Twinkle Group Parents:
Welcome to Twinkle class, and to this blog. I will be updating you on this blog, and also making the video of the individual lesson part of the class available for you on a private blog which will be available through an invitation which will be sent to you via e-mail. Suzuki Piano Teachers who join the East-West Teachers Forum on this site will also have access to this blog for research.
I hope all of you have been able to order the materials from the list sent to you by e-mail. The time before the first class is very important for listening to the disc. It's also nice to begin naming the pieces as you hear them.
The class will consist of 5 parts. We will keep basically the same order and activities for several weeks. We will build ability through this repetition.
First we will become familiar with and memorize each others names.
Next, I will play a couple pieces from the Suzuki repertoire.
In the third part of class, we will be singing the Book 1 pieces using solfege (Do, Re Mi) The children will catch on to this quickly. The parents can write the names of the solfege in the score. The children will sit with their parent and you can use your book 1 score. Please bring your Suzuki Book 1 score to class every week.
The next part of the class is individual lessons at the piano. For the first week we will just be going to the piano and I will be instructing the parents on using the video camera for future lessons.
The last part of the class will be floor activities with the students such as finger numbers and clapping rhythms. Parents will stay seated, but please help with the singing and clapping.
We will end with the group bow.
Please bring a notebook to write down the activities done in the class. This also sends a nonverbal message to the children that the activities are important. I will review the assignment at the end. The first assignment will be as short as "practice the bow".
I will give the students a notebook with practice sheets. Please check off on the practice record each day after you have practiced the bow. Please bring the assignment back to the next class.
Then gradually we will add to the assignment as the habit is established.
It is good to have a tote bag to carry materials back and forth to class. So, please bring a tote bag with the Book 1 score, another book to read during lessons, a notebook to take notes on, and I will give you the assignment notebook at the end of class to take home.
The beginning is very important. The main goals are to establish the relationships and the structure, help the students feel comfortable and supported in the environment, and create motivation to play the piano.
Looking forward to a great class!
Leah Brammer
*Please bring your Book 1 score to class as we will be using it.
Link to next Twinkle Blog
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
International 10 Piano Concert!
Suzuki Piano BasicsInternational 10 Piano Concert
Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, August 15, 2009 -2:30 PM
For tickets call the box office at 530-754-2787
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Intermountain Suzuki Piano Institute
Let's go to Utah this summer for the Suzuki Institute! I will be teaching there as part of the advanced piano camp along with Robin Blankenship. Hope you can join us!
Here is the link:
http://www.intermountainsuzukiinstitute.org/
Here is the link:
http://www.intermountainsuzukiinstitute.org/
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Nurturing with Attention
When the parent is focused on the lesson, the student can become fully engaged. Taking notes and making a video recording of the lesson also helps to create the environment of importance and awareness.
This quiet attention connects the parent with the teacher and the child.
Parents who are completely involved are less likely to be distracted by the other children. So it is ideal not to give any attention to the other siblings. This will help younger students want to have their turn. It is good to bring books for them to look at or read. Toys are a distraction to the child having a lesson. It is also important that the parent not help the other siblings with homework. This is a time for them to study/read/observe independently.
So, with this as our goal we can create a quiet focused environment for optimum learning. In between lessons is a good time to talk, stretch, and enjoy each others company.
During the lesson, the assignment sheet is on the teachers piano. Please take notes in a small notebook. Also, in addition to your child's book which is on the piano during the lesson, please have another copy of the musical score to look at and take notes directly onto (if you do not have one already) This is a good place to mark things like spots, notes/fingering to fix, and tempo markings.
It is good to watch the video at the beginning of the practice week. The video is useful for remembering things like how to say "ready-go", the posture, and generally good reinforcement. Children really enjoy and benefit from watching themselves too.
After discussing the lesson with your child and reviewing the video and notes, please edit the last weeks assignment sheet to reflect changes, goals, and main points.
The assignment is the basic outline and should be easy to quickly update. The details can be left on the music score.
This organization of the assignment at the beginning of the week connects the lesson given by the teacher with the home practice and helps the child be able to follow through with the assignment. Children will be much more motivated to do the assignment if it represents what was taught at the lesson, and much more able to do it well if the exact cues and words are used at home that were used in the lesson.
The continuity of completing the actual assignment is what makes the child feel successful. During the lesson I will listen first, focus on the core skill that will make the most significant developmental improvement and prescribe a point to focus on. I will give that point and reinforce it over the rest of the lesson. Each piece will have spots that reinforce that skill. At home, focus mostly on that point for the assignment during the week and you will feel less overwhelmed. Your child will feel that the assignment is much easier and doable this way as well. By applying this main point to the pieces and the spots the child is playing you are following Dr. Suzuki's philosophy to "Raise your ability on a piece you can play."
Children will concentrate much better when they practice everyday. This is primarily because the habit of practice has been established and the emotional content involved in the decision about whether or when to practice is out of the way.
The habit of practicing everyday with balanced body/mind/emotions/inspiration is the most important thing to establish in the beginning years. Our intention is on creating the right environment for optimum learning at home as well.
