Playing music Can be fun especially when one likes the music .
I used to search for pop music books, broadway and Disney to play. Unlike the accessibility of information today, I had to use my pocket money. I am glad that playing all those music kept me on in my music path.
A Thousand Years is one of those familiar music playing in our studio now. Some play from the music scores while some play chords and sang along.
We could learn chords, arpeggios, chord progressions, harmony, improvisation etc
Best of it is we can have fun while learning .
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Away from the Keyboard
I can't imagine myself teaching without the whiteboard.
A student was sight reading a piece of music. To help him with the rhythm, we drew the rhythm of the first four bars onto the white board. Together with another student, they learn how to clap and chant the note name.
After the rhythm was comprehended, we progressed to creating new rhythm for each other to clap.
Such teaching activities do not need to be derived from books. They should be at the fingertips of the teacher. Including such activities in lesson plans would be a good practice .
A student was sight reading a piece of music. To help him with the rhythm, we drew the rhythm of the first four bars onto the white board. Together with another student, they learn how to clap and chant the note name.
After the rhythm was comprehended, we progressed to creating new rhythm for each other to clap.
Such teaching activities do not need to be derived from books. They should be at the fingertips of the teacher. Including such activities in lesson plans would be a good practice .
Honey , Chicken
Students played Carefree Waltz with an error in the rhythm. A minim and a crotchet were played as crotchet then minim.
Honey was used to pronounce in rhythm of minim then crotchet.
Chicken was pronounced in rhythm of crotchet then minim.
The error was corrected in the most yummy way !
Honey was used to pronounce in rhythm of minim then crotchet.
Chicken was pronounced in rhythm of crotchet then minim.
The error was corrected in the most yummy way !
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Scales ladder - create your own teaching materials
Wonderful to see Wenen again after a week's break.
Instead of relying on printed materials in teaching, it is interesting to create your own.
On a blank piece of paper, this student drew a ladder with eight steps. On the right side of the ladder, I wrote 12312345( fingerings for right hand C major scales) . The same was done on the other side for the left hand.
Then I guide him through playing the keys, paying special attention to bring the thumb under the finger three.
This is just one way of engaging the student. Personalised material and done with no frills. Just paper and colours.
Student enjoyed while learning scales theoretically and practically. I enjoyed the teaching .
Well done !
Instead of relying on printed materials in teaching, it is interesting to create your own.
On a blank piece of paper, this student drew a ladder with eight steps. On the right side of the ladder, I wrote 12312345( fingerings for right hand C major scales) . The same was done on the other side for the left hand.
Then I guide him through playing the keys, paying special attention to bring the thumb under the finger three.
This is just one way of engaging the student. Personalised material and done with no frills. Just paper and colours.
Student enjoyed while learning scales theoretically and practically. I enjoyed the teaching .
Well done !
Monday, October 1, 2012
Toy Piano
Found a website which markets some toy piano. Looks adorable and definitely suits the little toddlers and little hands.
It would be nice to get some but it is definitely too expensive. I remembered I used to play something similar when I was a kid. Most likely those were made in China. Search begins !
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Keyboard Geography
When I started piano lessons with Ms Loh, I remembered much writing to learn musical signs, notations etc . Even drawing the white and black keys.
I have not impose much writing. Instead reinforcing as we go through the lessons . Only for certain students who really require more writing to grasp how the sign goes .
Drawing the keyboard often was one way I know the keyboard well . Finger positions have helped putting fingers in place.
During today's lesson, my student play scales with deliberate positioning of fingers on the respective keys. Feeling how the fingers sit on the keys is important.
There are plenty ways to ensure students has a good keyboard geography. Methods should be explored and time should be taken to achieve this.
I have not impose much writing. Instead reinforcing as we go through the lessons . Only for certain students who really require more writing to grasp how the sign goes .
Drawing the keyboard often was one way I know the keyboard well . Finger positions have helped putting fingers in place.
During today's lesson, my student play scales with deliberate positioning of fingers on the respective keys. Feeling how the fingers sit on the keys is important.
