound” →

Announcements, improving as a teacher, Resources

Michigan Teachers: 2010 State Conference October 17-19

Joy Morin

For any fellow teachers in Michigan:

The Michigan Music Teachers Association (MMTA) State Conference is to take place Sunday, October 17 – Tuesday, October 19 at the Detroit Novi Sheraton (21111 Haggerty Rd., Novi).  Click here to for more information (including a link to the conference schedule), and click here to register.

Martha Hilley is this year’s Conference Clinician and Leon Bates is the Conference Artist.  There are many other sessions that look like very promising as well!  I am so excited for the conference to get here!

Not a member of MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) or your state association?

Just a few quick reasons to consider joining a professional organization such as MTNA:

  • Continue your professional development as a teacher by attending national and/or state conferences and local chapter meetings.
  • Network and share ideas with other teachers at conferences and local chapter meetings.
  • Become a certified music teacher (read more here).
  • Enter your students in competitions, SAT testing, and other events.
  • and more!  (Share your reasons in the comments!)

Read more about joining MTNA and your state association here.