In case some of you weren't a part of my studio the past 8 years, I thought I'd let you in on one of my students who is really making a name for herself. Gabriella Roderer from right here in Wellsville is currently attending the Manhattan School of Music in NY on a VERY large music scholarship. She recently came back to win (for the second time) the priveledge of performing with the Utah Symphony. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705332464/Talented-young-musicians-to-solo-with-symphony.html I am so proud of her and so many of my other students.
I have my feel-goods stroked when I hear and read about former students of mine who are using their talent and furthering their education. I am always looking for opportunities to help students share their abilities and love for music. Please remember to always ask me if you have an idea you'd like me to help you act on. I am super great at pageants, talent shows, entertainment, etc. Let's use our music to help others enjoy life a bit more while we share, share, share ... I'll help you.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Music and Your Child's Brain: part 1
Just read this little tid-bit and leave a comment if you have time...
The influence of music on society can be clearly seen from modern history. Music helped Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence. When he could not figure out the right wording for a certain part, he would play his violin to help him. The music helped him get the words from his brain onto the paper.
Albert Einstein is recognized as one of the smartest men who has ever lived. A little known fact about Einstein is that when he was young he did extremely poor in school. His grade school teachers told his parents to take him out of school because he was "too stupid to learn" and it would be a waste of resources for the school to invest time and energy in his education. The school suggested that his parents get Albert an easy, manual labor job as soon as they could. His mother did not think that Albert was "stupid". Instead of following the school's advice, Albert's parents bought him a violin. Albert became good at the violin. Music was the key that helped Albert Einstein become one of the smartest men who has ever lived. Einstein himself says that the reason he was so smart is because he played the violin. He loved the music of Mozart and Bach the most. A friend of Einstein, G.J. Withrow, said that the way Einstein figured out his problems and equations was by improvising on the violin.
How 'bout that?
The influence of music on society can be clearly seen from modern history. Music helped Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence. When he could not figure out the right wording for a certain part, he would play his violin to help him. The music helped him get the words from his brain onto the paper.
Albert Einstein is recognized as one of the smartest men who has ever lived. A little known fact about Einstein is that when he was young he did extremely poor in school. His grade school teachers told his parents to take him out of school because he was "too stupid to learn" and it would be a waste of resources for the school to invest time and energy in his education. The school suggested that his parents get Albert an easy, manual labor job as soon as they could. His mother did not think that Albert was "stupid". Instead of following the school's advice, Albert's parents bought him a violin. Albert became good at the violin. Music was the key that helped Albert Einstein become one of the smartest men who has ever lived. Einstein himself says that the reason he was so smart is because he played the violin. He loved the music of Mozart and Bach the most. A friend of Einstein, G.J. Withrow, said that the way Einstein figured out his problems and equations was by improvising on the violin.
How 'bout that?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Performance Season Begins
Your student will be receiving assignment this week for piece (s) to be performed. Check the calendar and make sure you know when the performance is and please, please help your child be prepared so success is a given. Performing well is important to every child's self-esteem. Here is a good "Recital Preparation Formula":
**At least 6 weeks before the recital, choose a piece that you can have memorized soon. Make sure that you have notes, rhythm and fingering correct already. This performance is a gift to the audience. We want you to be able to share your talent with the people you have invited. Parents, friends, etc. will feel proud of your child's accomplishments.
Parents are in charge of making sure that the recording of the piece to be performed is played hundreds of times during these weeks, it will be heard so much that not only will it be memorized easily, it will be "internalized".
Week 1 and 2: skill building
Week 3 and 4: make it musical
Week 5 and 6: Five a Day
Week 6: Insurance Practice
Last Lesson Before Recital: The piece should be polished so shiny that the teacher can see her own reflection in it!
Concert Day: Team Power
**make sure that the child has had time to relax, eaten good meals, and has a happy attitude. Make sure you are early to the concert with a shiny, clean instrument. Give your child a short pep-talk on how proud you are that he/she has prepared so well. Sit back and enjoy your "gift".
