Comments for Music Matters Blog

Comment on Two Years of Masterclasses at Your Fingertips! by Lorraine Pantaleo

Lorraine Pantaleo — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:53:13 +0000

I have been a Sonata camper for years and these videos are
most welcome as a tool and reminder of what it is like to be
in one or watching one of Polly’s classes live. She is truly
an amazing teacher.

lhp

Comment on Two Years of Masterclasses at Your Fingertips! by Polly van der Linde

Polly van der Linde — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:04:19 +0000

Thank you for suggesting these videos on your blog! I post these precisely for their educational value. Most of the participants who come to Sonata Piano Camps (they’re held every month, as the summer weeks are for kids) are amateur adult pianists, who have either come back to piano after a long hiatus or have been playing for a short number of years. We will continue to archive these videos as more and more get added. I’m happy to answer any questions at piano@sonatina.com Best, Polly van der Linde

Comment on Monday Mailbag – Year-End Evaluations by Cindy

Cindy — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:36:07 +0000

I’ve used an evaluation form for years that has evolved from the form my own children’s teacher used to use. Similar to yours with the 1 – 5′s but with more categories. I’d love to share it but not sure how (a real website may be this summer’s project!).

At the last lesson, I have my students fill out the same form I use. I keep theirs and don’t peek at them until after I fill out mine. Then I compare and send them both in the mail with the updated policy and registration form. I also save all previous years evals. on my computer so I can easily view them. That helps a lot.

Comment on Year-End Evaluation Forms for Piano Students by stephen fowler

stephen fowler — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:17:02 +0000

Thank you very much for posting these evaluation forms , they are great help with my teaching assignments
many thanks
Stephen

Comment on Monday Mailbag – Year-End Evaluations by Chrissa ~ a tad bit creative

Chrissa ~ a tad bit creative — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:39:25 +0000

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing that – I hadn’t thought of evaluations but I think I might do that now!

Comment on Monday Mailbag – Year-End Evaluations by Mikaela

Mikaela — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:41:24 +0000

What’s been most helpful to me is your brilliant idea! I’ve been doing these evaluations for three years, now, and have never looked back. I’ve based mine off of an old version of yours, and I just incorporated some of your new ideas into mine. But a few additional things I also ask for on the Parent Questionnaire:
1) current email (some people change theirs, or change the one they use most without notifying me)
2) the parent’s evaluation of the child’s learning style
3) “Do you think your child needs either a stricter or a gentler approach in lessons? Please explain.”

Comment on Inspiration and Practical Tips for Parents and Teachers Working with Young Children at the Piano by Carlinton

Carlinton — Sat, 19 May 2012 16:03:26 +0000

The video is really great and it is really an inspiration. My youngest piano student is five years old. I have never taught younger kids. I like the methods used in the video.

Great Video!

Comment on Inspiration and Practical Tips for Parents and Teachers Working with Young Children at the Piano by Mikaela

Mikaela — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:51:32 +0000

I started my youngest piano student ever last fall–a 4 year old (now 5), and it has been a great experience for both of us. My Suzuki experience/training in violin has definitely helped the process too. Thanks for sharing this resource–I look forward to checking it out.

Comment on Create Your Own Music Worksheets Using Music Fonts by Joy Morin

Joy Morin — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:42:14 +0000

Thanks for the link, Natalie!

Comment on CD Recording Made Easy by Dorothy

Dorothy — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:56:58 +0000

I have a clavinova CVP503 which has a USB port. When I record and save to the USB device and play the file on my computer there is a lot of distortion and the piano sounds “clunky”.