I know many of us have heard this phrase before, but it’s ever so true! My first week of piano lessons this year was pretty bad (due to having surgery); however, it had a good result…
I REALLY LOOKED FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO PRACTICE THE NEXT WEEK! (This was very strange for me, because even though I try to have a good practice record, I have never really enjoyed practicing.) Not only did I end up looking forward to practicing for “that” week, but each and every day, too. And, after I had my second lesson…my enthusiasm sky-rocketed! Here are some reasons why:
-I saw significant improvement in my songs/piano playing. (Why? Because I made a point to practice six, long hard days.) -I looked forward to practicing with an even greater reason this time. (Why? I wanted that same great result.) -I could play my songs with joy. (Why? Because I pushed myself the week before to know them and get the gritty work done, that now I could play them much easier.)
You see, there was and still is much reason for me to be enthusiastic: I see progress!
This might be very difficult to do, but instead of dreading practicing, try to get excited. Put lots of effort into your pieces and assignments. Try playing the hard songs first and save your favorite or easiest one for last. Switch your routine up; be creative.
MAKE YOUR PIANO PRACTICING FUN & ENJOYABLE!
I just participated in an interesting survey for music teachers, and I figured I would actually ask you all to get your perspective on this question! If you leave your answer in the comments section below, I’ll give you 10 extra points at your next lesson! Here’s the question:
What factors motivate you to be engaged [involved] in music? (you can give or add as many answers as apply to you)
1. Playing music naturally excites you.
2. You enjoy gaining recognition for your skills.
3. You hope to use music to help get into college.
4. Your parents urge you to continue playing music.
5. Nothing. You’re not really motivated to study music.
6. Other (please specify) ___________________________________
I learned in astronomy that a new ring has been found around Saturn! Cool, right? Check it out: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/spitzer/multimedia/spitzer-20091007a.html Maybe Natalie should add that to the galaxies!!!
One of the most well-known Romantic composers, Frederic Chopin, was born in the village of Żelazowa Wola, in what was then the Duchy of Warsaw, on the 1st of March in 1810.
Although his mother taught piano, Chopin was first instructed by his older sister, Ludwika. He began taking from his first professional tutor, Wojciech Żywny, at the age of 7 but quickly surpassed his teacher’s abilities. It was also at age 7 that Chopin wrote his first compositions: Polonaises in G minor and B-flat major. Throughout his life he composed 15 other Polonaises, one with orchestra accompaniment, and one for cello with accompanying piano.
Chopin moved to Paris in September 1831, and began lessons in an attempt to gain entrance and notice within the musical society. During his time in Paris Chopin taught many students as well as performing in various capacities.
For most of his life Chopin was ill and sickly, struggling with tuberculosis. He died at age 39 in Paris from the disease. Frederic Chopin wrote an astonishing number of songs, more than 50 mazurkas alone, considering the short time he lived.
Lately, I’ve been playing “Be Thou My Vision” and have really been working on NOT looking at my left hand while playing so that that hand’s *topography improves. Well, it hasn’t been very easy, and sometimes I just want to give up and look. But I don’t, because there’s that little inside voice that keeps telling myself, “I can do it! I can do it!” However, even after that, I feel like looking, but I just have to keep saying, “Don’t, DON’T, DON’T! Just keep playing! DON’T look down!”
I was a couple days into practicing this way, when a parallel came to mind:
Many times throughout our life we’re tempted to give-up and be done with tough trials, but then our faithful God comes to our side. And he whispers, “You can do it! Don’t give up. I’m here, just trust in me-have faith.” Sometimes, that’s all we need to keep running the race strong.
So when you get discouraged and feel like giving up…DON’T!!! Keep your chin up and instead of saying, “I can’t.” say, “I can!”
(*feeling/playing the keys without looking.)
Besides piano, this is my favorite instrument; I hope to play it someday. And I’m sure after you are done listening/watching this video you will have fallen in love with the sound as much as I did. (Like I wrote in the title, this is a “mini” dulcimer. If you want to hear a full-sized one watch the video below this one.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElgVKbex-WM
Full-Sized Dulcimer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFK7JsmWmMo
While at Joey’s cello lesson a couple of weeks ago, Natalie learned something about dynamics that was very enlightening. So, she relayed the technique (I guess you might call it) to me. Here’s what Joey’s teacher said:
Many times when we see dynamics such as “mf, mp, etc.” we tend to think that we must only play those parts “Moderately Loud/Moderately Soft“. While this is correct, we need to think of playing them more in terms of the piece. It’s mezzo forte for “that” “particular” song, so if it’s the second loudest dynamic marking, you should play it as the second loudest-not necessarily “just” “moderately” loud.
Ever since I started incorporating this idea, I’ve really been able to bring out a lot my songs’ character and mood. It also makes it much more exciting to play my music, too!
This post is a bit old, but the helpful information it offers is nonetheless old. Isaac Harris summarizes a Film Academy session Geoffery and Ben Botkin presented on the topic of “Film Score Composing”. Here’s the actual title: How to Make or Break Your Film: What Every Filmmaker needs to know about Film Music As you can imagine, they have some great suggestions and tips! I hope I can listen to the actual session someday.
