Students, Making Mistakes is a Good Sign!
All right, music students, this week's post is for you. Go on, make mistakes, and have fun knowing you tried something new!
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My Story: Inspired
Last time I wrote a 'My Story' post , I mentioned how Mr. B's free-structured recital plan did not set well with me. I would not be doing Mr. B. justice if I left it at that. He was one of the key musical influencers in my journey. Up until the time he began to play piano for church, I had drudged along in piano -- a typical, uninspired child who grumbled about practice. (I'm so glad Mom didn't let me quit in those days!) I had always loved to listen to music. I loved it when some of the young adults in our church would give a spontaneous, post-fellowship-lunch concert for us. I loved it when Mom would pop a classical CD into the player, and she and I would invent a story to go with each song on our way to the grocery store. I just didn't like to play piano myself. I can't pinpoint the day, the moment, or the hymn number when that changed. I just know that it gradually began to change as I listened to Mr. B. playing in my early teens. I guess it o
Happy Thanksgiving!
"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 🍁🍂
And the jungle came to the studio!
Back-to-piano was anything but mild. In fact, it was a little on the wild side. Readers, welcome to the jungle. (Fellow music teachers, helpful hint: If you're planning to throw a jungle theme, don't go shopping for plastic animals brand-new. Head to Value Village or Goodwill or some other thrift store. I got two bags of second-hand animals for two dollars less than that brand-new cheetah cost me. Bugs and snakes and everything.) (I even found one bag that had a plastic Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon in it. But I didn't get that bag. I was tempted, though. 😝) Students helped the cheetah from the table to its home on top of the piano by correctly identifying the note/symbol on each flashcard along the path for first week reviews. Animals helped young ones discover musical artistry in my homemade 'Hands and Sounds' game. Students rolled a dice to get a specific set of directions regarding hand techn