There are plenty ways to ensure students has a good keyboard geography. Methods should be explored and time should be taken to achieve this.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Minuet in G ( Anna Magdalena Notebook )
Almost everyone plays this on their instruments ?
What is your say ?
Listen at www.makingmusicfun.net or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on1DDSLdDOo&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Love,
Baroque Fans
What is your say ?
Listen at www.makingmusicfun.net or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on1DDSLdDOo&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Love,
Baroque Fans
Melody Shaping
Dominic was showing understanding and effectively played the phrase with dynamics shading. Well done ! Moments like that are like receiving distinctions.
Raedan composed a music today. He intiated it. Glad that exposing children to composition has sown the seed to the small harvest.
Teaching is just so rewarding. Sowing into lives makes the work meaningful.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Know your Music, Know your friend
I was trying out the new ABRSM syllabus pieces. And I realised this. The music appeals to me as I took time to play it. Getting to know a friend takes time, it took time for me to develop friendship with each new "music-friend " .
Which friend are you playing with today ?
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Count On Me
While introducing the simple chords progression in the NDP Song Home, Eugene shared Count On Me by Brunos Mars.
Lively happy music with good lyrics.
This sparked off the playing of this piece by quite a few.Jiazhi, Haiyun, Eugene, Ranen playing by ear with great enjoyment and a sense of satisfaction.Interests and passion is the best intrinsic motivation.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Every student is a Musician and Composer
This week, I am glad that two music compositions by two young musicians were written.
"The Bus" and "A Peaceful Night" were written by two different students.
Both students were elated when signing their name at the completion of their master pieces.
Composing is essential in music learning. It helps student to apply the theory they have learnt into a very practical and yet creative use. As they play the keys, they are training their ears while relating to the written form of music. As they add the final touch of adding dynamic markings, articulations, performance directions etc, they have cultivated the awareness of the performance details which brings the music to life.
Every student is a musician and composer. Encore !
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Thoughts of a Friend
I was playing the keyboard this morning, improvising with some suggested chords which I have not tried.
Thoughts of a friend then inspired a new composition which sparks off from Joaquin Rodrigo.
Just like Schubert was influenced by Mozart in one of his Symphony, I was swept along by the ripples of Rodrigo's Pastoral .
Ride on the waves everyone :)
Thoughts of a friend then inspired a new composition which sparks off from Joaquin Rodrigo.
Just like Schubert was influenced by Mozart in one of his Symphony, I was swept along by the ripples of Rodrigo's Pastoral .
Ride on the waves everyone :)
A Morning with Schubert
From Wikipedia .......
Franz Peter Schubert (German pronunciation: [ˈfʁants ˈʃuːbɛɐ̯t]; 31 January 1797 – 19 November 1828) was an Austrian composer.
Franz Schubert's Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, D. 485, was written mainly in September, 1816 and completed on October 3, 1816[1]. It was finished six months after the completion of his previous symphony.
Scored for one flute, two oboes, and two bassoons, along with two horns in B♭ and E♭ and strings. Of all of Schubert's symphonies, it is scored for the smallest orchestra. It is the only one of his symphonies which does not include clarinets, trumpets or timpani as part of the instrumentation.
In character, the writing is often said to resemble Mozart; Schubert was infatuated with the composer at the time he composed it, writing in his diary on June 13 of the year of composition, "O Mozart! immortal Mozart! what countless impressions of a brighter, better life hast thou stamped upon our souls!"[2] This is reflected particularly in the lighter instrumentation, as noted above. Indeed, the instrumentation matches that of the first version (without clarinets) of Mozart's 40th symphony.[3]
Franz Peter Schubert (German pronunciation: [ˈfʁants ˈʃuːbɛɐ̯t]; 31 January 1797 – 19 November 1828) was an Austrian composer.
Franz Schubert's Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, D. 485, was written mainly in September, 1816 and completed on October 3, 1816[1]. It was finished six months after the completion of his previous symphony.
Scored for one flute, two oboes, and two bassoons, along with two horns in B♭ and E♭ and strings. Of all of Schubert's symphonies, it is scored for the smallest orchestra. It is the only one of his symphonies which does not include clarinets, trumpets or timpani as part of the instrumentation.
