Songbird Piano Lessons

 This week, I'd like to share a few Christmas quotes I found online (one from  The Pioneer Woman's website  -- I know her brand has nothing to do with music, but I love her gorgeous cookware line. Random thing). I had hoped to find something that could be tied with  the real meaning of Christmas  and music, but as I didn't, we'll stick with priorities for today. ;)

 Leggiero Lightly

  OK, everyone! I know this post came out earlier in the week than normal, but with recital day coming up fast, I wanted you to get a chance to go over this ahead of time!  On Friday or Saturday before the recital, flag your books! Put a sticky note on the page with the song you are playing, so you can flip to it easily and quickly at the recital! If you have loose sheet music, make sure you have it with you (preferably in a binder and flagged, or glued to a piece of cardboard). If you're playing from a book, and you have a page turn and haven't memorized the second page, get your mom or dad to photocopy pages so you don't have to do a page turn. Unless, of course, you've already talked with me about having me turn your pages for you. (This does not apply if you're playing from memory, though it won't hurt to bring your books along anyways even if you're not planning on using them.) Does it make you nervous to play in front of people? If so, that's OK --...

  All right, piano parents! Recital time is just around the corner, and it's your budding musician's time to shine!     It's a busy time of year, I know. But please take a minute to read this so you can help your young pianists to really shine their best  at the upcoming recital. :)       I know you're probably going to think this is obvious... but please make sure your child is practicing. It's not going to help their confidence if they lollygag about practice until the day before the recital. It's one of those times when it's perfectly OK to be the mean mom (or dad). Trust me, it will be worth it.      Make sure you and your family arrive at the church on time (a few minutes before 2:30 P.M.). Check the address ahead of time, so you know where you're going!       Please be respectful of church property while we are there, and remind your children not to run in the sanctuary, play with things in the church,...

 As we wrap up Composer Month, I'll admit, I learned some interesting things that I didn't know before.     Today's not a recap on anything. Winners will be announced next week. And I'm not giving you any particularly deep thoughts. But there was one moment, one heart-touching moment, in the month that I'd like to share with you -- and I might give you some other random thoughts, too.    A student who struggles with stage fright was assigned to the Tchaikovsky team. One week, her facts included the following two: Tchaikovsky struggled with stage fright, and Tchaikovsky conducted one of his own pieces on the opening night of -- get this -- Carnegie Hall.    We then went on to talk about the upcoming Christmas recital, a conversation that brought a frown to her face. I saw a teaching opportunity here, and I reminded her of her own facts she'd brought in: that Tchaikovsky was also afraid. But he didn't let that stop him. He still conducted at this bi...

 Moderato At a medium tempo (speed).