I am grateful to all of you for your commitment to your children. Your child will also internalize the intention and nurturing you give them.
This quiet attention connects the parent with the teacher and the child.
Parents who are completely involved are less likely to be distracted by the other children. So it is ideal not to give any attention to the other siblings. This will help younger students want to have their turn. It is good to bring books for them to look at or read. Toys are a distraction to the child having a lesson. It is also important that the parent not help the other siblings with homework. This is a time for them to study/read/observe independently.
So, with this as our goal we can create a quiet focused environment for optimum learning. In between lessons is a good time to talk, stretch, and enjoy each others company.
During the lesson, the assignment sheet is on the teachers piano. Please take notes in a small notebook. Also, in addition to your child's book which is on the piano during the lesson, please have another copy of the musical score to look at and take notes directly onto (if you do not have one already) This is a good place to mark things like spots, notes/fingering to fix, and tempo markings.
It is good to watch the video at the beginning of the practice week. The video is useful for remembering things like how to say "ready-go", the posture, and generally good reinforcement. Children really enjoy and benefit from watching themselves too.
After discussing the lesson with your child and reviewing the video and notes, please edit the last weeks assignment sheet to reflect changes, goals, and main points.
The assignment is the basic outline and should be easy to quickly update. The details can be left on the music score.
This organization of the assignment at the beginning of the week connects the lesson given by the teacher with the home practice and helps the child be able to follow through with the assignment. Children will be much more motivated to do the assignment if it represents what was taught at the lesson, and much more able to do it well if the exact cues and words are used at home that were used in the lesson.
The continuity of completing the actual assignment is what makes the child feel successful. During the lesson I will listen first, focus on the core skill that will make the most significant developmental improvement and prescribe a point to focus on. I will give that point and reinforce it over the rest of the lesson. Each piece will have spots that reinforce that skill. At home, focus mostly on that point for the assignment during the week and you will feel less overwhelmed. Your child will feel that the assignment is much easier and doable this way as well. By applying this main point to the pieces and the spots the child is playing you are following Dr. Suzuki's philosophy to "Raise your ability on a piece you can play."
Children will concentrate much better when they practice everyday. This is primarily because the habit of practice has been established and the emotional content involved in the decision about whether or when to practice is out of the way.
The habit of practicing everyday with balanced body/mind/emotions/inspiration is the most important thing to establish in the beginning years. Our intention is on creating the right environment for optimum learning at home as well.
I am grateful to all of you for your commitment to your children. Your child will also internalize the intention and nurturing you give them.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Rebecca Willet for winning the Richmond Symphony Concerto competition! Rebecca is 14 years old. She began Suzuki piano lessons when she was very young. She studied with Melody Diehl for many years. She also traveled to Louisville to study with Dr. Kataoka and participate in the Institutes. She also performed in the 10 Piano Concerts in Sacramento and in Japan. I first met Rebecca in Louisville and enjoyed teaching her in masterclass lessons.
She is performing the Mendelssohn Concerto in g minor.
There are two videos- I think the first one was the preliminary and the second one is the finals.
Rebecca if you read this please feel free to comment.
All the best to Rebecca when she plays with the Richmond symphony on April 1.
She is performing the Mendelssohn Concerto in g minor.
There are two videos- I think the first one was the preliminary and the second one is the finals.
Rebecca if you read this please feel free to comment.
All the best to Rebecca when she plays with the Richmond symphony on April 1.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
One moment, one day, one year, one life
Greetings on the first day of 2009!
I am reading the book Remix by Lawrence Lessig who is a professor at Stanford. He writes about the evolving RW (read/write) culture made possible by new technologies which enable people to contribute/comment/create/edit/quote/analyize/sythesize/ and thus "remix" information of all types including words/sounds/photo/visual-video into multiple mediums.
It is an exciting time for people who research learning.
Also as I was sorting through my mail I found my letter asking for a contribution to the International campaign for Tibet which each year comes from Richard Gere.
These two things led me to a short article that Dr. Kataoka wrote:
"One Day is a Lifetime!
Sometime ago while out of town, I turned on the television in my hotel room. The actor Richard Gere was on a talk show. He seemed like a very affable and natural sort of person.
He is a follower of Tibetan Buddhism. He explained in a simple, very understandable way that people in this religion are reborn every day. In other words, they believe that one is born each morning and dies every night. If this is so, he explained, then each and every day is very precious. He said that, to a procrastinator like himself, there can be no such thing as thinking, "I will do it tomorrow." Moreover each day being an entire cycle of birth and death, it happens as the blink of an eye or a single breadth. Richard Gere is also fond of Zen Buddhism from Japan and meditates faithfully for 30 minutes daily.
While we in the East, have been sitting idly by, it seems that Westerners from distant lands have been learning about Eastern Culture to the point of deep understanding. I was astonished. As I mentioned in the previous article, having taught children how to play piano for many years, I am truly aware that no matter how you look at it, each day is a unit when it comes to the human body. To think that one is born in the morning and dies at night is a wonderful perception. It makes one contemplate seriously how to face each and every day and decide how you will spend the next 24 hours.
