Student in the Young Artist Piano Program (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Had a very enlightening conversation with a level 5 piano student yesterday.  She’s in that predictable place, between boredom and laziness that seem to plague so many students at that level.

As I always do in these situations, I had a meaningful “conversation” with her – reminding her that the “prize” of finishing is just around the corner – with all the benefits and accolades that come with graduating level 6 piano.

I kept it simple – but reminded her that every student that I’ve ever taught usually has a “melt-down” very near the end.  It’s normal.

Have you ever felt like quitting?  Just giving up?  Throwing in the towel?

I have many times.  I’m so glad I didn’t.  The benefits to reading music are HUGE.  The best and most important benefit for me is the ability to sight-read music for my vocal students to sing.  If I were not proficient at this skill – the lessons would be hard and would lack something very important.  I know this from experience.  In college, while pursuing my music major in vocal performance, my vocal coach could NOT play the piano.  She had her vocal degree, but could not play!  So frustrating for both of us.

I also found it very useful while doing my undergraduate studies in music.  Because I had piano lessons since I was a small child – I had also had the theory.  Theory is very important while studying music in college – and I was able to pass the first test to place me in a theory class appropriate for me – and was able to forego other music classes that some of my classmates had to take.  I was also able to READ music – so when having to pass sight-reading proficiency tests – I was able to do this without much practice – while others had to struggle and spend HOURS at the piano.

This does not mean much to a 10-year-old – but I tell them that some day it will.

Don’t Give Up!  It will be worth it – I promise.

God Bless

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Vowels (Photo credit: fugitive247)

Yesterday while watching “The Voice” I got a great little “tip” from Robin Thicke, who was a guest artist of Adam Levine this last week. Robin was coaching one of the guys on Adam’s team and demonstrating the “E” vowel while singing.  He showed him by singing it from the diaphragm and then telling him, “never throw away a vowel”.

In the last couple of weeks I have been working on this same concept with my vocal students.  How easy it is to “throw away” a note – especially one too high, too low or in the “break”.  Instead of taking a position of submission on these difficult notes – I want to encourage you to get a bigger breath and actually use that diaphragm muscle to keep you from the temptation of “throwing away” that vowel.

Lean into that note – well supported and you will be amazed at the results!

Only throw away a sound if it is a second syllable in a word – and then be very careful how you are doing that.  Word enunciation is vital – especially when singing – because singing is just very slow talking.  We throw a lot of words away when we speak and we become sloppy about enunciation.  We cannot do this when we sing – everything is very exposed.

It takes practice – but everyone can be great with the right tools in your tool belt of singing – jaw relaxed and open, use the diaphragm for every breath and don’t throw away your vowels.

God Bless

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Piano (Photo credit: esc861)

Most of my young piano students are not ready yet to accompany other people, but someday they will be.

There are a couple of key things that need to happen when finding yourself ready to take that next step beyond just playing a piano solo or piano duet.

This next step requires two things:

1) Excellent timing

and

2) Being willing to stay in the background

Sound simple?  It’s not.  You are there as a support to the vocalist, not the other way around – and your skill must be precise and also flexible or you won’t make it.

When my piano students are in level 3 or 4 I start singing the song that they have learned well from the solo book – this does a couple of things for them:

1) Pushes them to count

2) Makes them follow

They do not like it – they want to play it the way they want - any speed with any counting - but with me forcing them to accompany me – they can’t cheat :)  I have them do piano duets with me for the same reason and although it’s difficult – it WORKS!

Ever heard someone accompany someone and they were too loud or too fast?  It spoils it for the person singing and for the audience.

Can you learn to play and be a support only for others?  Can you remain in the background even though you can really play?  Can you discipline yourself to count and keep up with someone else?  If you can – you will be a great accompanist some day!

God Bless

Image via Wikipedia

This last week of piano lessons had me a little frustrated and so I found myself doling out little “words of wisdom” to my students.  I occasionally take real life situations and apply them – so they can relate and adjust their thinking when it comes to concepts hard to grasp and put into practice.

