Free Kindle Ebook on Piano Practice Tips

I found this free ebook on Amazon with some great ideas to motivate kids to practice the piano:

http://www.amazon.com/101-Piano-Practice-Tips-Keyboard-ebook/dp/B00H7LDXJK/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1437528007&sr=1-4&keywords=piano+practice

Concert Etiquette

“A painter paints his pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. We provide the music, and you provide the silence.” 

~ Leopold Stokowski, reprimanding a talkative audience

With a recital coming up in a week, here's a gentle little reminder of how we should act during a performance:

1. Don't talk during a performance.

2. Don't get up and leave while someone is performing.

3. Don't enter the room while someone is performing.

4. Keep small children with you during the performance.

5. Avoid doing anything distracting during the performing--moving around, fiddling around with something in your purse, checking your phone/texting, coughing, etc.

6. Turn off your cell phone.

7. Don't cheer or yell out after someone performs--this is appropriate for sporting events but not for performances.

8. Smile and offer non-verbal encouragement to performers.

A Fun Way to Explore Music

Kids love to make noise...er, music. A fun summer activity is to make your own musical instruments and experiment with rhythm and music.

There are YouTube videos and websites out there on how to make instruments. Here's a pdf file that gives directions, based on actual types of instruments (woodwind, string, brass, etc.): https://www.atlantasymphony.org/aso/asoassets/downloadcenter/Symphony%20Street%20Activity%20Sheets.pdf

Practice Every Day

I can't emphasize enough the importance of daily practice. It is so much better to practice a half hour a day than to practice three hours once a week.

Along this same line, it is important to not stop playing the piano for a while, during the summer, over Christmas break, etc. I have found that when students take time off, it always takes several weeks to get back to where we were before.

Musical Expresses What Words Can't

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.” 
--Victor Hugo

I remember, as a young teenager, the thrill of composing my first song. I had such difficulty expressing myself in words at that awkward age and I remember marveling that was finally able to express what was in my heart.

Victor Hugo was right.

Music Around the World

Music is enjoyed by people on every continent. Here's a great website that introduces children to music from other lands:

http://www.dariamusic.com

Learn about music and songs from other cultures. Discover how to make our own instruments. A fun website to explore.

Learning to Play Musical Instruments

Last week I subbed in a sixth-grade class that attended a school assembly given by a local junior high band and orchestra. The students loved it. At one point the band leader asked for a raise of hands of those in the band who hadn't had prior experience with a band instrument prior to junior high. Most raised their hands.

It brought me back to my junior high band years. Playing in the band was one of the few high points of my junior high career. So many wonderful, memorable experiences! I played the clarinet and later the bassoon and oboe. I had opportunities to play in small ensembles as well as symphony orchestras and everything in between.

I highly recommend that youngsters consider taking up an instrument--any kind of instrument. It can enhance their creativity. And it's a lot of fun!

Feasting on a Smorgasbord of Music

There are so many varieties of music! Long-hair classical, jazz, hip hip, country western...and on and on. I enjoy listening to many kinds of music, depending on my mood and depending on what I'm doing. This morning I was working on our amended IRS tax return. To calm myself down, I put on Native American flute music. So soothing and serene. I love it.

Music Has Healing Power

Elton John said, "Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours."

Playing Jazz is Fun

I'm a substitute teacher. Today I substituted for a high school band teacher. One of the classes I subbed for was a jazz class. I love subbing in jazz classes. We were missing a large percentage of the jazz band members--they were on tour--but the ones who were there were clearing enjoying themselves.

I love to see junior high and high school students bobbing their heads or tapping their feet to a great jazz tune. I love watching the bass violin player thumping out the low throbbing beat. I love watching the young jazz musicians improvising and jamming during the short break.

Jazz, you rock!

Happy Birthday to Me

Today is my birthday. The first thing I did when I woke up was say my morning prayer...which has actually continued throughout the day. It is a prayer of thanks--all thanks, no asking, today. It's been a good life--not always easy, but good. I've been thinking of the specific things for which I am grateful. 

One thing that I thank my Heavenly Father for is music. It has enriched my life in so many ways! I am grateful for the ability to hear! The world is full of music and sound and wonder.

Online Theory Practice

Here are a couple of websites that can be used to reinforce music theory principles:

http://musicteachersgames.com/

http://www.knowledgeadventure.com/games/musical-notes/

I'd recommend singing the notes/intervals as you go; it helps in ear training.

Practicing Tips

Some of my piano students consistently practice every day; others don't.

Here are a few practicing tips:

1. Perhaps the most important hint of all is to be consistent. Set a certain time that you will be practice. Set how long you will practice. It's much better to practice 30 minutes a day than to practice 2 hours one day and none for the rest of the week.

2. Do some relaxing exercises before you begin practice. Take some deep breaths. Wiggle your fingers. Rotate your shoulders. Clear your mind of the concerns of the day.

3. Have a positive attitude.

4. Set some simple goals of what you will accomplish for that practice session.

5. Always do some warm-up exercises--scales, Hanon, chord progressions, etc.

6. Attack the difficult passages of the piece. Work out tricky fingering, rhythm, note patterns, etc. separate hands. Then put them together. Mark with a pencil those areas that need help.