When performing a piece on the piano, each and every note is very important. If the performer does not play every single sound in a heartfelt way with his or her soul, it is not possible to create a truly musical tone. 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.
So therefore, is it not also true that when each and every note is felt from the heart, originates from the soul, and is played with a musical sound, that a continuum is created which results in a wonderful performance?"
Well, I can't write a better New Years message than that.
Blessings, and
Happy Continuum!
I am reading the book Remix by Lawrence Lessig who is a professor at Stanford. He writes about the evolving RW (read/write) culture made possible by new technologies which enable people to contribute/comment/create/edit/quote/analyize/sythesize/ and thus "remix" information of all types including words/sounds/photo/visual-video into multiple mediums.
It is an exciting time for people who research learning.
Also as I was sorting through my mail I found my letter asking for a contribution to the International campaign for Tibet which each year comes from Richard Gere.
These two things led me to a short article that Dr. Kataoka wrote:
"One Day is a Lifetime!
Sometime ago while out of town, I turned on the television in my hotel room. The actor Richard Gere was on a talk show. He seemed like a very affable and natural sort of person.
He is a follower of Tibetan Buddhism. He explained in a simple, very understandable way that people in this religion are reborn every day. In other words, they believe that one is born each morning and dies every night. If this is so, he explained, then each and every day is very precious. He said that, to a procrastinator like himself, there can be no such thing as thinking, "I will do it tomorrow." Moreover each day being an entire cycle of birth and death, it happens as the blink of an eye or a single breadth. Richard Gere is also fond of Zen Buddhism from Japan and meditates faithfully for 30 minutes daily.
While we in the East, have been sitting idly by, it seems that Westerners from distant lands have been learning about Eastern Culture to the point of deep understanding. I was astonished. As I mentioned in the previous article, having taught children how to play piano for many years, I am truly aware that no matter how you look at it, each day is a unit when it comes to the human body. To think that one is born in the morning and dies at night is a wonderful perception. It makes one contemplate seriously how to face each and every day and decide how you will spend the next 24 hours.
When performing a piece on the piano, each and every note is very important. If the performer does not play every single sound in a heartfelt way with his or her soul, it is not possible to create a truly musical tone. 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.
So therefore, is it not also true that when each and every note is felt from the heart, originates from the soul, and is played with a musical sound, that a continuum is created which results in a wonderful performance?"
Well, I can't write a better New Years message than that.
Blessings, and
Happy Continuum!
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Gift of Giving
Giving and receiving are the two parts of the same basic principle which is love. When we teach our children to give with happiness and excitement, we enable them to receive with gratitude. Children feel empowered when they give something which they have worked on and created. This holiday help your child to give something that they have worked hard for and are very proud of- their music. This is how we can nurture with love.
There are many ways you can do this. One idea is to make a video/DVD of past recitals and performances. Another idea is to make a Christmas video/DVD. Have your child dress up in a Christmas outfit and record their regular pieces as well as their Christmas Songs. You could send it in the Christmas cards, or even by e-mail. Grandparents especially love these gifts. Make sure to save a copy as it will make a great gift for your child someday.
Children who have learned through the Suzuki method internalize the sound of their pieces through listening. So, they enjoy performing in public as they always have their “music” with them –inside their self. There are many opportunities for your child to share their music during the season. From nursing homes to parties, to church, to malls it is always welcome to hear a child playing music. You can prepare and talk about these opportunities ahead of time with your child and in this way make the practice time become an important part of the gift.
Start a Holiday tradition of playing and singing music together with friends and/or family sometime during the holiday. My family does this on Christmas Eve. Everyone has a turn to sing, dance, or play an instrument. Each year you can play the old songs, and add new ones. Years from now when your child hears the pieces they have played it will bring back these memories.
When your child experiences this joy that they can give to others through their music, their own love for playing piano will become very strong.
As Dr. Suzuki said “Where love is deep much can be accomplished.”
Happy Holidays!
There are many ways you can do this. One idea is to make a video/DVD of past recitals and performances. Another idea is to make a Christmas video/DVD. Have your child dress up in a Christmas outfit and record their regular pieces as well as their Christmas Songs. You could send it in the Christmas cards, or even by e-mail. Grandparents especially love these gifts. Make sure to save a copy as it will make a great gift for your child someday.
Children who have learned through the Suzuki method internalize the sound of their pieces through listening. So, they enjoy performing in public as they always have their “music” with them –inside their self. There are many opportunities for your child to share their music during the season. From nursing homes to parties, to church, to malls it is always welcome to hear a child playing music. You can prepare and talk about these opportunities ahead of time with your child and in this way make the practice time become an important part of the gift.
Start a Holiday tradition of playing and singing music together with friends and/or family sometime during the holiday. My family does this on Christmas Eve. Everyone has a turn to sing, dance, or play an instrument. Each year you can play the old songs, and add new ones. Years from now when your child hears the pieces they have played it will bring back these memories.
When your child experiences this joy that they can give to others through their music, their own love for playing piano will become very strong.
As Dr. Suzuki said “Where love is deep much can be accomplished.”
Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
November 9, 2008 performance with Brian Parks in Atlanta Ga for the Cultural Arts Perfomance Series at the Ahavath Achim Synagogue
Congratulations to Brian on an awesome performance, and for encouraging me to perform with him.