One such concept:  Key Signatures

For beginning piano students they are tricky and hard to remember.  The piano series that I teach out of, does a very good job of taking the student through each key – starting with the easy one – key of C with no sharps and flats – and then working up to one sharp, key of G, and one flat, key of F.  When more sharps and flats are added in – about level 3 I begin to see problems.

Here is a little tip:

When you sit down to begin practicing a new piece of music – the first thing you MUST do is take note of the key signature.  It is your map for the entire piece of music and unless specified – it does not change.  You need to take a mental “snapshot” of which sharps and flats you need to play – and never waver from that while playing the song.

Do mistakes happen?

Of course!

Here’s another little tip:

Only allow yourself one mistake at the beginning – and then say to yourself, “I’ve had my one mistake and no more allowed for this piece”

It is okay to make mistakes – I make them all the time.  The difference is – I hardly ever make the same mistake twice.  I learn from mine and use it to get better for the next time.  This is where some students fail to get ahead – they are allowing their past “one mistake” to be played over and over again, reenforcing bad habits.

If you will try this – you will be better and your skills will improve!

Now go and make it a “one mistake” day!

Cindy

Image by zaui via Flickr

Well – another Christmas season behind us – another successful recital tucked away and safely preserved.

And now – it’s back to basics.

Back to a regular schedule – if not with school – at least with piano practicing.

I want to encourage you to continue to play Christmas music that you’ve learned – and have some fun learning some new carols too!  While you have this last week before school starts again – and you have a little extra time

It’s nice to see each one of you this week!

God Bless!

Every performance has been carefully preserved in two places for safe keeping.  My video equipment and piano have changed since then – buying that Sony digital camera was the best decision we ever made – the audio is AMAZING!  - and 6 or 7 years ago – my Dad bought me a Roland digital piano – which has been a life-saver for transposing music for voice students – plus it has all the bells and whistles for playing for piano students.

Another change has been the venue where we hold the recitals twice a year.  Three years ago we started renting out a little church in our neighborhood.  It’s picturesque location has been lovely and cathedral ceiling in the sanctuary, have made the sound really AWESOME!

I have been posting past performance on my music page via Facebook.  Look me up!  http://www.facebook.com/cindysmusicstudio

God Bless!

The date:  Thursday, December 8th

Time: 7-8:30 pm

Place:  Fairwood United Methodist Church

15255 SE Fairwood Blvd

Renton, WA

If you’re in the area and would love to stop by – we would love to have you!  Bring your favorite Christmas cookies or snack to share for a reception immediately following the recital.

Enjoy!

Image via Wikipedia

If you haven’t heard of this little girl, Jackie Evancho – you soon will. I watched a live concert of hers the other night on PBS and the last song was this one – and it was the most impressive. Written by Puccini – Nessun Dorma means “None Shall Sleep” and was written for a tenor to sing in the Opera, Turandot. Some of the most beautiful melodies ever written come from Puccini – and I think you will agree. And when Jackie smiles half way into the performance – you can see she is just a 11-year-old girl, after all – not a grown up as her voice would indicate – and it’s very cute.  Hard to believe – she is just 11 years old.

I call this – remarkable.

What were you doing when you were 11?

Enjoy and God Bless!

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Image by ~Bob~West~ via Flickr

My friend Carla featured this on her blog today at The Reluctant WAHM.  I was so inspired by it – I just had to share it with you parents and students – it hopes that it will truly inspire YOU too!!

When I teach students – and at first they can’t stop staring at their fingers on the keys – instead of keeping their eyes fixed on their music – I tell them to feel with their fingers – like their fingers are actually their eyes.   I have used Stevie Wonder as an example – but now I have an even better one.  This young man is amazing.  I hope you will find his story more than remarkable – he is a miracle.  His name is Patrick Henry Hughes – and he will bless you today.

Think you can’t play the piano – with your sight intact?  Think again.

Enjoy and God Bless