Today was a really fun class and we covered a lot of great stuff. Your kids did great! I really appreciate the upbeat and sweet personalities they bring to class. They are really good kids. Thanks for sharing them with me.

This email is a little long and is somewhat of a play at home pep talk, haha. First of all, please know that I'm rooting for you as the parents of my piano students and I'm here to help. I'm not giving this pep talk because I'm not seeing good things - - - I am! You kids are doing great! - - -  I just know that playing at home can get tricky and I wanted to mention some playing at home reminders.

Remember to not set the bar too high for achieving a tally in the little booklet. If they do something related to the assigned playing, they deserve a tally. It especially does not need to be played perfectly to get a tally. Mistakes are okay because that is how we learn - mark a tally even when they make a mistake then notice the mistake, try again, and mark another tally! Mistakes are HOW we learn. In my studio kids get credit for trying. We do not focus on perfection, we focus on progress.

Also, the description under each assigned song is a goal - not what they need to exactly do to get a tally. You are their parent and I trust your judgement in what can count as a tally. Meet your kid where they are at that day and do your best to a little something on each song at least 5 times a week. When they see and feel how simple it can be to get a tally, they'll be so much more motivated to keep going.

If there is a lot of resistance, struggle, or negativity when it comes to playing at home, come talk to me! I'm happy to hear more about your particular situation at home and think of tips/tricks that can help you and your child. Playing the piano is tough and these kids deserve a lot of encouragement and celebration for the things they do. Give that praise with words, other ways your kid feels loved, and be sure to use the tallies to show how proud you are of what they've done, even if it wasn't perfect and they just tried their best and did part of the song. The excitement associated with the visual feedback of seeing hard-earned tallies in their booklet can be powerful. That parental celebration, encouragement, and praise can create the kind of positive environment that will hopefully blossom into a greater desire to keep playing and learning more of whatever is assigned.

I told the kids this week to try and think of playing at home as PLAYING at home...not "practice". The word "practice" can have a negative connotation so try switching from saying, "It's time to practice the piano," to "it's time to play the piano." 

Next week is parent week! Come enjoy class with your kids! See you then. :) 

Song of Joy

After experiencing it with our bodies, your child is ready to execute this tricky upbeat rhythm with their fingers. This song is also an opportunity to play as part of an ensemble in class and to audiate the model in their head while playing on their own. 

Speaking of playing as an ensemble staff, check out this live instrument flash mob of Ode to Joy in Spain!

How's it going with your flashcards? Have you shuffled in the treble clef lines yet? Click here for an online game to quiz your student on all of the treble clef notes we have learned so far! 

I value open and honest communication so please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.

Thank you!