May 2019 Piano Newsletter

Rain, snow, rain, snow….the weather can’t decide! I’m glad that today is a sunny day and that the girls and I were able to spend some time at the playground. I’m getting excited to do some planting in the garden as well. April was a good month (my youngest turned 2!) but I’m looking forward to summer!

I’d like to take a moment to celebrate 3 students who have diligently practiced over the past few months and earned 30 days of practice for the 30 PRACTICE BULL’S EYES CHALLENGE! Congratulations to Liam, Maeve and Ciara for earning the top prize!

This month in studio we have had fun doing a variety of Easter/Spring themed activities. Students completed a few “colour by rhythm” pictures (reinforcing different note/rest values) and we have also played a few “easter egg” games placing mini jelly beans upon the grand staff to practice our “landmark notes”. Students also had another opportunity to compose “motives” and write lyrics for our “Hop to It” activity! Some students have elected to play their version for the piano party!

This month I have the 6th annual (I think?) PIANO PARTY CELEBRATION planned for Saturday May 25! This has been a great event in past years and I know many of my students are already excited! The party is intended to celebrate a year of hard work, learning and achievement for all of my students. From 10:00-11:30am students will take turns sharing a few songs with each other, playing a few music-themed games and eating a few treats! Please let me know if there are any allergies or dietary restrictions as I will be providing a small assortment of snacks. Some of you may have realized that I didn’t organize an official recital this year and I intend to look into that for next year. Please enjoy some of the review songs the students will be working on in the next few weeks (as well as some new ones!), and please continue to encourage your child(ren) to practice regularly!

PLEASE RSVP using the form that will be emailed out re: Piano Party May 25th.

"LAPTAPCLAP REVOLUTION!" I was so excited to get this book in the mail and have started it already with my students! Over the next few weeks each student will attempt to learn a small body percussion routine that will be set to some cool pop music when it’s performed!

This past month in the studio:

- 30 Bull’s Eyes Practice Challenge completed

- COMPOSING with a Spring themed “Hop to It!” activity.

- Colour by Note/Rhythm worksheets every class

- “Next-Student Mini Concerts”

- “Easter Egg” quiz games to reinforce “landmark note” recognition.

- More GAMES!

More to come in May!

- Body Percussion Performances with “LAPTAPCLAP Revolution” accompaniments.

- landmark note practice continued.

- “Busted!”PIANO PARTY

- May 25 (10-11:30am) RSVP

- LAST CLASS - May 28/29.

- Summer Challenge!

Practicing Tip of the Month: Use a Metronome to improve timing and Rhythm!

Even the best players sometimes speed up for familiar passages and slow down when the going gets tough. They might not notice, but an audience always does. The only way to counteract is to make it a habit to practise with a metronome.

Advanced tip: If your sense of rhythm needs work, try tapping the rhythm against the metronome then playing the notes that land on the beats. The end result of metronome practice should be that it doesn’t feel as though you are battling it!

http://www.roland.co.uk/blog/how-to-get-the-most-from-your-piano-practice-time/

APP Highlight: “Ear Wizard” - EAR TRAINING!!

EarWizard trains your ear while improving your memory skills. Repeat back a sequence of chords which gets longer with each round of play. As you improve your skills, the visuals disappear and you will have to depend on your EAR! Start off in EASY mode with only a few chords on screen and with practice, you will ultimately reach the hardest level where you will have seven chords on screen and be playing against the clock!

Register in advance for SEPTEMBER 2019!

I already have students signed up for spots starting in September 2019 and will be working on scheduling in the next month or so. Please let me know asap if you would like to continue your lessons in September - I hope I see every one back!! :)

“What type of music are balloons scared of? - - - - - - Pop music!

“What is the difference between a fish and a piano?” - You can’t tuna fish!

- Andrea Elzinga