Music which remains Beautiful

Minuet in G ( From Anna Magdalena Notebook BWV Anh116 ) Many musicians would have ever played this minuet. It is a piece which is not strange to most people too. During one lesson, this piece seems easy for the student for he has heard it frequently. Knowing the music does make learning it easier. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acFIQsSFNA4

No excuse for the one year's absence !!!

Have we been so occupied in that we find it inexcusable to be absent for one year ? 

Indeed much is happening since last June. 

Noah's Music Ark has been introduced to a new music education which has brought much changes to the studio as well as to the lessons. More actions , movements and exciting music had been playing during our lessons. 

A major shift from learning music through notations to experiencing music in movements, singing, imagination, vibrant toys and tools , fantastic music accompaniment and much more creativity is in the pipeline . 

All in all, teachers found interesting ways to approach music teaching and many students had as a result had much fun in learning through the wonderful experiencing approach . 

Photo shows Sarah who has been wonderfully enjoying music learning and playing with the new music education. Have fun Sarah ! 

Examinations Blues

Practical examinations this year starts in July . June school holidays will be maximize for students to perfect their performance as much as possible .  

Lessons may not end on time for the time being. Though teacher will be stretched, but let it be worthwhile ! 

Practical matters matter !

Reflecting on practical matters for students learning to play the piano.

Having fun is one of my top priorities. Student can engage better when it is fun ! Teacher can deliver the lesson better too.

As much as possible, I desire to see something new in every lesson! New focus, new note, new music, new interpretation , new technique ... Staleness is suffocating. Bring on the newsssssss !

Practical experience is one area which I am shifting the equilibrium towards. Instead of assigning assignments to be practiced , more focus are geared towards practicing during lessons. Though some time may be spent on one area, but the results can be far fetched rewardingly positive. Students could more likely "grasped " the technique rather than takeaway just a concept to be
experimented on their own.

Confidence and enjoyment came along with the successful music making. Motivation is a result. Naturally the student may likely play more at home rather than giving up or even putting off the difficulty till tomorrow and tomorrow and the tomorrow became the next lesson.

Simple Learning Materials

Simple materials from Daiso. The strips, magnetic sheets and magnetic notes all found and bought from IMM Daiso .

A Thousand Years

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 .

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 .