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 !

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 !

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 !

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.

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

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.

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 ?