The Awesome Metronome!

Here are three reasons why musicians use the metronome:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXLKLCVgafg

The metronome isn't just for students. Professional musicians use metronomes all the time.  It's the quickest way to get a tune up to speed.  And it's used when recording different groups.

Look at these two videos where you'll see  music professionals using "click tracks" to perform.

In the Zelda video, you will see the conductor using a huge metronome!  Also, the choir members sang separately from the orchestra.  Their "click" tracks helped to synchronize with the orchestra.

In the "Funk You Up" Video, you will notice that there are many keyboards in the room.  Again, different tracks were recorded in the room.  It's too small for the horn players and singers, for example.  The drummer is reading notes, and yes, even he has a "click tracker."  The man at the keyboard is the arranger of the music.  If I remember correctly, the guitarist is playing without a click tracker.  I think he's improvising over the different tracks.

 Metronomes are awesome!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKYn4ACAd7s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRuM2rk2miQ

December Group Lesson

Our next group lesson is Wednesday, December 14, 5:30 p.m.

Piano Explorer:  A few days ago I was delighted to hear from one student who asked, "When are we going to get our new Piano Explorer?"  I've heard from a few parents that the magazine has launched their families into new music endeavors.  Parents are sharing the music they loved when they were teens/young adults.  They listen to music and share enjoyable conversations while cleaning up after supper, for example.  

In November students were given a  music timeline to place in their magazine notebooks.  This month we will listen to excerpts from music selections from Piano Explorer from September-December  (September: Mozart; October: Mussorgsky; November: Handel; December: Debussy).

The challenge will be:  

• After listening to selection, can you identify the composer and the name of the music?
• Can you identify the musical period: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern?

Record Report:  In October we discussed the mood of a piece:  is it happy, sad, joyful, scary, etc.  This month we will focus on dynamics:  is your music selection soft, loud, combinations of soft and loud?  Also, the music you select may have different instruments...  are you listening to an orchestra? ensemble? trio? vocal?  Use your ears to identify the different instruments in your music selection.

Ear Training: We will have no new ear training for this month.  Continue to work on second, third, and fifth intervals.

Upcoming Months: January/Winter, Duets
                                  February/Irish Music, Blues & Boogie-Woogie Music
                                  March/Spring Music/Romantic Music

December 2016

It's time for Jingle Bells, Ho! Ho! Ho! and Holiday Festivities!

This is the time of year when most of us are asked to play a few Christmas tunes or family favorites. When I was growing up, I would go to relatives' and friends' homes, and people would ask me to play. Unfortunately I couldn't, because I didn't bring my sheet music along!  I was too tied to my sheet music.

There are many simple Christmas tunes, however, that can be learned by ear.  First year students will learn Jingle Bells, and the rest of  the  students will learn one-to-three songs by ear: Away in a Manger, Silent Night, and Joy to the World.

This will be an opportunity for all students to learn music by ear, simple chord progressions and basic accompaniment patterns.  And an extra challenge: students who know several major scales will be asked to make simple music arrangements utilizing different keys and different styles of music.

Free Christmas sheet music may be found at 8 notes, https://www.8notes.com/piano/christmas/sheet_music/

Have fun!

November 2016

At our group meeting we discussed how to better utilize our Piano Explorer Magazine.  Some suggestions are:

1.     Make a Youtube playlist of the music suggested in your magazine.  Play the music while you are reading, studying, doing household chores.  This give you an opportunity to hear the music several times!

2.    Try to play the music in the magazine and have questions ready for your private lessons.  This gives you an opportunity to be your own teacher.  What is the time signature? key? notes? rhythms? phrases, etc.

3.    Make reading the magazine routine.  Put it as one of your tasks on your calendar!

4.    Families do one quiz per week and discuss at the dinner table

We are preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas music this month.  We will also have the opportunity to play at Aspen Ridge and Sombrillo Nursing Home.  When I have a date, I will let you all know.  Happy Thanksgiving!