I’ve been an avid journaler since before I turned 10. And at least three of the pedagogy courses I took required some form of journaling. Perhaps that’s why I made a point years ago to start a studio journal of sorts. There are probably a variety of ways one could use a studio journal, but I’ve opted to use mine to record memorable and/or humorous remarks made by students. I usually jot these down on a piece of note paper right after they occur and then transfer them over to the journal later. As I was going through some files I came across one where I had recorded a few such student remarks. Reading this one brought back such a great memory, and I thought you all would get a kick out of it, too 
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While playing his Christmas song, Luke came to one point and stopped to figure out the correct note. I was proudly observing that he appeared to be mentally working through the staff notes to figure out the correct one when I heard him say, “Hmm…what would sound good with ‘is’?”
~November, 2009
So I’m curious…do any of you keep a studio journal? What do you use it for? Do you record memorable remarks from students?
I don’t do this in my studio, but it is a good idea! I keep a personal journal and it’s hard to keep up with it. Maybe I should keep a blank book next to my piano and just record things in there. Hmmmmm…..thinking.
How ironic….I JUST last night wrote a post for my blog (to be posted in a few days) about keeping a studio journal! I use mine to keep track of good teaching ideas that I think of during lessons and such. I have always been a journal-keeper as well – love it!
I had a 5-year-old boy student and we were choosing his first Christmas recital piece. I asked him, “Would you like to play The First Noel?” He paused and looked thoughtful and then said, “How about if I play the second or the third instead?”