Thanks so much to the students, parents, teachers, family and friends who attended the concert and made it a very special event.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
e-mail test
To the parents in the studio:
I have put you on an e-mail list so that you will be notified when I put up a new post.
Please let me know if you get it and read this message. You could reply with a comment to this blog, or through e-mail.
I am off to Atlanta to play with Brian in the concert, and will be teaching a lot as well. I wish all of you could meet the students in Atlanta!
Also, I am going to Orange County for a workshop with the Japanese teachers in February. There will be a Friendship concert and lessons for students. If anyone is interested in going for a lesson, or to be in the concert please let me know. The deadline for video submission is the beginning of December.
Speaking of videos, I want everyone to bring their discs for recording lessons each week as I can really tell a difference in the students progress when people use them. If you have your own video camera, you can use it instead and put it on my tri-pod if that is easier for you.
thanks,
Leah Brammer
I have put you on an e-mail list so that you will be notified when I put up a new post.
Please let me know if you get it and read this message. You could reply with a comment to this blog, or through e-mail.
I am off to Atlanta to play with Brian in the concert, and will be teaching a lot as well. I wish all of you could meet the students in Atlanta!
Also, I am going to Orange County for a workshop with the Japanese teachers in February. There will be a Friendship concert and lessons for students. If anyone is interested in going for a lesson, or to be in the concert please let me know. The deadline for video submission is the beginning of December.
Speaking of videos, I want everyone to bring their discs for recording lessons each week as I can really tell a difference in the students progress when people use them. If you have your own video camera, you can use it instead and put it on my tri-pod if that is easier for you.
thanks,
Leah Brammer
Monday, November 3, 2008
Nurture Your Child's Musical Taste
Reprinted from the February 2003 Atlanta Suzuki Piano Association "Nurture" Journal
This article seems relevant now as we go into the Thanksgiving holiday. The association of family and friends with the autumn season foods is reinforced over many years for children. We associate music with feelings in much the same way.
When my children were young I remember encouraging them to try new foods. I knew that they would probably like fried foods and candy without any help, but also knew that getting them to appreciate high quality whole foods was going to take persistence. The same principle is true with music. Children need parents to take care of their musical environment in order for their taste to mature.
Our memories from childhood often come from our senses- our grandmother’s perfume, the feeling of sand between our fingers at the beach, the glimmer of Christmas tree lights, or the taste of a particular food being associated with a holiday. When children are growing up, having music on in the house creates a feeling that they will remember even when they are older.
Recently, I picked up my teen-age daughter from school. When she got in the car she said, “Oh, it is so nice to hear classical music.” I asked her, “ Why? Were you listening to pop songs while you were running track?” “No” she replied, “It’s just been a difficult day.” So, music is not just a luxury. Good music is important for our emotional well-being in the same way good food is necessary for our physical well-being.
Young students need many repetitions of the highest quality music. It is not necessary to own many discs, just the best ones. Researching and buying new music is fun for older children as well as for parents who are developing their musical taste. Researching discs by specific artists is a great way to buy discs. Another way to collect discs is to buy a specific disc to prepare for live performances. This makes the live performance much more enjoyable and valuable. A student’s parent recently told me that she had taken her three boys to see the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra perform Holts’ “The Planets.” The mother bought the disc and played it in the car several weeks ahead. During the performance, her son Max would turn to his head and whisper "Mars!" "Mercury!"...
I am always so happy when a student comes to the lesson and announces a piece they have heard and want to learn. Sometimes they find another pianist on a piece they are learning. They develop the ability to hear subtle details and make decisions about good interpretations. Then, the music becomes truly their own.
Last, when listening to new music, remember that through time and familiarity one acquires the the understanding/awareness that gives the experience meaning. Repetition of high quality music is an important factor in acquiring good musical taste. To taste and enjoy wonderful music is a gift!
This article seems relevant now as we go into the Thanksgiving holiday. The association of family and friends with the autumn season foods is reinforced over many years for children. We associate music with feelings in much the same way.
When my children were young I remember encouraging them to try new foods. I knew that they would probably like fried foods and candy without any help, but also knew that getting them to appreciate high quality whole foods was going to take persistence. The same principle is true with music. Children need parents to take care of their musical environment in order for their taste to mature.
Our memories from childhood often come from our senses- our grandmother’s perfume, the feeling of sand between our fingers at the beach, the glimmer of Christmas tree lights, or the taste of a particular food being associated with a holiday. When children are growing up, having music on in the house creates a feeling that they will remember even when they are older.
Recently, I picked up my teen-age daughter from school. When she got in the car she said, “Oh, it is so nice to hear classical music.” I asked her, “ Why? Were you listening to pop songs while you were running track?” “No” she replied, “It’s just been a difficult day.” So, music is not just a luxury. Good music is important for our emotional well-being in the same way good food is necessary for our physical well-being.
