Listening: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

During the Christmas season I love turning on my Christmas music playlist.  I enjoy lots of different styles of music and the great thing is that pretty much every artist makes a Christmas album at some time.  If you put my Christmas playlist on random, you will hear a real variety!

   One of my favorite rocking songs for Christmas is Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24 from the album Christmas Eve and Other Stories by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

   The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a progressive rock band that uses orchestral instruments and rock band instruments to create a very unique sound.  A lot of what they create is called rock opera.  Christmas Eve and Other Stories was the first album the group released.  Since then they have released four more albums including the more recent Beethoven's Last Night and Night Castle.  They have sold over 7 million albums!

   Paul O'Neill is the creator of the group.   "I've always believed that music has the power to transport and transform," O'Neill says. "The arts have incredible power, and with that comes incredible responsibility. Someone once said that if you want to change the world, don't become a politician -- write a book, write a great song. I believe in that, and that's what Trans-Siberian Orchestra is about."

You can watch  Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24 below.  

I am sure you are decorating your house for Christmas.  How about this idea featuring Trans-Siberian Orchestra music?
Wizards in Winter light show

Listening: Stronger

"Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart." - Shinichi Suzuki

   Time for Three is a string trio made up of two violins and a double bass.  
Their new music video addresses bullying and encourages us all to be strong and persevere.  
It features themes from "Stronger" by Kanye West, as well as "Harder, Better, Faster Stronger" and "Nightvision" by Daft Punk.  

Visit Time for Three's official website: http://tf3.com/index.php?page=homepage

To talk about with your parents:  Have you ever seen or experienced someone being a bully?


    What made the boy decide to play in the Talent Show?


    How can you encourage people who have been bullied?


Time for Three will be guests at the Suzuki Conference in Minneapolis in May 2012.  


They are performing in York, PA at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center on April 12, 2012.  Click here for ticket information.

ACHIEVE

   My family and I have been Extreme Makeover: Home Edition fans for years.  If we were home on Sunday evening, everyone knew that the TV could only be tuned to one channel at 8:00.  Just last week they moved the show time to Friday nights, which makes it a little trickier to watch....BUT....thankfully there is On Demand and episodes online.  The episode from October 21 took place in York, Pennsylvania, and I was touched by Brian Keefer's determination and the whole family's dedication to each other.
   Brian suffered a spinal cord injury that has left him paralyzed from the neck down.  However, he is determined to walk again and works extremely hard to make each small step towards his recovery.  His dad has dedicated his time and energy to be Brian's personal caretaker.  He attends college with Brian and takes care of the physical therapy sessions that must happen every day in order to strengthen Brian's muscles.
   During the show, they introduce two other men who suffered paralyzing injuries similar to Brian.  One man now runs in marathons, and the other just walked his first mile.  Their message to Brian is clear:  Believe, work hard, and you will succeed.
   The makeover team installs a therapy pool in the Keefer home to provide vital aqua therapy to Brian.  The side of the pool is decorated with the word ACHIEVE to remind Brian that each small step is an achievement and will lead to his goal of walking again.  Watching Brian in the pool at the end of the show brought tears to my eyes.  In the water, where the pull of gravity is negated, Brian can move his arms freely and he can stand.  


   In my last blog entry I encouraged parents to tell their children what they have done well when they play a piece.  We want them to understand that every step, no matter how small, is an achievement.  Small achievements help us reach large goals.  That goal might be to learn the second Minuet in G in book 2, to finish an entire Clementi Sonatina, to write a computer program, or to reach a business goal.  The life applications are endless.


   Are you helping your child learn how to achieve?


Here is a link to the second part of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition show.  This part contains the message about achievement.  You will be inspired by the Keefer family!
http://abc.go.com/watch/extreme-makeover-home-edition/SH559052/VD55149279/keefer-family-part-2

"Success Breeds Success"

   Dr. Shinichi Suzuki focused a lot on taking small steps in the learning process so that each child is sure to succeed.  By dividing skills or difficult passages into smaller units, the student is able to master each step and to gain confidence as they continue learning.  Every child is different, and not all students will need every small step.  As I work with my students during lessons I am constantly learning more about them and I try to present skills and musical pieces in a way that will help them do their best with confidence.

   As home teachers, parents can continue this process of success.  Cultivate a positive environment by giving specific comments on what the child did well.  If, for example, your child plays an excellent, soft piano section during Allegretto 1, tell them how well it worked.  Even if (or perhaps especially if) you think it was an accident and they were unaware of what they did, draw attention to the positive thing you observed in their playing.  They will happily work to repeat that success.
  As your child works on each step they have been assigned, acknowledge the effort they make.  Praise each achievement.

   If your child is really struggling with a song, look for a way to create a smaller step to work on.  If you are not sure what to do, please feel free to call me!  I would rather find a way to ensure positive success than have you wait and endure a frustrating week of practice with little progress.

  "Success breeds success," Dr. Suzuki said, and one positive practice session motivates students and parents for the next day's practice.

Inspirational Listening

Every week the show "From the Top" airs on PBS and on NPR.  This wonderful show features young musicians with incredible ability.


This past week featured a Suzuki piano student, 8 year old Gavin George.  He is the youngest to be selected to play on the show!

 Click here to hear the whole From the Top episode.

For more from Gavin, visit his YouTube Channel.

A New Game!

Today I made a new practice game for those of you in Book 1!

I have been using Alfred Publishing's Mozart Mouse and Beethoven Bear materials, so I included them in this game.  This game can be played in multiple ways and with many goals in mind.  Here are a few of the games you could play with this board:

   1.  Music Note Trail is good for general practice time.  Roll the die and move your piece after you complete something from your practice list.  Parents, you can play too!

   2.  Practice Spot Time is a tool for a small spot which needs repetition.  Follow the triangles to the very top to finish!