**At least 6 weeks before the recital, choose a piece that you can have memorized soon. Make sure that you have notes, rhythm and fingering correct already. This performance is a gift to the audience. We want you to be able to share your talent with the people you have invited. Parents, friends, etc. will feel proud of your child's accomplishments.
Parents are in charge of making sure that the recording of the piece to be performed is played hundreds of times during these weeks, it will be heard so much that not only will it be memorized easily, it will be "internalized".
Week 1 and 2: skill building
Week 3 and 4: make it musical
Week 5 and 6: Five a Day
Week 6: Insurance Practice
Last Lesson Before Recital: The piece should be polished so shiny that the teacher can see her own reflection in it!
Concert Day: Team Power
**make sure that the child has had time to relax, eaten good meals, and has a happy attitude. Make sure you are early to the concert with a shiny, clean instrument. Give your child a short pep-talk on how proud you are that he/she has prepared so well. Sit back and enjoy your "gift".
Friday, August 14, 2009
Back-to-School means Back-to-Schedule
Alright then. It's time to organize yourselves, parents. And I mean - now. (I'm chanting this like the girls on "Annie")
I speak not only to you as a seasoned teacher, but as a parent who is trying super hard to convince herself that summer has to end and that there are many positive sides to this. First of all, we can actually mop our kitchen floors because they will stay clean for a few hours now that the muddy children will be mudding up the school hallways instead of ours. Second, we can spend a bit of time putting together our children's music binder so that practicing comes back to a rhythm. A nice, organized rhythm. Read on.
The music binder is important for many reasons. When I first began taking organized lessons, my teacher had me put a picture of myself with my flute in it on the front cover. I always thought this was dull until about 10 years later when I looked back at it, and had to laugh at my big poofy ratted up bangs, tightly tucked in shirt and perfectly pegged pants. (this photo is not available to the public) But........ I LOVE IT. It reminds me of so many things. First of all, the picture was taken in my teacher's yard, with my OLD flute. (more memories) I also remember how excited I was to go to lessons, and how my instructor seemed to care about my musical well-being. (it's nice to be cared about) I have pages of music assignments and notes taken and thoughts I wrote down about each performance I did. Priceless.
Your assignment for this month is to carefully organize your child's notebook. You know, the one you bring to lessons each week. It's the hard-shelled 3 ringed binder with pockets. It's usually decorated by the child in whatever fashion suits them. It is full of blank paper and tabs to help separate the notes from the copies and theory sheets. It's a good notebook. Your child will love to look on it later as if looking through their grandmother's journal. It's that neat. Really.
I speak not only to you as a seasoned teacher, but as a parent who is trying super hard to convince herself that summer has to end and that there are many positive sides to this. First of all, we can actually mop our kitchen floors because they will stay clean for a few hours now that the muddy children will be mudding up the school hallways instead of ours. Second, we can spend a bit of time putting together our children's music binder so that practicing comes back to a rhythm. A nice, organized rhythm. Read on.
The music binder is important for many reasons. When I first began taking organized lessons, my teacher had me put a picture of myself with my flute in it on the front cover. I always thought this was dull until about 10 years later when I looked back at it, and had to laugh at my big poofy ratted up bangs, tightly tucked in shirt and perfectly pegged pants. (this photo is not available to the public) But........ I LOVE IT. It reminds me of so many things. First of all, the picture was taken in my teacher's yard, with my OLD flute. (more memories) I also remember how excited I was to go to lessons, and how my instructor seemed to care about my musical well-being. (it's nice to be cared about) I have pages of music assignments and notes taken and thoughts I wrote down about each performance I did. Priceless.
