Tuesday, July 30, 2013

My Canoe Tipped Over, On Purpose

When I went to my first summer camp, it was at a northern Minnesota lake. There were hundreds of other new campers. But we all talked about the same thing that first night around the campfire. Canoe lessons.

You see, over one hundred timid city kids in the lake that day swamped their canoes as lesson number one. Yes, we all got wet. Yes, we were mostly a screaming, splashing confused bunch of 11-13 year olds. But it was so smart of the counselors to get that "mistake" out of the way. Because you know it's going to happen eventually. You are going to need to know how to be in control, flip it, right it, and somehow, get back in the canoe.

I haven't taken skiing lessons but I've heard the first thing you learn is how to fall. Because you will. This might be an interesting philosophy with piano.

The transfer student seemed so afraid. There were so much water, i.e., lots of notes, fingerings, dynamics, slurs, phrasing. Where do I even start, she wondered. Start by making some mistakes, and make them big.

In composition, we could teach the same thing. Try a bunch of ridiculous ideas. Mix it up and dump it out, all over. Do more. Do less. Combine styles, focus on one style completely.

The new student comes in and wants to be a good student. They are shy or intimidated by the bigness of the instrument. You can't hold a piano in your hands like a flute or a violin.

I'm not expecting students to know how to play piano before they've been taught how. Jump in. Splash and scream. Get wet. I promise you won't drown. I'm right here. And it's so much fun. Happy Summer all.



Saturday, July 6, 2013

My Summer Fun List

It's July already. I teach a limited schedule in the summer to make room for mindlessness. My creative side needs sun and space. This is only a reminder, to myself. Maybe I will get more of these enjoyed in the next two months, and more likely, things I didn't even think of will happen too.

Summer Fun List
By Chris Wolf

A Drive-In Movie
Arboreteum
Bike
Boat Ride
Como Park
Compose
County Fair
Dance to My Favorite Song on the Radio, every time!
Dinosaurs at the Zoo
Eat Corn on the Cob
Farmer’s Market
Garage Sale
Go to a Parade
Grow Something
Have a Campfire
Hear a Loon
Hear Live Music
Hold a Baby
Hold a Sparkler
Hunt for Antiques
Listen
Learn a new Song/Piece of Music
Make Something (recipe, a birdhouse…)
Maya Exhibit at the Science Museum
Mini Golf
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Museum I’ve Never Seen
Paint
Party with Friends
Pedicure
Play a Family Game
Play piano
Read a Book
Ride in a Convertible
Run in a Sprinkler
See a Movie
See a Sunset
Sleep Overnight Somewhere
Spit Watermelon Seeds off the Deck
Stillwater - Segways
Strawberry Picking
Surprise Someone
Swing
Take a Meal to someone
Take a Road I’ve Never Taken
Visit Someone Who Doesn’t Expect me
Walk a Path with fresh eyes, with a Camera
Watch Clouds

Who's been to Visit?