April 2021 Studio Newsletter

Greetings Studio Family!

We are finally in to the “Spring” of things! My family and I have been having tons of fun outside, doing yard clean up, playing at the playground and searching for ladybugs 🐞 in our yard (we have some new “temporary pets” now apparently). We were also able our trailer on a a short, “socially distanced” camping trip to our cousin’s dairy farm over Spring Break and it was wonderful! 🐄🐄🐄🐄

Professional Development:

1. I will be participating in an online class series focused on teaching intermediate students - lead by Tim Topham and Janna Williamson.

2. I’m excited to have the opportunity to play around with some recording equipment this month, borrowed from a colleague! I’m hoping to figure out what technology would work best for me and add them for use in my studio for myself and my students as well! 🎤🎧

March Studio Spotlights

• I challenged my students to pump up their practice routines this month! Awards were given at various levels for the MARCH PIANO PRACTICE CHALLENGE and HIGH FIVES go to Everett, Delainey, Finley, Liam, Maeve, Elyse and Finn, and Niklas for submitting very full practice cards!

• A big CONGRATULATIONS to Max and Averie for completing a book this month!

March Review:

• 4-week Practice Challenge!

• Composing (all levels)

• Chording and improvising

• St. Patrick’s Day themed games, theory activities.

• St. Patrick’s Day Composing!

More to come in April…

• Easter composing

• Easter/Spring themed games and activities

• “April Showers” Family Practice challenge ☂️

• Easy chord progressions as Warm Ups
  

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

• The SPRING LESSON TERM ends the last week of May (25/26) so to celebrate, I’d like to aim to do an Outdoor Piano Party!! WHEN: Thurs, May 27, 2021 - 4:15-5:00, 6:00-6:45 (two groups) WHERE: my backyard (weather permitting) WHO: my students! WHAT: I’d like to set up a keyboard in my back yard and give students the opportunity to play for each other and discuss their music. COVID-safe rules will be in place. More details to follow.
  

👇Proper Piano Posture - Pt.2 “And Now You Know…” 🤯

THE MOST COMMON PIANO POSTURE Solutions

1. Piano Bench Adjustments - When seated, the performer should be able to reach the keys while keeping their forearms parallel to the ground. - If you don’t have an adjustable bench, you can use foam pads under the bench’s legs to raise it to the correct height. Another option would be to sit on books. - A performer’s feet should be flat on the floor to provide them with a sense of balance and stability. If their feet are dangling off the bench they need a footstool.

2. Piano Bench Distance - Students’ elbows should be bent at a 90-degree angle when their fingers are on the keys. - A quick way to find the right distance is to ask your students to make a fist and reach to touch their fist to the fallboard of the piano; their knuckles should just be able to touch.

3. Hand Shape On The Piano - The back of the students’ hands should be in alignment with their forearms. - Fingers should be naturally curved with pinkies’ tips and the sides of the thumbs resting on the keys (cup hand over knee caps and maintain that shape as the hand is lifted to the keys). - Wrists should be loose and flexible to allow for ease of movement. - Play with the pads of the fingers without bending at the first finger joint. adapted from: https://www.teachpianotoday.com/piano-posture-and-hand-position/

Next month…. “Delving deeper into Piano Posture Problems” (or ask me at lesson) 🤔😉

Bits and Pieces:

We are still doing online lessons and I want to say again how grateful I am for everyone’s willingness to use technology so we can all meet and learn together!

Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or comments :) In addition, I'd love it if you would share my contact info with anyone you know that is interested in taking lessons. Thanks again for all of your support!!

- 😍 Andrea Elzinga 🎹