Theme Thursday - EARTH

The planet we live on is 2/3 water. So why do we call it Earth? There is music all around us in this world if we only listen...

Criticism

One of the hardest parts of teaching for me is deciding how to criticize a student's playing, practice or performance. The critique needs to happen. The student grows from learning how to make their piano playing better. Here are 3 things I've been trying to take into account lately.

Privately - no one likes to be called on something in an obviously public way. In my opinion, it is not acceptable to call the parent into the room to berate the student's ability, practice habits or attitude. I would like to respect the student as much as possible, mention it until it is resolved and will choose not to bring it up in group lessons or in writing if I can absolutely help it. I inwardly groan when I hear adults speak painfully of their embarrassment in front of peers toward a music mistake. How demeaning to be told you're tone deaf in front of the rest of the choir! That child carries that baggage with them perhaps forever.

Self-realizing - I have become a big fan of the student hearing and realizing the mistake on their own. There are a few tricks to doing this successfully. I have played the piece with them. I have 2 pianos here; one for each of us. When they hear that we are not playing it the same, they stop and look at me. Like a puppy cocking his head to the side, they sometimes ask why I played it wrong! Or, I have asked them to become the teacher. Then we record the piece and use the music to really listen for what they would tell this "student", who is in fact, themselves. And I just love the new iTunes approach. We go online and buy a ninety-nine cent artist's concept of their piece. I challenge them to listen carefully. I ask them perhaps to purchase a similar artist, talking about some of the great pianists listed. They then have an ear for the potential music of the piece. Many students do not listen to classical repertoire at home. They don't know what to listen for.

Gently, with humor and grace - One of the best parts of learning happens when they realize mistakes happen. I have been known to murder a phrase of their piece in their lesson. I trip, stumble over the notes, count incorrectly, and we laugh. I have shown them my music, marked beyond recognition in some "hard parts" and they realize over time that we are in a state of becoming. We are all learning.

I won't give up. I can't. They are SO worth it. I will bring it up one more time, in another way, make a crash-and-burn sound, oooooh noooo, "dun, dun, DUN!", or the famous question, hmmmm, "how exactly did you practice this?" We'll get there, we'll get there.

or-chid you not

Some of my students will be taking Minnesota's graduation standards exams tomorrow. This has negated many of their potential practice hours. I have strong opinions about the testing process, the actual "meaning" of the exam, and its results.

Honestly, as adults, did the score of your exam change anything? As I read the literature sent home to prepare our children, the biggest impact will be on the school's ranking within the state and nation. Dear student, don't let your school down! Oh please, school, don't let your students down.

In general, the following advice is simply good for life. But perhaps, we all could be reminded.

In case you are doing something tomorrow that will "affect your whole life", as the kids were told, here are some helpful hints to secure a good score. After all, we all know that these scores determine our futures, right?

Ø Eat a good breakfast. Avoid sugar and caffeine.

Ø Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test.

Ø Wear comfortable clothes. Our classrooms are generally about 71 degrees. A sweater or sweatshirt to put on or take off may provide more comfort if temperatures fluctuate.

Ø Allow yourself time. Arrive early to allow a few minutes to collect yourself.

Ø Read over the test and plan your approach.

Ø Relax yourself physically. If you notice you’re not thinking well, lay your test aside and take several deep breaths.

Wake Up!

There's a whole wonderful day out there! Like grass growing through a concrete crack, we've been given an amazing moment to be, to grow, and to love. I love new beginnings! Go and tell it!

Happy Easter!

There is such joy in using the egg dipper to scoop your egg from the dye-how does it look? Should we let it get darker? Even without children, I would color eggs.

We draw with crayons, we make one into a strawberry, we've tried ty-dying, using rubber bands to make white stripes, stickers. We've dyed them with red onion, coffee, and other foods. Every year, there's a standout. I like the neon green one with the Light of the World church logo on it this year!

Then we take them to Grandma's, crack 'em and eat them! May you feel the Light this Spring!

The Empty Upper Room

I was imagining the Upper Room last night. Jesus and the disciples had ate and drank, washed each other's feet, had a great time, shared a lot of cameraderie and love for one another. What a great night. I've had a few of those, the "philos" love is palpable. Then took off for the garden, where Jesus wanted to pray. Did they leave the dishes? Did they dump the foot wash water before they left?

Or after their beloved was killed, did they come back and find the tables and the towels where he and they had left them? I like to imagine it this way-that they could walk around the table remembering, reliving the night before, picking up the leftover bread, crying, and wailing to each other, or in stunned silence clearing the table. Perhaps I'm a cinematographer in my head and this would make a great movie-larger than life. Peter kicking a chair and then weeping uncontrollably. John fingering the towel Jesus used to wipe dry his feet. Thomas, staring out the window as Passover begins. Nary a word spoken between them-all lost in their own thoughts. May you find time to be lost in your thoughts today.

What a weird way to save the world.

(I'm getting new carpet today, my room is empty too.)

Theme Thursday - EGG

We love to use Egg Shakers at the studio. There are many ways to play them as the video suggests. But I can only imagine the video we'd get if Maddelyn made it!