One of the areas that I am constantly aware of need for improvement in my studio is playing with a sense of pulse. We’ve spent an entire month highlighting just this aspect of playing, but I realize that it needs to be a part of every lesson. Instrumental students definitely have an advantage in learning […]
Music Memory Online Game
When I was putting together some links for on-line listening games for my students this year, I came across this fun Music Memory game! It’s a different way of approaching melodic dictation, but I think it’s fun (and addicting!). There’s also a great Pattern Memory game that seems good for building visual pattern recognition.
Rethinking Competitions
I’ve never been a competition teacher. Whether it’s because I never participated in competitions growing up or because of some of the negative aspects I’ve observed in those who compete, I just haven’t seen them as having much value. But thanks, in part, to a workshop I attended this past summer at our state conference, […]
New Suzuki Violin Recordings and Giveaway!
Early on in my teaching, I began hearing about the Suzuki method. I did some preliminary research and was fascinated by the concept and approach. So, I decided to go a step further and went to a Suzuki Institute. What an incredible experience! Even though I ultimately decided to adopt a more traditional approach for […]
Monday Mailbag – Finger Strengthening
I have a young student with whom I’ve been working on strengthening his fingers. I thought that Hanon exercises may help, but I’m increasingly finding that he is very tense – shoulders, elbows, wrists, and all! And that is really interfering with his progress. Do you have any recommendations? It is such a challenge to […]
An Easy Way to Explain Monthly Tuition
When I first started teaching about 12 years ago I charged for lessons the only way I knew how – per lesson. It soon became apparent that this arrangement would not work for me long-term. Attendance at lessons was too sporadic, bookkeeping was a headache, and my monthly income was unpredictable. Eventually I settled on […]
