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Piano Recital November 2009

Piano Recital November 2009

Did you know...PIANO LESSONS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Music plays an important part in the lives of people. Everyone can learn and benefit from the study of music. There is musical potential in every individual and like all potential, it should be developed to its fullest. Music can connect us to our history, tradition and heritage while providing a constructive use for leisure time.
The study of music aids in mental, physical and personal needs. Music is a uniquely powerful means of involving and integrating the activities of both the right and left halves of the brain, combining the rational and the aesthetic.
There is a proven correlation between musical study and the following:

Muscular Development: It improves a child's small motor skills, hand-eye coordination and over-all physical coordination.
Increased Listening Ability: This helps to increase the attention span, concentration, and long and short term memory.
Increased Primary Mental Abilities: (verbal, perceptual, number, and spatial) This sharpens a child's communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills. He or she learns to understand, interpret and use symbols in new contexts.
Creative Potential: This promotes awareness of student's capabilities using imagination and responsibility. They learn to work for and cooperate with others.Through participation in music, children learn the gratification of work shared and challenges met. It helps your child learn how to learn.

Monday, June 28, 2010

4 ways to purchase music books

I have heard that the following are great places to purchase music books online:

http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/
http://www.pianolane.com/
http://www.jwpepper.com/


I mostly purchase my music at Kline's Music in Sacramento - 916-456-8742 or I order directly from the publisher.

Take your children on a field trip to Klines music! Let them browse through music on their level. They also have a room to play through the pieces.

Please tell us about your best experience in purchasing music!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Summer Fun - More ideas!

Summer Fun! - Part 2

Did you choose a "Summer Fun" from yesterday's post? What "Summer Fun" might you be interested in? If you are a current student we can get started next week at your lesson. You choose and the "Summer Fun" can begin!

Play "fun" music: All musicians can use the summer to learn and play the music they really enjoy. They can explore ethnic music, popular music, jazz music or whatever music they deem to be "fun".

Listen to music live: Music students can also get musical inspiration by attending live performances during the summer.

Improvise: Music students can start using a familiar song or rhythm as a guideline, such as the "golden chord progressions" (.e.g, I-vi-IV-V or I-V-vi-IV).They can incorporate technical exercises, such as scales, chords, arpeggios, and transform them into songs.

Compose: Music students can explore their own creativity through music composition. Music can be written down by hand onto manuscript paper or by using music notation software.

Play at social gatherings: After a year of hard work, music students can show off what they learned at social events, such as family reunions, a block party, their grandparents' nursing home or a community celebration. Are you having a party on July 4th? Many students are currently working on a patriotic song that would be great to play for this holiday.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Summer Fun!!-More to Come!

Which one will you choose? Take a look at tomorrows posting before you decide. You may be able to do more than one!



Learn the music of your country. Many of us learn the traditional repertoire without regard to what is being created in our own countries. Take the time to explore the musical output of where you came from!


Perfect your technique: Without the pressure of upcoming concerts, summer is a fine time to go that extra mile in perfecting those scales. Let’s fill in the scale chart this summer! You can do it!

Learn to sight read: Sight-read a wide variety of music: Sight reading and sight playing are skills that take time to develop. Learning how to read on the spot is a great skill. In small doses, take the time to learn how to sight read every single day over the course of several weeks. I recommend Frederick Harris Music's Four Star Sight Reading and Ear Tests by Boris Berlin and Andrew Markow .


Pick out songs by ear: Music students can develop their musical ear by picking out the notes to their favorite songs. Intermediate and advanced students can try to pick out harmonies and accompaniment patterns to complement the melody. Music students who want to practice chording can do an internet search on "[insert title] + chords]."

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Summer Fun-Music to Explore

Looking for ways to encourage more practice through the summer?

Great books to explore!


Alfred Publishing
Famous & Fun Series- solo or duet
They have solo books and duet books.
If you are level 3 in Mayron Cole then choose level 2.
There are many great fun, popular pieces in these selections.

Hal Leonard
Popular Piano Solos or More Popular Piano Solos.
If you are Mayron Cole level 3 then choose level 3.
Great pieces

Alfred's Basic Piano Library
Solo Book- Top Hits
Another fun series
If you are level 3, then choose level 2

Mcpiano.com
Mayron Cole Method
There are some solo books and sheet music available for most levels
This is a great place to start. Choose the level you are currently in.

MORE SUMMER IDEAS TO FOLLOW