   3.  Review!  We always need to play the songs we already know.  How many can you play from this list?

AND MORE!  Who wants to borrow the game first?

Why Attending Lessons Matters

Note to students: If you're looking for the listening activity, look at last week's post.

   (The information below comes from Helping Parents Practice by Edmund Sprunger)

The Suzuki method makes it clear that parents must attend and participate in lessons.  You may wonder how you are helping your child by sitting there and taking notes.  Here are some of the benefits:

1. You will be able to develop an idea of what your child does (and does not) need to practice.
            The teacher's assignments are intended to help your child grow.
            Good notes ensure that the fine details of assignments don't get lost between the lesson and home.

2. You will learn, over time, how to practice.
            Frequently, the function of lessons is to learn new ways of practicing the things you already know.

3.  It protects your child from the unfair burden of inappropriate parental expectations.
             Children are relieved from the burden of communicating to their parents what the teacher said in the lesson, and can then focus entirely on being present in the lesson.

4.  It gives you an opportunity to grow along with your child.
              You can enjoy watching your child learn, and learn a lot about your child and yourself.

  Mr. Sprunger says: "There is much more to practicing than getting the music down.  It also involves learning about your child and how to work with him or her.  Sure, practicing is about developing musical skills, but it's also about developing the parent-child relationship - the soil in which those skills grow."

What have you observed about how your child learns or about your relationship with your child through Suzuki lessons?

Listening: Canon in D

Johann Pachelbel was a composer in Germany during the late 1600s (the Baroque period).  One of his most famous songs is "Canon in D".  Actually this piece was lost for a while and only published in 1919!1
   A canon is like a round.  The 1st voice is the leader and everyone who comes after him imitates the same melody or creates a variation.
   In Pachelbel's "Canon in D", the cello plays a part underneath the melody that repeats over and over again.  The notes aren't hard to play, and a cellist can get bored if he has to play it a lot!  

   A string quartet, called Pagagnini, decided to make a joke about the cello part.  Watch this video of them playing the Canon.
 Pagagnini: Canon in D
(To skip the introduction, go to the 30 second mark.)

Questions to answer for your next lesson:
What instruments make up a string quartet?
How many variations of the Canon did you hear?
Bonus Question: What is it called when string players pluck the strings with their fingers?


Pagagnini's Official Website: Click Here


1Source: Wikipedia

Practice Games

Dr. Suzuki said, "An unlimited amount of ability can develop when parent and child are having fun together...happiness develops ability."1


    Here are a few ideas to add some fun to your practice routine:

• 101 Ways to Practice One Note, One Measure, One Line
      Repetition, repetition, repetition.... with fun!
• Use a Practice Chart
     Charts can be great motivators in and of themselves for those who like to check things off a list.   They are also great for giving your child some control over what they practice while still ensuring that they will cover what the teacher asked.  Create a practice chart from your lesson notes that includes all the key practice points and review pieces.  You may choose to give your child a reward for completing one day, or one week of practice.
     Ask me for examples of practice charts!
• Use or Create a Gameboard
      For young children use a game like Candy Land or Chutes and Ladders.  You may roll the dice or pull a card to move after completing a practice spot or song.  Parents should play along.  Allow your child to pick the practice spot for you to play!  Who will finish the game first?  (Could be played over several days.)
      OR create your own game!  I have several available in my studio to borrow.
• "Lucky Dip" Box
       This was Dr. Suzuki's idea.  Write each review song, practice spot, technique assignment, etc on a piece of paper.  Place them in a box or bowl.  Have your child take a "Lucky Dip" to decide what comes next!
     You could also use this only for review pieces.  Each day assign your child a certain number of songs to pick from the box at random.
  
  What games have you and your child enjoyed during practice time?  Please share it in the comments section!
  
  1Ability Development from Age Zero  

Practice Advice from Suzuki Association

For some great basic practice advice, check out this article from the Suzuki Association:
http://suzukiassociation.org/news/i-love-to-practice/  

Welcome back!

Welcome back to all my students!  I am very excited to begin this piano teaching year in my new home.  I want to use this space to share tips and activities about the Suzuki method, piano lessons, and music in general.


  Back to lessons means scheduling regular practice times into your family's schedule.  Have you looked closely at your new Fall schedule?  Where will you add practice time?  After school?  Be sure your child has time to eat a snack and regroup so that they can concentrate on a new learning activity.
   In the morning before school? After supper?  If you are planning an evening practice time, be sure that your child will have the energy necessary to concentrate at that time and that it will not be interrupted by other activities such as sports or church events.  I do not recommend evening for young children since they are winding down from a long day at that point.  You may find you have more conflict and less concentration if your child is tired.


   Dr. Suzuki said, "Ability equals knowledge plus 10,000 times."  All of your children have the ability to learn and we are refining the abilities necessary to play the piano.  A friend of mine was talking to me recently about the book "Outliers: The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell.  Gladwell researched highly successful groups of people and came up with the "10,000 hour rule".  According to Gladwell, the key to a high level of success for any skill is a matter of practicing that task or skill for around 10,000 hours.  He also highlights the importance of the community which gives him or her the opportunities necessary to hone their skill.


   I am intrigued by the similarities between Gladwell's research and Dr. Suzuki who also insisted that placing a child in an environment of knowledge and encouragement is crucial in developing ability.  The Suzuki triangle of parent-teacher-student is so important.  Let's work together to create an environment where your child can develop their ability to the next level in playing the piano!  You can start by scheduling regular practice times and by playing the Suzuki recordings daily in their hearing.  Include other types of music recordings as well, in a variety of genres, so that they develop more depth to their musical ear.  I hope to offer links to recordings and artists I recommend in the future.


  In my next post I will give you practical and fun ideas for practicing.