March 2019 Piano Newsletter

Spring is coming - I can feel it!!!! As I write this I am sitting at my kitchen table gazing out over 10 cm of freshly fallen snow….but I’m staying positive! This month started off in an amazing way for me….fulfilling a childhood DREAM! This past Sunday I was fortunate enough to be able to take Avery to the RAFFI concert! I grew up with his music and my girls and I listen to it on the daily….starting the love of music early by moving and grooving to fun tunes!

This past month in the studio:

Valentine’s Day Rhythm Shakers!A special Valentine’s Day Improv song.Valentines Theory Activities. More “BUSTED!” game play!The “FABULOUS FEBRUARY FIVE” practice challenge!

More to come in March….

St. Patrick’s themed IMPROV, THEORY games and COMPOSITION! Recording Session - last lesson before Spring Break. Bullseye Practice Challenge! Landmark Note Practice.

“FABULOUS FEBRUARY FIVE” Practice Challenge Report: only one student made this mark! The goal was to practice 5x a week for the last 3 weeks of February and while there was a lot of good practicing going on, I was only able to give out one goal achievement prize. On that note…(haha…see what I did there? :P……)….I’m rolling out the “30 PRACTICE BULL’S EYES CHALLENGE” for March and April. Starting at the lesson this week, I’m encouraging students to continue to try to practice 4-5x a week until the end of April (this includes Spring Break). The goal is 30 practice sessions (pref. one/day) between this week and the lesson on the last full week of April. A prize can be earned so LET’S HIT THE KEYS!

Do you know your “LANDMARK” NOTES?

https://www.chrissyricker.com/blog/free-landmark-note-worksheets

APP Highlight: “RHYTHM CAT - lite or pro, version 1 or 2”

Rhythm Cat is an entertaining game with a great soundtrack to play along to, but it also has the added benefit of teaching you how to read the most commonly used music rhythms, with levels that build up progressively. A fun way for beginners to get past the most challenging and often discouraging introduction to reading music. Developed in collaboration with professional musicians and educators.

Practicing Tip of the Month:

Practice Rhythmically

Since we spend most of our time alone at our piano, it’s easy to have some give and take in the tempo, play rhythms inconsistently and go back to fix tiny mistakes. All of these bad habits can add up to big rhythm problems over time. If you find yourself struggling to play with even rhythms and a consistent tempo, consider one of these techniques:

Play with a metronome. If the metronome is a frustrating or intimidating thing for you, don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many people have to practice how to practice with a metronome. Back up a few steps to an older piece or an easy scale and do some metronome work to get used to how to use it. Play with a drum track. Some people are more successful playing along with a rhythm track on a digital piano or on an app. These tracks feel a little more musical than a metronome. You can hear the emphasis on different beats and it might be easier to stick with it.

(adapted from: https://www.musicnotes.com/now/tips/10-piano-practice-tips/)

Please pass on my information. Thank you to all of you for your continued support!