UPDATE: I was just alerted (Thanks, Amy!) that the comments were turned off on this post. Oops! Apparently a setting got changed so that in all new posts comments were not enabled. You should be able to leave comments now!
If you’ve been around Music Matters Blog for a while you know that I am a huge fan of rote teaching as a vehicle for teaching students technique and artistry. Piano Safari is my absolute favorite resource in this respect! But I was thrilled when I was recently contacted by Paula Dreyer, author and composer of a new collection of rote teaching pieces called, “Little Gems for Piano.” There are two volumes, the first one is for beginners and the second one is labeled Early Intermediate. Some of the early beginner ones didn’t appeal to me very much, but the further I got in the book the more I enjoyed the sound of the pieces.
Here’s a clip of one of my favorites in Volume 1: Carnival Celebration:
In addition to utilizing rote pieces for teaching artistry and technique in general, I’ve also found that rote pieces can be a great motivator for students who struggle with vision problems or the ability to read music fluently. Rote pieces can also be an effective tool to use with students who have trouble memorizing. Because they are so patterned, it helps the students learn to recognize melodic and rhythmic motives and commit them to memory very quickly. Don’t we all like to have cool sounding pieces that we can learn quickly and easily perform by memory at a moment’s notice?!
Now, for the exciting part…Paula has generously offered to giveaway a copy of each of her “Little Gems for Piano” books to Music Matters Blog readers! We’ll be giving away one copy of each volume, so just leave a comment below for your chance to win. Two winners will be chosen using a random number generator at noon (CST) on Friday, May 13!
Amy Chaplin says
First entry! 🙂
Brenda P says
I love teaching rote pieces — the students’ reactions to an “easy, sounds hard” piece are priceless.
Rachel says
I know just the students who could use these!
Jennifer smith says
These book look great. Would love to have a copy.
Christie says
I haven’t tried rote too much with my students. This sounds like a good tool.
Barb Grout says
I really enjoyed hearing these pieces. I would love a copy!
Brenda Slocum says
I would love to check out this new material.
LadyD says
Sounds like a great tool for music artistry and technique. Thanks for the giveaway and best wishes to all!
Anna Fagan says
This looks great! Would love to use this with my students 🙂
Kerry Drombosky says
I really need to explore rote teaching- I’m hearing more about it for young students and those with reading challenges
Juanita says
I’ve got a couple of students who would really benefit from this.
Rebecca says
I love Piano Safari, so these also look great to try!
Geri says
I’m planning to do more rote teaching with my students and would love to try some of these pieces!
Kathy says
What fun! Thanks for the chance to win some sweet candy!
Wendy says
These sound great: I have also discovered the joy and value of rote pieces through Piano Safari!
Nancy Wang says
That sounds great, thank you!
Geryl says
Bet these little gems would shine brightly in my studio!
Dorothy says
I am using the EASY book with an adult student who is already an intermediate, but who is HOPELESSLY wedded to staring at those black spots on the page, AS IF THEY WERE THE MUSIC. In spite of resisting learning music this way, she is beginning to see how her brain works TOTALLY differently when learning music this way. I really think ALL students, no matter what age, should START this way, because the music is what we HEAR… and then later transfer to seeing how we write the notes on the page.
Michael Govea says
Great concept and nice sounding compositions – would love to get a copy to study.
Elyse says
I have also generally avoided rote methods but I would love to be included in the drawing and see how it might work in my studio!
Lisa Smith says
This looks wonderful. Really appreciate the chance to win a copy.
Susan Ticknor says
What creative and worthwhile pieces! Thank you for the giveaway, Natalie!
~Susan T
Debbie Christenesn says
Beautiful music–thank you for sharing info about it.
Laurie Smith says
These are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Julie Ingermanson says
I’m always looking for new repertoire for my newer students. Especially as I have younger siblings start lessons & don’t want the parents to listen to the same songs for each sibling.
Loraine says
I would love to win this copy, great to introduce this to my adult beginner students.
Yvonne Quinn-Chittle says
Sounds great-I’m always looking for new material!
Irma Khouw says
I love rote pieces. This is great book. I have an early elementary student who would enjoy this. Thank you for the opportunity.
Amy Kendall says
I am always on the lookout for new “gems” that will spark an interest in my piano students! Each student is unique so I have to be aware of all new music so I can match the students to the types of music they like most.
Julie Martin says
I love this idea and loved the video. I am very interested in using these with my students.
Marla mosiman says
I would like to try this!
Alondra McEldowney says
Would LOVE a copy!!
Joy Shreckengost says
I would love to try this out with my beginners.
Donaldson says
I’m also using rote pieces for teaching piano. It’s really perfect tool to help students learn music easily
Lynda broadbent says
I love rote teaching. I’m sure I would love to teach out of these books.