Songbird Piano Lessons

   It is a fact that Easter eggs were never really a thing at our house growing up. As a Christian family, our primary focus at Easter was  our Saviour's death and resurrection.  We, along with some friends, did a Resurrection Egg hunt once. That was both fun and meaningful. And, like many other grandmas everywhere, ours made sure there was always a candy bag for each of her grandchildren when we made it to her place for Easter. Those miniature gift bags held way more candy than a plastic egg would have!     Nevertheless, as far as teaching goes, plastic eggs make great teaching tools. Especially split in half and labelled with masking tape or permanent marker.     You can use the halves to build scales.     And  Wunderkeys's  note-reading slide puzzle is designed to be used with these colourful eggshells.     Meanwhile,  this worksheet  didn't requ...

 Meno Mosso Slower (less movement)

 I remember in Grade 6 piano, choosing my exam pieces. And then, after the decisions were made, my teacher informed me that my Grade 6 book was out-of-date and one of the pieces we'd picked was no longer on the Syllabus. No matter. She put it down as a Teacher's Choice, and on we went.    Later, as a music teacher, I was at  Innovations Music , buying books, and the person who served me was complaining about the fact that RCM changed their syllabus and thus their books every 5 years, and then they always wound up with outdated books that no one would buy. They had a shelf labelled "50% off" of just such books.     The point?    It's not to boycott Celebration Series. Not only is that impossible for serious music studies if you're going with the Royal Conservatory of Music, but it's also highly impractical. I mean, I did think over the last two years, "Why do I need to make my students' parents buy these books if their kids aren't going to be ...

 Agitato Agitated

 Good Friday, the day we commemorate history's darkest day, is good...  … because it is through the cross that we know just how much God loves us.     Enjoy the following music video, and God bless as you celebrate Christ's sacrifice and triumph!

 Prestissimo As fast as possible

 As you may recall,  Mrs. A  (not her real initial, first or last) was my piano teacher for a good chunk of my preteen and teen years. She was and is also our church's main pianist. Therefore, you can imagine, church music was an important part of her lesson planning. The first time she made arrangements for me and a couple of her other students to each take a number in Sunday's service was probably when I was about 11 (give or take).    This was a good thing, because taking a melody and arranging a left-hand accompaniment for it is not a required course in the Royal Conservatory of Music. However, it is an important skill, one I may not have learned well under my other teachers, despite their impressive credentials and skill.    When  Mr. B  and his wife moved away, Mrs. A was left as the only pianist. Several young people in my peers group were qualified pianists. Who would fill Mr. B's spot? As it turns out, we all did. Over time, everybod...

 A tempo Return to your first speed

 Scherzando Playful