Robyn meets Old McDonald

 It's takes so little for our children to impress us with their accomplishments.  She's no Mozart but hey--it makes me happy!

It could be that her desire to play comes from the fact that she's watched piano students come in and out of our home since she was born.  So there was always someone playing the piano.  One day she asked me, "Can I be a piano student?"  Why not?!  I've never worked with a 4-yr. old before and I had no idea how she would take to "formal" lessons.  All I could do was offer the simplest book that I had stashed away in my vast library of method books.  Now, she plays everyday and needs no motivation to do so.   Her cooperation and interest as I teach new skills and concepts with her are very surprising.  I'm amazed that I have not had to exhaust myself coming up with crazy, creative ideas to get her to understand some musical concepts.  She just gets it.

It's fun to watch her excel at an instrument that is such a big part of my life!

Harry's Wondrous World

Yes, more Aidan. He's been my busy kid! He really blossomed in 4th grade.

He finished up the school year with his performance in my annual piano recital that took place yesterday.




Gotta say though, I take absolutely no credit for this performance! Aidan just plays for the fun of it now.

To all my other students: Congrats on your perfect performances last night!


Thanks for an awesome year!

Name that Tune

Yes, it's riddled with mistakes....nothing close to perfection. So why am I video taping Aidan's practice session? Maybe it's the absence of formal piano lessons (though it was quite successful for the few months that he had them). Maybe it's the self motivation. Maybe it's the fact that he's been happily at it for about an hour now. Aidan found this piece of sheet music on the internet tonight, printed it out and went to work on page 1 of a 5-page piece of music all without me knowing. So, I started to take notice. How far he has gotten in just one hour.

This excerpt is (almost) the whole first page:
(Robyn started screaming during the last line of it, so I cut that part)



I clearly have underestimated his talent and potential in the music department. I knew he could play, but I've seen this music and I had no idea he could plunk out some of the notes and chords written here. He's even using the pedal! I hope he sticks with it because this piece of music is one of our favorites...just never thought I'd see Aidan tackle it NOW. Hopefully one day I'll get to post the whole song!

Can anyone name the song he is practicing?

Bitter Sweet

This is how I chose to kick-off my summer! I've been busy preparing for our end-of the-year piano recital. I only had a few students for the year (I cut back after Robyn was born) so I guess this was an opportunity for me to really show how much I appreciate them.

So, among other things, I've been working on these fun creations:Yes. It was very tedious work. About two bags in I thought I'd never get them done. I started second guessing the vision that was dancing in my head concerning these bags. But, I sewed on. After finally finishing the last one just minutes ago I can indeed say that I'm surely giving myself a big pat on the back for this accomplishment. (and yes--on the handles are hairbows that I made for each of the girls). I am so pleased with how they turned out that I'm a bit anxious about giving them away tomorrow.

I hope that my students can appreciate them. Course, now I have to top this next year...oh great :-}

My Mini Mozarts

Yesterday, we hosted my very first piano recital for my students. It was a first not only for me but for my students as well. It was pretty casual, low-key and not so intimidating. I wanted it that way so none of us would feel too nervous. They all did a fantastic job and I was so impressed with how well it went.
This year I had less students then in the past partially due to the addition of little Robyn who takes up a bit more of my time at the moment. So, I have been unable to teach as many as I like (at one time I had over a dozen students).

I have to give a public "I LOVE YOU" to my wonderful husband who stuck by me and helped as I planned this event. Several hours before the recital he sent me 3 dozen roses to my front door wishing me luck!! I was completely surprised and speechless!! I think I just cried as I prepared them for a vase. The roses that you see on the table in the picture above are the ones he sent me. He's such an awesome guy!

Aidan playing Jingle Bells

I had to write up my own version of this piece because I was unable to find the perfect arrangement for him. NOTE: I missed the first few notes of Aidan's solo as he was too quick to get started...and I was a bit distracted being a piano teacher.

Anyway...our next recital is planned for June! I want it to be bigger and better. And I'm ready to enroll more students in January.

