I teased last week about a fun new twist on the Whack-it games Natalie from www.musicmattersblog.com invented.  You can see her versions of those games here and here.  These games are such hits with my students, so we’re always playing them.  I did a small group lesson last week and wanted to find a way to play the game with two players. 

Each student will need a spatula (this is their favorite part of the game).

Each student also needs a deck of flashcards.  I take 20 cards out and split them into two piles of 10.

The students sit side by side.  The teacher sits facing them.  At the teacher’s signal, (I smack my hands on the floor, but a bell or buzzer would be fun too) the students race each other to whack their card with the spatula and correctly identify their note. 

Whoever gets the note correct first moves the card aside.  The other person keeps the card at the top of his/her pile.

The teacher gives another signal and the students race again.  The game is over when one student successfully moves through his/her pile of flashcards.

When it’s all done, switch decks of cards and play again!

I had a great Students Only Recital this past week. 

My aim in doing a recital just for students was twofold.

1. To make performing less stressful.  The students were slightly nervous when they got to my house.  They would be performing, after all!  But as they walked in, I handed them a number.  They then were allowed to sit wherever they wanted.  Both these factors eased fears, since students are used to sitting in a designated spot and holding a program at regular recitals.  I allowed each student to start with one piece.  When everyone had finished their pieces, I asked if anyone wanted to play another.  Two non-shy hands shot up right away.  Motivated by those successes, several shy hands raised into the air as well.  Mostly everyone ended up playing two pieces- one they had prepared for and one they had not.  These spontaneous performances helped my students feel comfortable around each other.  They were able to actually experience the FUN of performing!
2. To create a cameraderie amongst students.  I’ve said this before.  I think it’s important that students have friends in music.  There are many reasons- they can motivate each other to keep going, they can help each other aspire to be better, they can create music together.  So a large part of my recital was devoted to meeting each other and getting to know each other’s names.

After everyone performed, we sat in a circle on the floor.  We started tap/clapping a simple beat: Hit legs, clap, hit legs, clap… We then went around the room, and said each person’s name in rhythm.

Rebecca

Hit legs, clap

James

Hit legs, clap

and so on.

Everyone did a good job.  My youngest student, a 5 year old, had a little trouble keeping the beat.  However, I anticipated this, and sat next to him so I could help.

After we played that game, we played another silly name games that had the kids literally rolling on the floor in hysterics.  I’m sure you’ve heard this game.  Each person chooses an animal that starts with the first letter of her name.  I was Rebecca Rabbit.  Then, each person goes around the room taking a turn at trying to remember everyone’s name and animal.

Such a simple game, but the silly laughs everyone shared really brought my students together!

I have asked each student this week if they can name everyone who was at the recital.  Everybody (even the 5 year old) has been able to do it!

Have you ever done a Students Only Recital?

I’ve been out of town on a whirlwind vacation, and am still putting myself back together!  Thanks for being patient with me while I get back into the swing of things!

Really quick, before I head off to unpack and then teach some lessons, I wanted to share this really cute idea for making a cake shaped like piano keys.  I don’t want to take the pictures from the blog, so I will just leave the link here for you to visit.  It’s very cute and looks really easy!  Let me know what you think!

http://partyperfectblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/clever-keyboard-cake.html

My piano teacher from my high school days would probably be shocked to know that I used to think she only listened to classical music.

I remember well the day that she casually mentioned liking some popular rock group during a lesson.  I think my jaw dropped to the floor.  I didn’t think classical piano teachers were ALLOWED to listen to anything but classical music.

Now, as a piano teacher, I wonder if any of my students hold the same view towards me.  I wonder if they would be surprised to hear my pre-set rock radio stations in my car or take a peek in my many CD boxes filled with rock music from today (and from my high school days) that they probably adore.

Would your students be suprised at some of your listening choices?

Enter the giveaway HERE

I’m doing my first Student Only Recital (meaning, no parents allowed) at the end of this summer.  I want this to be an opportunity for my students to perform for each other in a relaxed setting, as well as get to know each other.

Have you ever done a Student Only Recital?  Do you have any advice?  How about “getting to know you” games?