Your assignment for this month is to carefully organize your child's notebook. You know, the one you bring to lessons each week. It's the hard-shelled 3 ringed binder with pockets. It's usually decorated by the child in whatever fashion suits them. It is full of blank paper and tabs to help separate the notes from the copies and theory sheets. It's a good notebook. Your child will love to look on it later as if looking through their grandmother's journal. It's that neat. Really.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Repetition
Once we learned a new word (when we were small), we learned to add it to our vocabulary. We just didn't speak it once and then discard it. We repeated it and still use thse words when we communicate. Students in the Suzuki method memorize a piece of music and continue to review these pieces. In doing so, they build their music vocabulary and become more fluent with their playing.
We will ALWAYS review every song in book 1. For a very, very, long time. It is a foundation that I firmly believe in.
Use your song cards, or create a check-off list, or something tangible that your child can "see" progress through the book. I know they like playing games, and I know they like coloring in circles, turning over cards, sliding beads, etc.
Parents will throw a "home concert" at the completion of book 1. I actually had Trae do this not too long ago with his book 1. He chose to have a Star Wars and Jello party. It was super fun. Of course, beside tons of JELLO and Star Wars games, we (cousins and other family) listened to him perform ALL of book 1. He had fun and felt proud.
Good Luck this week!
We will ALWAYS review every song in book 1. For a very, very, long time. It is a foundation that I firmly believe in.
Use your song cards, or create a check-off list, or something tangible that your child can "see" progress through the book. I know they like playing games, and I know they like coloring in circles, turning over cards, sliding beads, etc.
Parents will throw a "home concert" at the completion of book 1. I actually had Trae do this not too long ago with his book 1. He chose to have a Star Wars and Jello party. It was super fun. Of course, beside tons of JELLO and Star Wars games, we (cousins and other family) listened to him perform ALL of book 1. He had fun and felt proud.
Good Luck this week!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Listen Listen Listen
Some of you moms are great at making sure your child hears the music they are to learn daily, and some of you aren't so great at it. There is always "proof in the pudding" if you know what I mean. The main focus of the Suzuki method is daily listening to the Suzuki repertoire and also listening to the great masters. Children will learn more quickly and easily the pieces in the repertoire if they are able to hear how the music is spoken in their head first.
None of us would have been able to speak our first word if we had not heard it before.
We moms do a great job decorating our homes with lovely flower accents and great trinkets which give our eyes a "treat" when we see it all arranged well. How about we focus on giving our ears a treat as well? Make sure there is "musical wallpaper" in your home. Your child will benefit greatly from this.
Here are some easy ideas for making sure we get good listening in each day:
*your child needs their own CD player, ipod, or mp3 player in their room.
*put a copy of the CD in your car -- don't forget to play it softly when you are running errands with your child in the car. (great multi-tasking)
*you can get fancy and rig your cd player to the lights in a particular room of the house.
*the longer the music plays, the better your child will internalize what they need.
I've tested this, tried it, and proved it true. Moms, believe me.
How much listening should you do each day? Shoot for 2 hours per day this week and lets see what happens....
None of us would have been able to speak our first word if we had not heard it before.
We moms do a great job decorating our homes with lovely flower accents and great trinkets which give our eyes a "treat" when we see it all arranged well. How about we focus on giving our ears a treat as well? Make sure there is "musical wallpaper" in your home. Your child will benefit greatly from this.
Here are some easy ideas for making sure we get good listening in each day:
*your child needs their own CD player, ipod, or mp3 player in their room.
*put a copy of the CD in your car -- don't forget to play it softly when you are running errands with your child in the car. (great multi-tasking)
*you can get fancy and rig your cd player to the lights in a particular room of the house.
*the longer the music plays, the better your child will internalize what they need.
I've tested this, tried it, and proved it true. Moms, believe me.
How much listening should you do each day? Shoot for 2 hours per day this week and lets see what happens....
Monday, February 9, 2009
An Early Beginning
An Early Beginning:
From birth children are surrounded and immersed with the spoken language of their mother tongue. Children should also be surrounded and immersed with beautiful music. When a child reaches the age of 3 or 4, formal instruction can begin on the instrument of their choice. The early years are crucial for the development of fine motor skills, muscle coordination, and mental processes. This is one reason of why it is beneficial to begin music instruction early.
