Happy 2011! I can hardly believe that we are 11 years into this millennium already! After a relaxing holiday I am ready to get back into the groove and so is my family. Practice and homework routines have been revamped and we are all excited to tackle the next portion of the school year. Perhaps [...] Read more »
Archive for ‘Ms. Aimee’
Musical Snow Days!
FridayDec 10,2010
Music Box kids live in Canada close to one of the great lakes….chances are we will have a few snow days to deal with this winter. Already we have had to endure three in a row due to the largest snow event to hit us in a long time. This year is forecasted to be a doozie in terms of snowfall, [...] Read more »
Tellin’ it like it is.
FridayNov 26,2010
I had a parent approach me this week with some positive comments about their child’s progress. She was thrilled with how her little guy was able play and how it was so nice to hear actual music coming from the living room. “Practice really does work!” she said. We both laughed at that….I mean…of course [...] Read more »
Inspired by a Canadian gem.
FridayNov 19,2010
This month I had a Canadian composer visit my students and the students of a colleague. Tyler Seidenberg was born in Oakville and while in highschool began a compositional journey that culminated in a series of solos/duets for piano. His work is both interesting and challenging for the growing musician. I often hear “sweet” from students during an intro to [...] Read more »
Self diagnosing.
ThursdayOct 7,2010
I wouldn’t recommend trying to self diagnose if you are suffering from a physical ailment, but when students begin to tell ME why they are stumbling through a scale, why they keep missing a sharp or why the dynamics aren’t going quite right, you can bet I am doing the touchdown victory dance on the inside. Self [...] Read more »
The Long and the Short of it.
ThursdaySep 23,2010
Rhythm is a pretty important component of music. Without it, music would be pretty boring. For anyone out there who is not sure what rhythm is, sing any song…tap “the way the words go” on your knee…this is the rhythm. For many young musicians, rhythm is the trickiest part of a piece to master since [...] Read more »
On the beat
TuesdaySep 7,2010
Is your child having a hard time keeping a steady beat? When playing ensemble in class, are they struggling to stay in time? Difficulty in keeping a beat is relatively uncommon in my studio these days due to earlier exposure to formal music classes. Most of my new keyboard students have attended one or more [...] Read more »
Classical or Contemporary? Choice is good!
ThursdaySep 2,2010
When I was a young child, the music played in my home was largely country and rock or hymns. Of course I had my own music too…Sesame Street, Anne Murray’s Hippo in My Bathtub, Mother Goose Favourites and the like. There was always music playing or being played but I didn’t receive a great deal of exposure [...] Read more »
Ode to Music Students.
TuesdayAug 24,2010
Dust off those keys! Make a schedule for “play” You know, you should play almost every day! Clean out your bag…if you haven’t quite yet, There are more goodies coming from your teacher I bet. Wiggle your fingers and work out the creaks Warm up your singing voice, to avoid any squeaks and when the [...] Read more »
“FALL”ing into routine
SaturdayAug 21,2010
I hate to say it, but summer is almost at an end. As sad as it is to see it go, I am getting so excited for the return of my students, routine and the hustle and bustle of the music year. It can be difficult to transition from the lack-a-daisy schedule of the past [...] Read more »