May 2021 Studio Newsletter

Greetings Studio Family!

Happy May! The weather is warming up and we are outside every minute we can! Seedlings have been planted and now we are just waiting on the sunshine! Thankful for my big yard these days so the kiddos can run around.

More to come in May…

• “Scale Karate” Level challenge

• Mother’s Day songs

• Piano Party/Performance practice

• composing/improv/chording/lead sheets - always!

• intervals / aural skill practice

April Review:

• Easter composing

• Easter/Spring themed games and activities

• “April Showers” Family Practice challenge ☂️

• Easy chord progressions as Warm Ups

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!

• OUTDOOR PIANO PARTY ** (see below) 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.
  

Studio Updates

1. New Studio Technique Challenge: SCALE KARATE! Levels of achievement and “belts” for beginners through to advanced!

2. Spring Term ends May 25/26 - let me know if you are interested in a Summer Session (June/August)

3. Spots are open for Fall 2021 Session (Sept-Dec)! Please let me know if you are interested!

4. Quite a few of my students participated in the Family Practice challenge this past month I loved hearing the different approaches to practice schedules as well as “awards” for practice achievements: a “yes day”, a fancy movie night....a goat (yes, you read that correct!)

5. I’ve been able to do two recording sessions so far and I’m loving the tech! I can’t wait to get this into studio for the students! Let’s add voice too! I also loved learning at my Tim Topham/Janna Williamson workshop!

6. **Piano Party - with the new restrictions ending on May 25, our outside piano party is a possibility BUT I guess we will have to play it by ear. I’ll email the possible groups for a “live” situation but we might have to resort to an online concert scenario instead.
   

👇Proper Piano Posture - Pt.3 “And Now You Know…” 🤯

Delving Deeper into PIANO POSTURE Solutions: Even a slight change can make a WORLD of difference!

1. Tension In The Shoulders

- Shoulders should be relaxed and down away from your ears. - shoulder blades should drop back with loose shoulder joints to allow for arm movement - breathe naturally :)

2. Tension In The Elbows

- Elbows should not be touching your students’ sides, but should also not be held out too far from the body. Seek out a natural, relaxed position where the elbows are held loosely away from the ribcage.

3. Head Positioning

- Your head should be in line with your spine! - Chin should not pull forward as you play. - Having a straight back with a balanced head will drastically reduce fatigue on the bench. Maintain this tall stance by engaging your core muscles as you sit.

4. Wrist And Hand Positioning - Pinky fingers should be in line with the sides of your hands, wrists, and forearms (avoid having your hands splay out to one side). - Watch for tension in the pinky finger that will cause it to straighten and point up.

adapted from: https://www.teachpianotoday.com/piano-posture-and-hand-position/

Music Joke of the Month:

What is Beethoven's favourite fruit?

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“Ba-na-na-naaaaa!"

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 🎹