Piano Trivia

Here is a little piano trivia to get your morning started...

What instrument family is the piano part of?

Percussion. The piano is usually considered a part of the percussion family because it uses a hammer to hit the strings which makes the noise you hear. Brass instruments include the trumpet and trombone. The woodwinds include the clarinet, saxophone, and flute. String instruments include the violin and guitar.

Piano Adventures

This post is especially for the families of students who study the piano with me and use the Piano Adventures Series by Randy and Nancy Faber.  Do you want to know more about the lesson books that your child is using?  Do you want to want to learn about the authors?  Would you like to see what other books your student could be using to supplement their current curriculum? Do you want to find games and other activities that your child could do to supplement his or her lesson?

If you answered "yes", to any of the above questions or want to learn more, check out this link.

http://pianoadventures.com/

Have a terrific day!

The history of the piano

The first piano was built as early as 1694 and was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori of Padua, Italy. The three pianos built by Cristofori that survive today date from the 1720s. The piano replaced the harpsichord as the most popular keyboard instrument of the Romantic era. The piano was first referred to as a pianoforte which means soft (piano) loud (forte) instrument. It was named the pianoforte because, unlike the harpsichord, it allowed the player to control the degree of loudness and softness of a note by the way he/she would strike a key.

Miss Lydia

I am looking forward to welcoming Miss Lydia to our Note-worthy Experiences Piano Family next week! 

Music is Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!  Enjoy the day with those that you love!  Be creative and play your Valentine a song!

My new favorite post...

Memoirs from students

Hello!

We have survived our first major New England Snow Storm!  Nemo found us!  Nemo gave us 25 - 28.5 inches of beautiful, white, fluffy snow!  This storm is listed as the 5th biggest storm in the record books!  The New Englanders all say that this was a "Wicked Good Storm!"

While my family was watching yet another movie, I decided to re organize my student files.  I organized 7 years of forms, signed copies of studio guidelines, written assignments, letters, photos, art work, and cards from the 139 students I have worked with.  Yes, I have saved every single piece of artwork and letter from every student.  It was a very fun trip down memory lane.  I loved comparing the photos and notes from when students first started lessons to when I moved away.  It was astonishing to see the improvements in the hand writing and the goals change. Tom and my kids enjoyed looking at the cards, letters and photos too!
When my family asked how long I was going to keep these files, I responded, "FOREVAH!"  (this is my terrible attempt to spell out the New England accent that I absolutely love hearing!) 

Do you want to know what the most interesting discovery in my trip down memory lane was?
The fact that I do not have any letters, or written goals from my own two children.  I don't even have them on my roster!  OOPS!

Snow day in New England

It is a beautiful snowy day in New England!  We are anxiously awaiting a potentially historical storm. 

A few days of being stuck inside could be challenging for some families.  However, I have a recommendation that can ease the stress of a big storm.  I have a recommendation on what to do when everyone comes back inside from playing in the snow (or shoveling snow) and everyone needs to warm up.

Are you ready for my big recommendation?

Wait for it...

PRACTICE THE PIANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you have a piano - you don't even need electricity!  You can use a candle or lantern to read your music!

I am already excited to hear all about how everyone practiced away and improved over the long snowy weekend!

Four Reasons Music Is Important!

From the blog "Along Came Music"...

Plato said music “is a more potent instrument than any other for education.”

Participating in musical activities provides unique opportunities for literacy preparation. Under the direction of a teacher, playing an instrument or singing music teaches students about sequential learning which is essential in reading comprehension. It is also learning to hear in new ways and exercising their listening skills. Recent research has found that music is valuable in all areas of a child’s development since it uses both sides of the brain.
ACADEMICS:

• A University of California study found that music trains the brain for higher forms of thinking. Music lessons were given to second graders and they scored 27% higher on proportional math and fraction tests than children whom did not receive music lessons.
• Research has shown that musical instruction permanently trains the young mind for enhanced learning.
• Some people feel the aboves reason are the primary incentives for providing music lessons to their children.

PHYSICAL:

• Singing and learning rhythm develops coordination.
• Air and wind power needed to blow a flute, trumpet, saxohone, etc. promotes a healthy body.

EMOTIONAL:

• Music is an art form allowing us an artistic outlet for our emotions.
• Music is a vehicle of expression.

MUSIC IS FOR LIFE:

• Many sports can’t be played after a certain age but we can sing forever!
• We can play the piano or other instruments as long as our body lets us!

Music is  a gift we can give that lasts our entire life!

Superbowl Thoughts

Some people watch the Superbowl to cheer for their favorite team.  Some people watch the Superbowl to watch a thrilling NFL championship game. Some people watch the Superbowl for the commercials.  This year, I watched the Superbowl to watch the PIANOS?!?!!?

Did you catch this piano in this commercial? 

http://according2mandy.com/2013/02/mms-love-ballad-super-bowl-xlvii-commercial/

Did you see the stunning silver Yamaha piano that Alicia Keys played when she sang the National Anthem?  it was a gorgeous piano.  I have been looking for the model number and information on-line and have not been successful.  If any of you know - let me know!

My favorite seat in the house!