My New Outlet

These last two weeks my piano students began learning their pieces for our up and coming Christmas piano recital. Did I ever mention how much I LOVE Christmas music? I had such a blast searching for the piano music for these students that I found myself completely immersed in it. I decided I wanted some new Christmas music too! I love the piano arrangements that I come across. Some I toss out just because they aren't my style. And then there are some that I love playing so much because I get a major adrenaline rush every time I play them (even if they are riddled with mistakes). This morning I found my Christmas challenge for the season: Jon Schmidt's Christmas Medley (What Child is This, We Three Kings, Carol of the Bells). When I printed out the nine pages I started to get anxious. But, I just dove right in! And by the time I got to the end of page nine I had worked up quite a sweat! Total adrenaline rush...WOW! Okay, so the actual feeling is hard to explain...

With all the emotions that have been running through my veins as of late I desperately needed an outlet. I needed a new challenge of some sort. But, I was having a hard time finding it. If feels good to just let go. Playing and practicing a good piece of piano music does the trick for me!

Thanks Gayle for leading me to Jon Schmidt's music.

Organ 101

Here I was reminiscencing about my need to practice for this coming Sunday as I play the organ for our church meetings. I don't prepare for Sundays as well as I used to...which is a shame. Though I'm sure not a concert organist (far from it), I like to think I could be if I wanted. Years ago I had the privilege of sitting through a performance of The Spoken Word at the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, UT. This usually consist of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the organ along with some wonderful inspirational words. I watched the organist and the organ the whole time. One of my dreams is to play on that organ. Just one little hymn...all the verses! Course, I've only ever played on organs with two keyboards--not five. What a challenge...could be fun!

The organ at the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, UT

I've been thinking about me and the organ and came up with a few thoughts...all you really need to know to play:

1. The louder, the better (or so I've heard)!
2. The organ is meant for people with long legs!
3. Nobody cares if you mess up--if they even notice (like to see them try it).
4. WARNING: The congregation always sings TOO SLOW!
5. Prelude is really just a warm-up for you.
6. Postlude should be your fanfare...you made it through another meeting!
7. Short legs and pedals don't mix...but somehow I manage.
8. Check your stops...and check them twice.
9. The organ is easier to play than the piano.
10. Don't chicken out!! Play what you practice!
11. Don't be afraid to try something new!
12. The only notes that really matter are the ones written for the melody and the bass.
13. FYI: My favorite hymn to play is Redeemer of Israel (LDS Hymn #6)

My organ experience does not come from years of lessons or even years of practicing. I've been playing in church since 1996...everywhere my family has been, I've played. So, my experience only comes from that. I could not even begin to tell or show you all the things an organ can do. I remember being deathly afraid of it at first but after a while I learned to love it more than the piano. Organists are a rare species who are always needed. To all you wonderful pianists out there who haven't tried the organ...it won't bite. Promise you'll give it a REAL try. You might like it.

"Lead Me, Guide Me..."

I knew for a long time that Hunter could sing "I Am A Child of God" (along with many other songs). But, he would NEVER sing in earshot of anyone. So, it was quite a treat for all of us to have him not only sing this song, but sing two verses while I played (only v.2 is posted here). And he was very excited to do it. Certainly was a "goosebumps" moment for me! Now, if I can just get him to sing the other songs while I play.

Playing the Blues

Okay, if you didn't already know, I teach piano lessons. I'm kind of a quiet teacher...don't advertise much (if at all) and I get most of my students by word-of-mouth.

Here's my problem. How do I get my students to practice?! It seems every week we practice the same songs over and over again--just so we can repeat it all the next week. Don't they realize that we just went over those arpeggios last week--they left playing it perfectly then. What happens in seven days? It's as if last week never happened. Here are the best excuses that I've had (seriously):

1. The piano broke.
2. My sister used my book (who knows what for).

3. My fingers weren't working.

4. I didn't know that was for practicing!!

5. I practiced...in the car!
6. I had too much homework.

7. Oh, is that what that was for?

8. I don't get it.

9. I practiced...once.

My all-time favorite:

10. You didn't give me anything to practice!