I just LOVED the thoughtful responses I got from last week’s giveaway. 

I asked for your favorite things and least favorite things about teaching.  So many of you said your favorite things are when you see your students “getting it,” when they move on to be real musicians, and when they are excited. 

So many of you said your least favorite things are dealing with unhelpful parents, the business side of things, and students who don’t practice.

It was fun to read those comments, because they mirrored my own feelings!  I love when my students succeed, and when they are excited.  I love when I don’t have to urge them to practice.  I love when they are so excited about a piece that they move on from what I’ve assigned, and teach themselves more!

I absolutely detest the business end of piano teaching- collecting money, scheduling recitals, etc.  But I’m learning to deal with it!

And I was so pleased to discover that many of you love the color purple!  I’m also a purple lover, so I love you all!

If you didn’t get a chance to read the comments, go here.  They’re fun! 

And don’t forget to comment to win this week’s giveaway HERE!

I’m sure you ran to the computer this morning to see if I posted the giveaway I teased about yesterday.  I wouldn’t even be surprised if you lost sleep over it.  And for that, I am sorry.  But, tonight, you can get some good rest, comfortable in your knowledge of the fantastic giveaway here at Piano Teacher’s Retreat.

Discountlessonbooks, a great website that offers savings on all method books and teaching materials, is doing another great giveaway! 

This week, you can win the complete Mozart Sonatas and Fantasies for the piano, edited by Broder.  You can see the list of those sonatas and fantasies here.

If you win, you don’t even have to share this giveaway with your students.  (I wouldn’t!)

To win: Leave a comment on this post, telling me any or all of the following:  1. your favorite thing about teaching, 2. your least favorite thing about teaching, 3. your favorite composer to play, 4. your favorite color, or 5. your favorite thing about me.  (That last one was a joke, of course.)

The results of the giveaway will be announced June 22.  As always, you can get extra entries for blogging about this giveaway or sending a friend to comment.

Thanks for reading!

My recital was last Saturday.  It was magnificent.  I finally have students who are close to advanced level, so they were able to play some really impressive sounding pieces.  Those students knocked the socks off of my newest students’ parents, which is a great thing.  You always want those new-to-piano parents to know that you’re worth it.

My piece went well (you all helped me pick Brahms’ Intermezzo, and I just adored learning it!), although I played it with the music, instead of memorized.  It’s not my fault, though.  You see, my husband had shoulder surgery about a month ago, and his child care skills were severely reduced for a while.

Consequently, during my crucial memorizing time, I had no one to watch my daughter so I could practice.  All is well, though.  I felt much better with the music anyway!

I did, however, make one gigantic mistake in preparation for the recital.  I sent out one note announcing the recital to be at 1:30, and another announcing the recital to be at 1:00.  I didn’t realize it until the week of the recital, so all last week was spent frantically calling and emailing everyone of the CORRECT time.  Thankfully, everybody made it on time!  I have delegated recital planning responsibilities to my husband from now on.

How did your spring recitals go?  Any major goofups?  Any great successes?  Did you perform?

You know those Hello…My name is… nametags?

I’ve been using them for a fun and silly way to recognize good effort.  My nametags just say Hello…(minus the My Name Is…)

When somebody does something exceptional, I write in on a nametag and have them wear it during and after lessons. 

For example, Hello…I’m a Dynamic Queen.

-or-

Hello…I practiced every day this week.

-or-

Hello…I’ve got rhythm

-or-

Hello…I listened to everything my piano teacher said  (Haven’t actually been able to use that one yet.  Wouldn’t that be nice?)

The kids think it’s funny and love to show off to their parents.

Are you doing anything fun with your lessons this summer?  I offered my students 4 choices. 

1. Duet lessons with another student
2. Composition lessons
3. Improvisation lessons
4. Pop/jazz/any type of music lessons

Duet lessons and jazz lessons were the most popular choices.  Nobody was interested in improvisation.  2 were interested in composition lessons, but duet lessons won out with those two. 

I’m excited to change the pace a little bit.  And also to find some new jazz and duet music!  Any suggestions?