Nothing but Net

By Jason, on May 30th, 2011%
darts

Sorry it’s been awhile, but the semester’s recitals are over, so let the writing resume!  Let’s talk about accuracy:

Let’s face it, accurate playing is important.  And let’s be honest, when we tell students “the audience didn’t notice,” we’re lying.  Big time.  Audiences DO notice!  They might not recognize that a particular note was . . . → Read More: Nothing but Net

3 comments - (Comments are closed)   Pedagogy, Practicing, Technique   , , , ,  

Toilet Paper Dynamics

By Jason, on February 22nd, 2010%

Back in my idealistic student days, there was something of a movement going on in pedagogy where teachers were defining “piano” as “quiet” instead of “soft.”  The idea made good academic sense – forte meant loud, and the opposite of loud is quiet, so we started using “loud” and “quiet” instead of “loud” and “soft.”

. . . → Read More: Toilet Paper Dynamics

2 comments - (Comments are closed)   Pedagogy, Thoughts   , , ,  

The Real Benefits of Piano Study

By Jason, on January 5th, 2010%

Okay, I have to get this off my chest.  For years now, we’ve all been reading about how piano lessons benefit children.  There are plenty of lists that describe the benefits of music study, and MENC even has a database to help music teachers convince their administrators to give them the resources they need to . . . → Read More: The Real Benefits of Piano Study

5 comments - (Comments are closed)   Thoughts   , , ,  

DIY In-service Part 7, Give them the Pencil

By Jason, on October 26th, 2009%

This one is self-explanatory.  Hand the pencil over to your students and make them do the writing.  It sounds inconsequential, but it’s amazing what a difference it makes when the words on a student’s music and assignment sheet are written by them.  It helps give students a sense of ownership over their studies.  They magically . . . → Read More: DIY In-service Part 7, Give them the Pencil

2 comments - (Comments are closed)   Motivation, Practicing, Thoughts   , , , ,  

DIY In-service Part 6, Practice the Easy Stuff

By Jason, on October 22nd, 2009%

Let’s face it, we rarely have time to practice enough, and most of the music we give our students is well below our own performance level.  But, even if you can play circles around Beethoven Op. 110, spend some time and really practice the F major sonatina you plan to teach that day.  Make it . . . → Read More: DIY In-service Part 6, Practice the Easy Stuff

Comments are closed   Motivation, Pedagogy, Practicing   , , , , ,