Parental Involvement:
Since the child begins instruction at an early age, the parents take on the role of "home teachers." They practice with their child at home and diligently take notes during the lessons on how to work with the child. A parent must attend every lesson and they have an important role of helping to create a desire for the child to love and nurture their music instruction. Often the parent learns how to play the instrument before the child so that they can understand what the child is expected to do.
"Where love is deep, much is accomplished." --Shinichi Suzuki
Weekly Assignment:
*Pick one special spot to use as a repetition and play a "game" with it. Clear your schedule for about 7 minutes. -No interruptions...moms. After each correct repeat, use a different word of encouragement for your child, ie; fabulous!, sensational!, wonderful!, fantastic!, tremendous!,perfect!. Say words like "try again", and "almost" for the repeats that are not quite correct. The smile on your child's face will get bigger and bigger as you use a new word each time they get it right... especially if they have never heard you use these words before. Most important--- ALWAYS keep your cool.
Good Luck! Let us all know how it goes.
From birth children are surrounded and immersed with the spoken language of their mother tongue. Children should also be surrounded and immersed with beautiful music. When a child reaches the age of 3 or 4, formal instruction can begin on the instrument of their choice. The early years are crucial for the development of fine motor skills, muscle coordination, and mental processes. This is one reason of why it is beneficial to begin music instruction early.
Parental Involvement:
Since the child begins instruction at an early age, the parents take on the role of "home teachers." They practice with their child at home and diligently take notes during the lessons on how to work with the child. A parent must attend every lesson and they have an important role of helping to create a desire for the child to love and nurture their music instruction. Often the parent learns how to play the instrument before the child so that they can understand what the child is expected to do.
"Where love is deep, much is accomplished." --Shinichi Suzuki
Weekly Assignment:
*Pick one special spot to use as a repetition and play a "game" with it. Clear your schedule for about 7 minutes. -No interruptions...moms. After each correct repeat, use a different word of encouragement for your child, ie; fabulous!, sensational!, wonderful!, fantastic!, tremendous!,perfect!. Say words like "try again", and "almost" for the repeats that are not quite correct. The smile on your child's face will get bigger and bigger as you use a new word each time they get it right... especially if they have never heard you use these words before. Most important--- ALWAYS keep your cool.
Good Luck! Let us all know how it goes.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
What is The Suzuki Method?
In a nutshell... it is an approach to learning. This method is based on the concept that musical ability is not an inborn talent, but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability. The potential of every child is unlimited. It follows the basic steps that are experienced when a child learns how to speak their native language.
Some of the basic principles and ingredients of the Suzuki method are:
1. An Early Beginning
2. Parental Involvement
3. Small Steps
4. Repetition
5. Listening
6. Postpone Music Reading until basic skills are well established
7. Learning With Other Children
8. Encouragement, and an Enjoyable Learning Environment
9. Developing the Whole Child
For the next few weeks, each new post I put on this site for you music moms will go into detail of each one.
Your assignment for the week: Use each of these expressions while practicing with your child (when appropriate):
1. "That's coming along nicely"
2. "You're very good at that"
3. "Marvelous!"
Leave a comment on this post and tell us what the reaction of your child was when you used these phrases. Please don't forget to sign your name so we know who you are. THANKS !
Some of the basic principles and ingredients of the Suzuki method are:
1. An Early Beginning
2. Parental Involvement
3. Small Steps
4. Repetition
5. Listening
6. Postpone Music Reading until basic skills are well established
7. Learning With Other Children
8. Encouragement, and an Enjoyable Learning Environment
9. Developing the Whole Child
For the next few weeks, each new post I put on this site for you music moms will go into detail of each one.
Your assignment for the week: Use each of these expressions while practicing with your child (when appropriate):
1. "That's coming along nicely"
2. "You're very good at that"
3. "Marvelous!"
Leave a comment on this post and tell us what the reaction of your child was when you used these phrases. Please don't forget to sign your name so we know who you are. THANKS !
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