Week 7, Post 2: Rethinking the First Lesson

I thought this was an interesting blog post on how to build upon the motivation and excitement of a new student at their firist lesson.

http://colorinmypiano.com/2011/04/21/rethinking-the-students-first-lesson/#more-3851

Week 7, Post 1: Teaching Improvisation and Composition

As a product of old school traditional training, I find that my personal music making and teaching usually lacks the creativity to explore improvisation or composition with my students.  I am not sure why, but if it's not written out for me on a page, I find it to be quite intimidating.  As a teacher, I think it's important that I foster this creativity in my students so they don't develop the same fears of creating music without a score.

http://musicteacherhub.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/piano-teaching-resources-teaching-music-improvisation-and-composition-from-a-familiar-starting-point/

Week 6, Post 3: I thought this was interesting...

I saw a brief interview with this young performer on the Today Show this morning.  I thought he was quite interesting and could be a way to convey to students that classical music can be edgy and cool.  Dubbed by one of my co-workers as "the male Lady Gaga," this is Hahn-Bin.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/42717917#42717917

Week 6, Post 2: Babies and Music

I am sure we have all seen even the youngest child react to music.  My nephew, Cooper, has a love of dancing.  The lil' guy would dance before he could even stand up, if there was music on  then he was moving to the beat (as much on the beat as an infant could be).  Check out this video, it may be real evidence or it may just be coincidence, but either way it's interesting and cute! 

http://musiccognition.blogspot.com/2010/04/anecdotal-or-real.html

Week 6, Post 1: It's ok to embrace failure

I remember when I first started teaching tath even after nearly 4 years of working in early childhood education, I was still very scared about messing up!!  But I will say in the few years that I have been working, if there is one thing I have learned, it's that the best way to learn is to admit your mistakes and learn how to adjust moving forward. 

http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/lose-the-training-wheels-and-embrace-failure/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SoYouWantToTeach+%28So+You+Want+To+Teach%3F%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Week 5, Post 2: Interesting Survey about Obstacles to Technology in Schools

I thought this survey was quite interesting, they interviewed students, parents, teachers, and administrators in regards to technology use in schools.  The most astonishing fact that I found...  20% of K-2 students said that they own a cell phone!  What?  Read on for more interesting tidbits...

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/what_do_kids_say_is_the_biggest_obstacle_to_techno.php

Week 5, Post 1: Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir

This nealy brought tears to my eyes... perhaps it's just me, but this is an example of technology at it's best.  Check out Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir.

http://www.thomasjwestmusic.com/apps/blog/show/6644903-eric-whitacre-s-virtual-choir-2011-connects-us-in-important-new-ways

Week 4, Post 3: JAM

April is Jazz Appreciation Month, the Smithsonian has an abundance of resources and this year's theme is Women in Jazz!!

http://www.smithsonianjazz.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11&Itemid=12

Week 4, Post 2: Ohio Native and Kent State Graduate

This isn't completely applicable to the class at hand, but Tom Batiuk is a native of Akron, OH, a graduate of Kent State University, and cartoonist!  He's been creating art work for the MENC website....

http://www.menc.org/news/view/tom-batiuk-offers-a-new-visit-to-halle-dinkle-s-general-music-classroom/

Week 4, Post 1: Speech from Kevin Spacey on the Importance of the Arts

http://teachingmusic.posterous.com/arts-advocacy-2011-kevin-spacey

Of course, none of us need a reminder of how important the arts are, especially in education, but this is a great reminder for those who still need convincing.

Bicycle Built for Two

http://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/f3ffbf943a2b04124531f8815e11111e340ca667

Here is my version of "A Bicycle Built for Two"!  I liked the Noteflight program, I felt that it was easy to navigate, simple to use, and surprisingly quick!  Although, I think I prefer the MIDI entry method that we utilized in MuseScore.  I would definitely see myself putting this to use in my teaching.  It could be used for many of the same purposes as MuseScore, but specifically could be useful for creating easy piano parts for my students.  I find that often students want to play pieces that are out of their current technical reach and having the ability to create a simplified version for them could be extremely motivating and fun for the students!  Not to mention that a program such as this makes arranging and composition easy, fun, and reachable for a young music student!  Kids these days also appreciate the instant gratification of being able to hear their work!

Week 3, Post 2: Newborns and Music

I thought this was quite interesting.  Some of what the blog mentions in regards to infants being able to recall rhythm and melodies that are familiar reminded me of the Suzuki method.  Perhaps Suzuki training should start in the womb??  Just food for thought....

http://musiccognition.blogspot.com/2011/03/can-infants-recognize-melodies-heard-in.html

Week 3, Post 1: "The Glee Effect"

I am personally not a fan of Glee, I have tried, unsuccessfully, to watch it a couple of times, but have never really gotten attached.  I thought this press release was interesting though on the effect that a show such as Glee can have on music programs across America.

http://www.menc.org/news/view/press-release-glee-making-a-difference-for-america-s-music-students/

Attributes of Great Teachers

Irregardless of teaching styles, there are a few qualities that great teachers share, here they are!

http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/being-inspired-by-great-teachers/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SoYouWantToTeach+%28So+You+Want+To+Teach%3F%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

A few good quotes for music educators

I stumbled upon a blog specifically angled towards studio owners and administrators, I was thrilled!  Here are a few worthwhile quotes from Ernst Bacon on music and teaching.\

http://studiohelper.com/blog/staff-management/food-for-thought-quotes-for-the-studio/#more-935

Fostering Motivation in Students

On nearly a weekly basis, parents approach me to discuss practicing and how their child doesn't like to do it (shocking, I know).  Here's a blog entry on motivating students, there is also a link in the entry to another article on practice incentives, both were very informative and useful!

http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/2009/08/05/how-to-motivate-your-students/

Learning at Different Ages

This is just a short blog post that discusses how students approach learning differently at different ages.  Keeping this in mind can be extremely helpful for those days when we encounter students of varying ages.

http://www.pianoteacherblog.com/2009/08/27/more-great-stuff-from-randall-faber/