Young students need many repetitions of the highest quality music. It is not necessary to own many discs, just the best ones. Researching and buying new music is fun for older children as well as for parents who are developing their musical taste. Researching discs by specific artists is a great way to buy discs. Another way to collect discs is to buy a specific disc to prepare for live performances. This makes the live performance much more enjoyable and valuable. A student’s parent recently told me that she had taken her three boys to see the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra perform Holts’ “The Planets.” The mother bought the disc and played it in the car several weeks ahead. During the performance, her son Max would turn to his head and whisper "Mars!" "Mercury!"...
I am always so happy when a student comes to the lesson and announces a piece they have heard and want to learn. Sometimes they find another pianist on a piece they are learning. They develop the ability to hear subtle details and make decisions about good interpretations. Then, the music becomes truly their own.
Last, when listening to new music, remember that through time and familiarity one acquires the the understanding/awareness that gives the experience meaning. Repetition of high quality music is an important factor in acquiring good musical taste. To taste and enjoy wonderful music is a gift!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Oh, to hear Bach in the morning!
Reprinted from the “Nurture” Journal published by the Atlanta Suzuki Piano Association
This article was written a few months after the 9/11/2001 attacks on the US. It was an attempt at that time to help families and teachers get back into the habit of listening to classical music in the house not only for their piano lessons, but also for their family wellness. The article has relevance now because the recent events although minor by comparison are still captivating.
On the morning of September 11, my husband called me from his cell phone: “You’ve got to turn on the TV!” I watched as the second plane flew into the World Trade Center. In that moment, I became a captive to the television. In the following three months, my morning routine was to check the news for the latest updates.
Recently, I turned on the disc player to listen to a piece I was teaching. In the same suddenness in which I had become captive to the TV, a feeling of deep calm and peacefulness came over me. I realized how easily and thoughtlessly that I had replaced a good habit with a bad one. In lessons that week, I asked parents: “Have you been listening?” The reply from many parents: “Not as much as usual.”
In one sense, everyone has been captive to recent events. It was interesting to me however, that as I listened to recordings less, I forgot to remind parents about listening as well. Because I was uninspired, there were no stories to tell about listening, certain pianist, or new discs to listen to.
As a child, while my parents played and respected music as an important part of life, the TV was king of the house. This was the habit learned from my childhood. As an adult, I have rebelled against this way of life to such an extent that I miss even really good programs. Still, what we learn as children is so strong that these habits can take over without us even knowing it!
Dr. Suzuki and Dr. Kataoka teach us that each day is like a life. The morning is a new beginning and a very important time to have music on in the house. This creates the habit of listening for that day. With music in the morning, the whole day can evolve from that center of calmness.
As adults, it is so difficult to get rid of bad habits! For the sake of humanity, let’s work hard to help children acquire good habits!
This article was written a few months after the 9/11/2001 attacks on the US. It was an attempt at that time to help families and teachers get back into the habit of listening to classical music in the house not only for their piano lessons, but also for their family wellness. The article has relevance now because the recent events although minor by comparison are still captivating.
On the morning of September 11, my husband called me from his cell phone: “You’ve got to turn on the TV!” I watched as the second plane flew into the World Trade Center. In that moment, I became a captive to the television. In the following three months, my morning routine was to check the news for the latest updates.
Recently, I turned on the disc player to listen to a piece I was teaching. In the same suddenness in which I had become captive to the TV, a feeling of deep calm and peacefulness came over me. I realized how easily and thoughtlessly that I had replaced a good habit with a bad one. In lessons that week, I asked parents: “Have you been listening?” The reply from many parents: “Not as much as usual.”
In one sense, everyone has been captive to recent events. It was interesting to me however, that as I listened to recordings less, I forgot to remind parents about listening as well. Because I was uninspired, there were no stories to tell about listening, certain pianist, or new discs to listen to.
As a child, while my parents played and respected music as an important part of life, the TV was king of the house. This was the habit learned from my childhood. As an adult, I have rebelled against this way of life to such an extent that I miss even really good programs. Still, what we learn as children is so strong that these habits can take over without us even knowing it!
Dr. Suzuki and Dr. Kataoka teach us that each day is like a life. The morning is a new beginning and a very important time to have music on in the house. This creates the habit of listening for that day. With music in the morning, the whole day can evolve from that center of calmness.
As adults, it is so difficult to get rid of bad habits! For the sake of humanity, let’s work hard to help children acquire good habits!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Congratulations
Congratulations on a great recital last Saturday. The students are really improving!
I was especially happy with the clear beautiful tone the students were making. Their concentration was very good. Keep bowing everyday before and after practice so that their bow becomes natural.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Access to Great Pianists through the Web
Reprinted from Suzuki Piano Basics Newsletter March/April 2008
Now with active links
Imagine being able to watch, listen and learn about the very best pianists including those from the beginning of the 20th century to the current day, performing music by the greatest composers of all time.
It is now possible! Imagine how happy Dr. Suzuki would be to know that children can watch and listen to the best musicians with such relatively little effort! There is so much “out there” on the web it’s hard to know where to begin. Also, the technology and options are changing even as I write this. So, this article is about how to begin your research.
Dr. Kataoka always made it clear that there was a huge difference between the “good” pianist and the “best” pianists. After you listen and watch the best pianist it is much easier to tell when the quality is not as good. This is how we educate children to have high ability-with the very best as their model.