In character, the writing is often said to resemble Mozart; Schubert was infatuated with the composer at the time he composed it, writing in his diary on June 13 of the year of composition, "O Mozart! immortal Mozart! what countless impressions of a brighter, better life hast thou stamped upon our souls!"[2] This is reflected particularly in the lighter instrumentation, as noted above. Indeed, the instrumentation matches that of the first version (without clarinets) of Mozart's 40th symphony.[3]
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Colorful magnets Help Arpeggio Learning
Multi Purpose !
Place these colour magnets on the keys of the arpeggio this student is trying to perfect .
I would use those tiny dinosaurs erasers for younger students !
Place these colour magnets on the keys of the arpeggio this student is trying to perfect .
I would use those tiny dinosaurs erasers for younger students !
Fun aural exam
I played a simple two bar phrase for two students. Student A is supposed to play back the phrase. He played a little incorrect.
Student B was asked to identify the difference between student A and my playing . He did that and enjoyed the session .
The aural exam was not so uninteresting after all .
Student B was asked to identify the difference between student A and my playing . He did that and enjoyed the session .
The aural exam was not so uninteresting after all .
Thursday, July 12, 2012
A Rewarding Day
Though this particular student will be terminating in two weeks' time to focus on a gifted programme test, we are having good quality lessons. Going though the last phrase of the section A of Minuet in G was done effectively with single line focus at a slower pace. Notation reading is guided with steps, skips and intervals. Some demonstrations definitely work better for him. We had sometime to discuss the pieces he wish to play. He chose Schumann's Wild Horsemen and Beethoven's Sonatina. I am happy that not only he has listened to the attached CD , but has also discovered music that he likes. Music is fun when is liked.
Towards the end of Samuel's lessons, we have figure out the melodies of two worship songs he could play. One was by reading the letters of the notations while the other by ear. He felt inspired being able to play these familiar tunes. I feel great that he enjoyed the lesson which has gave him the opportunity to learn music theory, aural, reading, coordination, pulse .... Looking forward to more momorable moments with little musicians :)
Towards the end of Samuel's lessons, we have figure out the melodies of two worship songs he could play. One was by reading the letters of the notations while the other by ear. He felt inspired being able to play these familiar tunes. I feel great that he enjoyed the lesson which has gave him the opportunity to learn music theory, aural, reading, coordination, pulse .... Looking forward to more momorable moments with little musicians :)
Monday, July 9, 2012
Everyday is new
Everyday is a new day. Everyday can be fun, interesting and full of discoveries.
Chin played Howard Blake's Prelude beautifully to sweep me off . His other music seems very magnetising too.
It daunts on me that life can be interesting like music. Discovers beauties after beauties each day .
Put on the eyes and ears and heart to new beauties of everyday
Chin played Howard Blake's Prelude beautifully to sweep me off . His other music seems very magnetising too.
It daunts on me that life can be interesting like music. Discovers beauties after beauties each day .
Put on the eyes and ears and heart to new beauties of everyday
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Have a Nice Day ...
Starting the week with ...
Chopin's Wiosna...
Elissa Milne's Have a Nice Day ...
Pam Wedgewood 's Pink Lady ...
Let the day start musically ...
Chopin's Wiosna...
Elissa Milne's Have a Nice Day ...
Pam Wedgewood 's Pink Lady ...
Let the day start musically ...
Monday, June 25, 2012
June music concert
A Saturday evening when Students performed their choice music. Most students were well prepared with a few outstanding performance .
Having a casual concert provides a platform for student to practice confident performing. Students are exposed to the different music that other fellow students are playing.
Well done everyone !
Having a casual concert provides a platform for student to practice confident performing. Students are exposed to the different music that other fellow students are playing.
Well done everyone !
New Semester
Scales with Xuanhui was introduced with the duets arrangement . Her choices of pieces are the lively English Dance, The Sad Song and The Stroll. One of my preferred piece for this grade is Karen Tanaka's Northern Lights.
Xuanhui has completed her Yamaha grade 7 and moving onto the grade 6. Well done gal !
Xuanhui has completed her Yamaha grade 7 and moving onto the grade 6. Well done gal !
