Theme Thursday - TELEPHONE

Technology is a good thing. This must be stated up front and I want to be perfectly clear that I own digital keyboards, a digital camera, a laptop and a cell phone. But I also find myself tormented by all sorts of technology in regard to teaching classical piano.

Long ago, I took the TELEPHONE and the computer out of my office. I was limiting the noises so that we could really listen. Any call that came in was not as important as the student with me. Computers have a fan noise that is annoying to me. (My latest annoyance has to do with a halogen hum by trying to go more environmentally friendly, but that's another post.)

But now students are bringing distractions into the lesson with them. Blackberries, iPhones, cell phones-the list is long. Cell phones ring during lessons, recitals, or competitions. I have made a relatively new change that they leave them on the coffee table in the fireplace room. If I remind them, it's working.

I am starting to believe preliminary data pointing to reduced attention spans from not only television but video games. But again, this is another post idea.

Perhaps as soon as I mention a "simpler" time, of land lines, and acoustic concerts, I am labeling and distancing myself from my students, or you. But as you listen to Jim Croce, and see that he doesn't have a backup band, psychedelic uTube presentation, or hype, it gives you a chance to really listen. I think really listening is such a gift.

Veteran's Day

The small town feeling washed over me today as I drove into Rosemount, Minnesota. On every lamp was a flag waving wildly. How did your town celebrate? Some have parades, some have vigils.

A student sent me this video clip. I hadn't seen it yet; maybe you haven't either.

Music Theory is not for Wimps

A piano student went to visit her sisters at college. She returned this week with stars in her eyes and stories to share. Because the sisters are both considering music degrees, they are in college music classes. So, my 15 year old sat in classes with them and even took the music theory quiz.
They were studying dominant seventh chords and their inversions. A majority of class time was analyzing which inversion of the chord was in use, and how to write that inversion correctly on paper.
Bonzai! My kiddo got 100% on the quiz! Some of the students received 2 or 3/10. The teacher pulled her aside after class.
"You're 15", he said. "How did you know this information or learn it so quickly?"
"Well, I already have had it in my piano lessons!"
"Where do you live?"
"In Minnesota."
"Oh, well, that's why. They have a great music program up there. Can you and your sister stay after class and tutor the singers who only understand one note at a time?"

Way to go, Minnesota! For more information on our great programs, visit mnmusicteachers.com.

I'm sick, sick, sick

I have missed so many Monday lessons with my own family issues and students' illnesses. Now, it's my turn to have an influenza like illness. 102, deep cough, and I have slept for 36 hours straight. I hate to cancel lessons, but I must. I feel horrible. And I don't feel right now like making the lessons up. But we're getting behind on all our preparations for our winter events. Sigh, I'm going to take more Advil, make some phone calls to the Monday parents and go back to bed.

But on a good note, it's a sunny day! Maybe I'll nap in the sunshine chair in the living room. Aah nice and warm when I'm so cold...cup of tea, drifting off...

Finding Adjudicators

I'm working with a committee, assigning judges for our Minnesota Music teachers annual contest. There are many attributes of a great judge, but as we assign people to positions, there are a lot of other not-so-obvious qualities that we met recently to discuss. These are the intangibles that make or break a great year for those of us running it. These should be a given, but for some reason, it never is.

Do they work well with the younger children? Do they smile? Ever? Do they appear warm and welcoming? Do some of the people with Doctorates have attitudes that prohibit them from the lower levels? Are we diminishing their degree by having them write critiques for a 12 year old? Can we read the handwriting? Do they stay on time? Do they arrive on time? Are they just plain high maintenance?

Now the latest trait we are examining is whether they have email. Due to budget constraints, we are only using the internet this year to communicate with our adjudicators. I have mixed feelings about this attempt to save money. Some of my favorites judges in years past do not have email accounts. Some colleagues never check them but have one. But what do we do about an esteemed pianist who does not have contact with what is now a very time-tested approved method of communication?

As we prepare to send out a LOT of emails in the next few days, and deal with returned/undeliverables, and some speedy replies, I will probably form a better opinion of our new policy. Of course, we are training our membership at this point too, to expect communication from us in a new way. Welcome to the new way, same as the old way, just like yesterday?

Wow, can Pete ever play, but would he be a good adjudicator?

Theme Thursday - HALLOWEEN

At the studio, the students are making statements this week about when they will be practicing. They are going to fill out a POGO Stick Practice minutes Post-it note, which I attached to a full size candy bar. This is an up-front motivational tool to see if the schedule they stated to me is going to work. The form is not a judgment. It is to see whether the times that they stated to me are going to work as they thought it would this week.

Stalker-creepy, yet deliciously wonderful, here is the "Music of the Night", from Phantom of the Opera, for your Halloween pleasure. Take time to watch and listen how truly mesmerizing is the spell he casts. Oooh, I could fall into a trance like that....

When to Practice

I am asking each student to proclaim their practice times to me. When will you be sitting down to study this wonderful instrument? I am writing it out and posting it for the world to see on my french doors and eventually, even you perhaps will be informed of their schedules. This has been a revelation to some of them.
1. You care about when I'm at the bench?
2. I should schedule a specific time? It might be different every day. (That's ok, let's write it down anyway!)
3. You're going to keep me honest and check in with me?
4. Practice requires regular meetings at the piano?

It's going to be a great week. With the November statement, I'll let each family know what we discussed. Later in November, I call all the families at their allotted practice time and ask how it's going. I also have a fair number of students' cell phone numbers and I text them. "Have you practiced today?" Giggle, sneaky sneaky.

Why are these pumpkins still in the field with moments to go before Halloween? Did they not make the cut? Were they not perfect or big enough? There are fields upon fields of these in my area. Do you have your pumpkin purchased? When will you carve them?