You can listen and watch many different pianists on the web, especially on Youtube! You can also find information about composers, artists, music history, etc. Next, you can research available recordings by listening for free, buying a new or used (collector items) CD, or downloading a MP4 file directly onto your iPod or computer. With this kind of access, all of us can contribute to the ongoing job of finding and providing the best resources and environment for the students.
Following is a list of reliable websites/access points for your research:
For Information:
www.google.com
You can search by the name of the pianist. A quick search of Martha Argerich for example brings up 448,000 entries which can be rather overwhelming. The good news is that often the first few links have lots of great information. On the Martha Argerich search Wikipedia comes up as the first link (it often does) which has a biography and links to other good sites. The next link was www.argerich.org which has a catalog of recordings, upcoming broadcast and concerts. There were also links to sites with interviews, articles, YouTube video links, and even an add for Martha Argerich ring tones (now we know what to get Karen Hagberg for Christmas)
You can also search by the name of the piece. A quick search for “Chopin Ballade” brought 80,700 links.The first links were for YouTube (to watch videos) including Horowitz and Zimmerman. Next, there were Amazon.com links to buy CD’s including recordings by Rubenstein. There were also sheet music sites.
For Online Videos
www.you-tube.com
There are more incredible videos by the day on this site. Search by pianists name, filter by the composer/piece. There will be a lot of videos that come up on your search. It takes time as there is no filter that really helps pull the best videos. Still, it is an adventure.
You can start your own page with favorites, playlists, and can subscribe to others peoples’ YouTube page. For example, I have been organizing my page to include playlists of various pianists as well as collecting student performances. You can search my name on Youtube and find my Youtube channel page!
You can listen to many different pianists on the web, especially on YouTube! Following is a list of five pianists considered by most to be in the “best” category that have videos posted on YouTube:
• Glen Gould - There are many videos on YouTube of his recording in the studio with the engineers. Very interesting, not necessarily appropriate for children
• Arthur Rubenstein - There are wonderful performances of various Chopin pieces. These videos are great for students as his posture is perfect!
• Alicia de Larrocha - There are videos of her performing Mozart as well as Spanish music including Emanuel De Falla’s Ritual Fire Dance.
• Martha Argerich- considered by many to be the greatest living pianist. There is a wonderful video of a Scarlatti Sonata recorded years ago as well as several others.
• Marc Andre Hamelin - His Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody #2 is incredible
For Cd’s
www.Amazon.com -classical music
This is an easy site to use the advanced search for classical music. You can search by pianist and then choose disc which have the composer you are looking for. You can also search by specific piece. You can buy MP4 (AAC) to download into your iTunes on some selections as well as ordering a CD.
Often recordings go on and off the market. Recording companies will repackage CD’s with recordings off several different CD’s put together with a new title. So, collectors (like me) might have to buy a whole new CD to get one new piece for example. As long as you are getting the pianist and the piece/composer you are looking for, the name of the CD doesn’t really matter. If you want only a single piece, try using iTunes and download directly to your computer/iPod.
Also in your search to buy disc/videos, some will be live performances of several composers and others will be a collection such as the Chopin Nocturnes. Sometimes a pianist will have several different recordings of a piece over a period of time which gets confusing. Anyway all kinds of listening experiences are useful. The live performances have great energy. The collections make it easier to understand a particular style or sound.
www.arkivmusic.com
This is a great site for hard to find discs and music lovers.
iTunes – you can buy single pieces or albums to download directly to your iPod/computer.
You can use iTunes as your music library/disc player. All of your discs can be downloaded into your computer and saved there. If students are listening on their computers, it is a good idea for them to get good speakers for the computer. You can keep your CD’s for backup and listening other places. They will be stored in the iTunes library. You then access the pieces by genre, artist, and album, When you upload a CD it will automatically enter these categories. You can change the information in these categories to suit your own filing system ( right click and “Get info”.)
Next, you can make playlist of specific pieces so that you can easily play just that playlist. There is a repeat button (bottom left corner of the iTunes screen) so that you can repeat a single piece or repeat a playlist. Next, you can burn Cd’s to use in other disc players in your house and car, and can share with students. Also, You can download the music onto your iPod or iPhone.
There will be new options in the near future that will enable access with even higher fidelity. So, I personally recommend to buy mostly CD’s and then load them onto your computer for iTunes access. Then you can use the CD in another location or keep it in storage as back-up.
In conclusion:
Go to any of the listed websites. Enter the pianist as the search. Check for the composers/compositions that they have recorded. Maybe look up information on the pianist and check their concert schedule or new release. Compare buying a MP4 version to used discs, to new discs, to different collections that may be on another site. Listen to a sample, watch videos, read, enjoy, learn, support, buy, and save your bookmarks/ favorites for the next time.
If you find a great video/disc, send me the link!
Now with active links
Imagine being able to watch, listen and learn about the very best pianists including those from the beginning of the 20th century to the current day, performing music by the greatest composers of all time.