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Fun Ensemble 5th June 2012
Playing "Come Fly" in 4 parts was a new experience for this group of young musicians.
Each was guided through their music individually. Two parts were played together each time and everyone listened to the various parts before a four parts ensemble was practised. We took four practices before the ensemble was more in unison pulse, and thanks to Dominic who kept on counting every beat loudly as the ensemble played.
It is great to see they are motivated to play and felt so happy and satisfied at the end of the session.
Each was guided through their music individually. Two parts were played together each time and everyone listened to the various parts before a four parts ensemble was practised. We took four practices before the ensemble was more in unison pulse, and thanks to Dominic who kept on counting every beat loudly as the ensemble played.
It is great to see they are motivated to play and felt so happy and satisfied at the end of the session.
Straw flute
6th June 2012
Using plastic straws, we trimmed them according to pitch and invented a F-sharp major Straw Flute !
Everyone was thrilled and excited. We blew through each straw and cut off small section of straw to get the right pitch of the scales. This really required listening attentively especially the sound produced was quite soft.
As we go through the tetra chords in the scales , we realised wherever a semitones is needed between the third to fourth and the seventh to tonic, the latter straw is only slightly shorter.
A fun hands on session which students learn about F - sharp major.
Just a pity we didn't take a picture of the group with their new inventions !
Using plastic straws, we trimmed them according to pitch and invented a F-sharp major Straw Flute !
Everyone was thrilled and excited. We blew through each straw and cut off small section of straw to get the right pitch of the scales. This really required listening attentively especially the sound produced was quite soft.
As we go through the tetra chords in the scales , we realised wherever a semitones is needed between the third to fourth and the seventh to tonic, the latter straw is only slightly shorter.
A fun hands on session which students learn about F - sharp major.
Just a pity we didn't take a picture of the group with their new inventions !
Monday, June 4, 2012
Ensemble at the Studio
Five lower grade students are coming together for an exciting musical experience today .
Each time they come together in a bigger group like today, they have learn and experience interesting different music.
"Come Fly" from the Alfred's Ensemble is on the list today. This will be the highlight for our June music concert.
Have fun everyone !
Each time they come together in a bigger group like today, they have learn and experience interesting different music.
"Come Fly" from the Alfred's Ensemble is on the list today. This will be the highlight for our June music concert.
Have fun everyone !
Sunday, June 3, 2012
National Child Education Conference & Exhibition
Development of both the left and right brain..... It should be the whole brain !!
Visual- spatial development ....
Auditory processing .... :0
Visual- spatial development ....
Auditory processing .... :0
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Threesome Fun
Li Cheng and I were playing a duet this morning while Dominic claps the pulse! It was fun and a good lesson on pulse for Dominic while LiCheng kept the music going! Well done !
Sunday, April 29, 2012
School Exam Period
With mid year examinations around the corner, playing some simple music can help one to relax. Taking minds off the examination preparations is helpful.
Some websites where you may find simple favourite music to play :
www.makingmusicfun.net
www.gmajormusictheory.org
www.classicsforkids.com
Don't forget to go back to your revision. All the best ! Cheers !
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Legato and staccato
What are some things around that describe legato ?
And what are those that sounds like staccato ?
And what are those that sounds like staccato ?
Saturday, January 7, 2012
2012 - A New Start
After months of reading, learning, planning and even actualizing, we have finally come to a new start to begin our new adventures in music. With the new implementation of partnerning and grouping in music lessons, there is going to be great excitement and momentum in our journey.
This new journey has a new itinerary every week. To embark on something new each week, yet not wanting to neglect any unsettled topic will be a challenge. The balance of the two will be a challenge but yet flexibility will help each student to be able to move on as well as the rest of the others.
New start of the year, not only will there be new adventures but also new breathtaking results and great satisfaction.
This new journey has a new itinerary every week. To embark on something new each week, yet not wanting to neglect any unsettled topic will be a challenge. The balance of the two will be a challenge but yet flexibility will help each student to be able to move on as well as the rest of the others.
New start of the year, not only will there be new adventures but also new breathtaking results and great satisfaction.
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