7. If you are making mistakes, slow down!

8. Counting out loud and using the metronome are good ways of improving your rhythm.

9. Using good posture and hand position not only improves your technique but also helps you not to get so tired.

10. Jot down questions you have for your piano teacher; otherwise, you're likely to forget them.

11. End your practice session with a piece that you've mastered and that you love playing.

Surviving a Recital

My piano students are putting the finishing touches on their pieces for next week's recital. Being a little nervous when performing is perfectly normal. Here are some tips on overcoming the last-minute jitters:

1. Breathe. Take time to relax, breathe deeply.
2. Stretch hands and body.
3. Stay hydrated.
4. Channel nervousness into motivation. In other words, use it to encourage you to do you best.

Taken from: http://piano.about.com/od/recitalsperformances/tp/Stage-Fright-Symptoms.htm

And here are some of my own ideas:

1. Arrive early to avoid last-minute rush and, if possible, play your piece on the piano on which you will perform.
2. Take time to be well groomed and dress nicely.
2. Check the program to make sure you know when it's your turn.
3. Take time to adjust the piano bench to the right distance from the piano.
4. Take a deep breath.
5. Take a moment to mentally decide on your tempo. When you're nervous, you may tend to start out faster than you should.
6. If you make a mistake, just keep on playing. Don't correct yourself. Don't gasp or mutter or burst into tears. Just keep on going.
7. When you're done, smile and take a bow.
8. When people congratulate you on doing a good job, be gracious and thank them.
9. Be a good audience for others who are performing.

Learning Intervals--Song Association

Being able to identify intervals by both sight and by sound is very helpful. A good way to train your ear to identify intervals is by associating it with a song that begins with that interval. Here are some ideas:

Major 2nd:
Ascending--Happy Birthday
Descending--Mary Had a Little Lamb

Major 3rd:
Ascending--O When the Saints Come Marching In
Descending--Beethoven's 5th

Major 4th:
Ascending--Harry Potter
Descending--I've Been Working on the Railroad

Major 5th:
Ascending--Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Descending--Feelings/Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella

Major 6th:
Ascending--My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
Descending--Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen

Major 7th:
Ascending--Bali Hai
Descending--??? Any ideas???

Major 8th:
Ascending--Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Descending--There's No Business Like Show Business

Memorize at the Same Time You Learn a Piece

I'm studying a most interesting article entitled "Fundamentals of Piano Practice" by Chuan C. Chang. Many innovative suggestions are offered, some of which I'll have to ponder before I would incorporate or recommend, but I did find this quotation of interest and value:

"Once students develop memorizing-learning routines that are comfortable for them, most of them will find that learning and memorizing together takes less time than learning alone, for difficult passages. This happens because you eliminate the process of looking at the music, interpreting it, and passing the instructions from the eyes to the brain and then to the hands."

There's the pdf version to download: http://www.pianopractice.org/book.pdf.

Sight Reading Factory

https://sightreadingfactory.com/

I just discovered this cool little site. You can type in the instrument, the level of difficulty, the key, and one or two other things, and--presto!--a little sight reading piece is created! I recommend that piano students sight read every day, and this is a great way to accomplish this.

Encouraging a Love of Music

This article gives some great ways to encourage a love for music in children:

http://www.andnextcomesl.com/2013/10/11-ways-to-encourage-love-for-music-in.html

1. Listen to music.
2. Move to music.
3. Listen to rhymes and sing songs.
4. Learn and play with music toys.
5. Make homemade musical instruments.
6. Read books about music.
7. Do music-related crafts and activities.
8. Take a music class/lessons.
9. Attend live musical performances.
10. Let them make noise.
11. Learn about instruments.

Practicing Segments

Learning a piece of music one segment at a time is a good idea, but always include the beginning of the next segment. It helps to link the segments together.

Classical Music for Kids

Here's a great site that shares 14 classical pieces that children can play and enjoy.
http://www.letsplaykidsmusic.com/childrens-classical-music-favourites/

Hands Separate Practicing

For beginning students especially practicing hands separately is important. Taking a short phrase and mastering each hand separately not develops fingers/hands/arms technique and agility, it also brings a sense of accomplishment.

Even more experienced pianists would do well to practice tricky passages with separate hands until each hand is mastered.

Musical Expression

One aspect of playing the piano that doesn't seem to come naturally to many beginning pianists is musical expression---making the music come to life. Playing the piano is so much more that playing a series of notes in a certain rhythm. It's even more than throwing in a few dynamics and some pedaling. The pianist must discover the essence of the piece of music and express the emotion of the music. The pianist is then not just playing the piano but creating music. It's a mental thing. It's a heart and soul thing.

In this article by Lauren Thomsen, six hints are given for developing musical expression:

1. Immerse yourself in the music. Understand the explore the subtle nuances of the music.

2. Imitate. After playing a piece, sing the notes and rhythm of the music, as you remember it.

3. Move your body. If you let the music move you, the music will eventually move through you.

4. Musical walking. Take a step back and view yourself playing the piece--air piano, if you will.

5. Read along. Listen to the piece being played and follow along with the score.

6. Match inner and outer. Take time to play the music internally first, then apply that feeling and passion when you actually play the piece.

http://www.allthingsstrings.com/layout/set/print/How-To/Study-Practice/6-Ways-to-Improve-Your-Musical-Expression-in-a-Performance

Creating music, using musical expression, is so much more enjoyable. No longer is the music flat and uninteresting. Now it lives and flourishes!

I Love This Quote by Beethoven

Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine.”

― Ludwig van Beethoven