It is now possible! Imagine how happy Dr. Suzuki would be to know that children can watch and listen to the best musicians with such relatively little effort! There is so much “out there” on the web it’s hard to know where to begin. Also, the technology and options are changing even as I write this. So, this article is about how to begin your research.
Dr. Kataoka always made it clear that there was a huge difference between the “good” pianist and the “best” pianists. After you listen and watch the best pianist it is much easier to tell when the quality is not as good. This is how we educate children to have high ability-with the very best as their model.
You can listen and watch many different pianists on the web, especially on Youtube! You can also find information about composers, artists, music history, etc. Next, you can research available recordings by listening for free, buying a new or used (collector items) CD, or downloading a MP4 file directly onto your iPod or computer. With this kind of access, all of us can contribute to the ongoing job of finding and providing the best resources and environment for the students.
Following is a list of reliable websites/access points for your research:
For Information:
www.google.com
You can search by the name of the pianist. A quick search of Martha Argerich for example brings up 448,000 entries which can be rather overwhelming. The good news is that often the first few links have lots of great information. On the Martha Argerich search Wikipedia comes up as the first link (it often does) which has a biography and links to other good sites. The next link was www.argerich.org which has a catalog of recordings, upcoming broadcast and concerts. There were also links to sites with interviews, articles, YouTube video links, and even an add for Martha Argerich ring tones (now we know what to get Karen Hagberg for Christmas)
You can also search by the name of the piece. A quick search for “Chopin Ballade” brought 80,700 links.The first links were for YouTube (to watch videos) including Horowitz and Zimmerman. Next, there were Amazon.com links to buy CD’s including recordings by Rubenstein. There were also sheet music sites.
For Online Videos
www.you-tube.com
There are more incredible videos by the day on this site. Search by pianists name, filter by the composer/piece. There will be a lot of videos that come up on your search. It takes time as there is no filter that really helps pull the best videos. Still, it is an adventure.
You can start your own page with favorites, playlists, and can subscribe to others peoples’ YouTube page. For example, I have been organizing my page to include playlists of various pianists as well as collecting student performances. You can search my name on Youtube and find my Youtube channel page!
You can listen to many different pianists on the web, especially on YouTube! Following is a list of five pianists considered by most to be in the “best” category that have videos posted on YouTube:
• Glen Gould - There are many videos on YouTube of his recording in the studio with the engineers. Very interesting, not necessarily appropriate for children
• Arthur Rubenstein - There are wonderful performances of various Chopin pieces. These videos are great for students as his posture is perfect!
• Alicia de Larrocha - There are videos of her performing Mozart as well as Spanish music including Emanuel De Falla’s Ritual Fire Dance.
• Martha Argerich- considered by many to be the greatest living pianist. There is a wonderful video of a Scarlatti Sonata recorded years ago as well as several others.
• Marc Andre Hamelin - His Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody #2 is incredible
For Cd’s
www.Amazon.com -classical music
This is an easy site to use the advanced search for classical music. You can search by pianist and then choose disc which have the composer you are looking for. You can also search by specific piece. You can buy MP4 (AAC) to download into your iTunes on some selections as well as ordering a CD.
Often recordings go on and off the market. Recording companies will repackage CD’s with recordings off several different CD’s put together with a new title. So, collectors (like me) might have to buy a whole new CD to get one new piece for example. As long as you are getting the pianist and the piece/composer you are looking for, the name of the CD doesn’t really matter. If you want only a single piece, try using iTunes and download directly to your computer/iPod.
Also in your search to buy disc/videos, some will be live performances of several composers and others will be a collection such as the Chopin Nocturnes. Sometimes a pianist will have several different recordings of a piece over a period of time which gets confusing. Anyway all kinds of listening experiences are useful. The live performances have great energy. The collections make it easier to understand a particular style or sound.
www.arkivmusic.com
This is a great site for hard to find discs and music lovers.
iTunes – you can buy single pieces or albums to download directly to your iPod/computer.
You can use iTunes as your music library/disc player. All of your discs can be downloaded into your computer and saved there. If students are listening on their computers, it is a good idea for them to get good speakers for the computer. You can keep your CD’s for backup and listening other places. They will be stored in the iTunes library. You then access the pieces by genre, artist, and album, When you upload a CD it will automatically enter these categories. You can change the information in these categories to suit your own filing system ( right click and “Get info”.)
Next, you can make playlist of specific pieces so that you can easily play just that playlist. There is a repeat button (bottom left corner of the iTunes screen) so that you can repeat a single piece or repeat a playlist. Next, you can burn Cd’s to use in other disc players in your house and car, and can share with students. Also, You can download the music onto your iPod or iPhone.
There will be new options in the near future that will enable access with even higher fidelity. So, I personally recommend to buy mostly CD’s and then load them onto your computer for iTunes access. Then you can use the CD in another location or keep it in storage as back-up.
In conclusion:
Go to any of the listed websites. Enter the pianist as the search. Check for the composers/compositions that they have recorded. Maybe look up information on the pianist and check their concert schedule or new release. Compare buying a MP4 version to used discs, to new discs, to different collections that may be on another site. Listen to a sample, watch videos, read, enjoy, learn, support, buy, and save your bookmarks/ favorites for the next time.
