Happy 2010!
In my New Years Blog 2009 I wrote about the book Remix by Lawrence Lessig which I was reading at that time. He wrote about the evolving RW (read/write) culture made possible by new technologies which enable people to creatively contribute/comment/create/edit/quote/analyze/synthesize/ and thus "remix" information of all types including words/sounds/photo/visual-video into multiple mediums. The book also discusses copyright issues with the use and remixing of different media. After reading that book I made my website part of the "Creative Commons License" which is basically a share and share alike license.
This was the beginning of my using the web to research in a new way by gathering all kinds of resources from videos and websites, and also uploading my own content. I am really amazed at the quality of information that is available now and the quantity of information that one must sort through in order to find the quality. It has been a wonderful year of research!
Also in my New Years blog last year I wrote about Dr. Kataoka's article on the essence of Tibetan Buddhism. In her article, "One day is a lifetime," she draws the connection between each moment and each sound being important for human beings. Dr. Kataoka says in that article:
Whether we are talking about each and every day or each and every note, the fact that every single unit is precious and important is the same. When you live each day and every day with your heart and soul in the best natural way, there is a continuum which results in a wonderful lifetime.
In continuing with the research and writing that began last New Year, I have been watching the online videos of the 2009 Peace Summit in Vancouver with the Dalai Lama, other Nobel laureates and leaders.
Please watch this incredible video from the 2009 Vancouver Peace Summit. Much of the Summit focused on education as a key to peace. Education of the heart.
The whole clip is a session on Creativity with various speakers. One of the speakers, Eckart Tolle, talks about how to tap into the creative source, and the necessity of developing ability in order to use creativity. He begins talking about the penalty shootout in a soccer event , and relates it to concentration and the process of going within to tap into a creative source..
Please watch this as it is right on point with the use of "ready" and the development of ability.
After the video begins (there is a 15 second commercial) fast forward to 29:30 (drag the red circle to the right with your mouse) to get to Eckart Tolle's talk which is about 7 minutes.
2009 Vancouver Peace Summit-Creativity Session
On the assignment:
Twinkles: Eckart Tolle's concept of "going within" from the video is the "Ready" or becoming still physically and mentally. "Ready" also includes physically still in a natural balanced position which enables the student to efficiently produce the best sound and performance.
Continue with "ready go" for Twinkles A, B, and C. On Twinkle D "theme", please spot 5 times or so the beginning "Do-Do-So" while listening for legato. After this please have your child play the whole Twinkle D while you sing the solgege, and also have him play without any singing (or any instruction) It is good to have your child experience the concept of the whole piece and play freely even if it is not all the way legato. By doing the spot every day, the ability to play legato will transfer into the whole piece.
Finger numbers: Please go over Left hand numbers every day as well as the right, switching back and forth between the hands. We will be starting Left hand twinkles shortly.
Note names: Please have the child find notes from one end of the piano to the other in the same way we did in the group class. Have them say the name as they play the note.
You can switch back and forth between letter names and solfege. It is good to do this standing up with the bench out of the way.
On the Video recordings:
The video camera has become an important part of the studio and the learning process. The video recordings are an invaluable aid for parents to review the lesson points, observe the posture and sound, and follow through with the assignment. Since lessons are only once a week, this is an ideal way for you to get extra help without leaving your home. This Twinkle class is the first time I have recorded lessons and then posted them online for parents. In the process of doing this I have spent a lot of time reviewing the lessons myself. I have really learned so much from this.
The lessons are becoming longer now and so I want to make them more usable by having them in smaller parts. The easiest way to do this is to add tracks to the video recording. You can do this by pressing pause and then record again. This way each section such as Twinkle A, Twinkle B will have a separate place on the recording, will be easier to upload, and easier to view small sections. I will show you how to do this at the next lesson.
Looking forward to a great year,
Day by Day,
Leah Brammer
Click Here for the link to the next Twinkle Lessons Blog
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