If you find a great video/disc, send me the link!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Please and Thank-you
Reprinted from the studio notes of Leah Brammer
Parents ,
Please bow every day at home before and after piano practice. This is very important.
The bow has the same meaning at home as in the lesson. To bow at the beginning is to agree to work together. It is a matter of respect. Make sure that you have eye contact at the beginning and end of the bow. This connection with the other person helps establish good feelings.
To bow at the end is to say thank-you for your time and energy, and we are done.
In Japan bowing is a matter of every-day life. Children grow up with it the same way we grow up with phrases such as : “Hello, how are you?”, “Thank-you for having me” , “ please” and “ thank-you” . In every culture, it is part of education to learn to appreciate and communicate with other people.
In recitals, the bow shows appreciation and communication with the audience. To bow at the beginning the performer is saying “please listen and enjoy my playing.” When the audience claps they are saying “ok”.
At the end of the performance the bow means “Thank-you for listening to me”’ and the corresponding clapping means “Thank-you for playing.”
Performers all over the world recognize the significance and importance of the bow.
It is very simple, but also very important for pianist to learn that the bow is an integral part of the performance. Without a good bow, the performance cannot be good. With daily practice the bow will feel natural and the child will gain self-confidence from this repetition.
Please bow every day as part of practice and see how this communication between you and your child can bring good feeling to your time together.
Just like please and Thank-you.
Parents ,
Please bow every day at home before and after piano practice. This is very important.
The bow has the same meaning at home as in the lesson. To bow at the beginning is to agree to work together. It is a matter of respect. Make sure that you have eye contact at the beginning and end of the bow. This connection with the other person helps establish good feelings.
To bow at the end is to say thank-you for your time and energy, and we are done.
In Japan bowing is a matter of every-day life. Children grow up with it the same way we grow up with phrases such as : “Hello, how are you?”, “Thank-you for having me” , “ please” and “ thank-you” . In every culture, it is part of education to learn to appreciate and communicate with other people.
In recitals, the bow shows appreciation and communication with the audience. To bow at the beginning the performer is saying “please listen and enjoy my playing.” When the audience claps they are saying “ok”.
At the end of the performance the bow means “Thank-you for listening to me”’ and the corresponding clapping means “Thank-you for playing.”
Performers all over the world recognize the significance and importance of the bow.
It is very simple, but also very important for pianist to learn that the bow is an integral part of the performance. Without a good bow, the performance cannot be good. With daily practice the bow will feel natural and the child will gain self-confidence from this repetition.
Please bow every day as part of practice and see how this communication between you and your child can bring good feeling to your time together.
Just like please and Thank-you.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Core Education
Following is a short outline of the principles I am developing and will be writing on through this blog and integrating into my book. I am using this format because I am very interested in having comments on these ideas.
Core Education is the development of the framework or “intelligence” upon which all learning occurs. Core Education promotes the growth of this organizational capacity upon which learning takes place and understanding and awareness are built.
Core Education is learning how to learn. It is the development of life ability. Life ability forms the macrocosm of how we live, interact, create, adapt, and grow. It is based on Dr. Suzuki and Dr. Kataoka’s principles of Talent Education and learning through the senses. It is evolving from my own research, introspection, and perceptions from living, breathing, and teaching Suzuki piano over many years as well as my life experience raising two children. I have not invented anything new, but am seeking to identify that which already is.
Principles:
1. Life Ability
Core Education develops life ability which is the ability to live life optimally.
2. Natural Learning
Core Education utilizes and preserves natural learning, which is direct learning from the environment.
3. Pattern recognition
Pattern recognition and the forming of relationships between these patterns can be developed through repetition for optimum learning. This is the basis for the traditional idea of “intelligence”.
4. Integral Learning
Core learning involves recognition and support for the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of development in combination with mental/cognitive learning to form life abilities.
5. Whole Learning
Children learn through absorption of the total environment rather than part by part. This is sometimes called ”right-brain learning” Whole learning is a better way to describe this absorption as it involves both the right brain (learning through the senses/intuition and left brain (analytical) types of learning working together.
6. The Basics Principle of Skill development
This principle is that the most fundamental aspect in a child’s learning must always be addressed rather than focusing on the content of what is being learned. This is the balancing concept of whole learning and involves the understanding of learning in relationship to sequencing and the development of ability through the acquisition of foundation skills.
7. Positive affirmation
Core education involves affirmation as a critical component of feedback for the child. Using verbal acknowledgement of that which is correct will accelerate learning. It is not a judgment such as good or bad, but is a positive statement of fact to the child about how they are learning.
Through understanding and applying these principles teachers and parents can recreate the concept of education from the learning of facts to the development of ability.
“I want - if I can - to get education changed from mere instruction to education in the real sense of the word - education that inculcates, brings out, develops the human potential, based on the growing life of the child. That is why I am devoting my efforts to furthering Talent Education: what a child becomes depends entirely on how he is educated. My prayer is that all children on this globe may become fine human beings, happy people of superior ability, and I am devoting all my energies to making this come about, for I am convinced that all children are born with this potential.”
Dr. Suzuki
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
