Chrissy Ricker
  • Home
  • Publications
    • Piano collections
    • Pop & rock arrangements
    • Video game arrangements
    • Vocal music
    • Instrumental music
  • Search
    • Search my catalog!
  • About
  • Blog
  • Free Stuff
  • Contact

Battling Burnout: 5 Ideas to Jumpstart Your Musical Creativity

6/24/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
We’ve all gone through periods where we have felt less-than-inspired at the piano. Maybe you feel that you have lost the “spark” you once had for teaching, or maybe the idea of practicing a new piece just doesn’t hold the appeal that it once did?

Whatever the case may be, musical burnout is very real, and most musicians face it at one time or another! In today's blog post, I will be sharing 5 ideas that I have found helpful for battling burnout and rekindling my own creativity at the piano.

Keep reading to learn more…


Read More
0 Comments

New Piano Tutorial Video!

6/15/2022

2 Comments

 
I was honored to be invited by Musicnotes to create a special tutorial video for their new "Behind the Notes" YouTube channel! In this video, I walk pianists through 2 versions of Leonard Cohen's famous song "Hallelujah"--one for easy piano and one for intermediate piano!

The easy piano version introduces students to the melody, harmony, and form of this famous song. We'll talk about I, IV, V, and vi chords; inversions (and why we use them); and how broken chords can add interest to an arrangement.

In the intermediate piano version, I'll share a few tricks that arrangers use to create more sophisticated sounding arrangements!
You can find the sheet music for both versions I demonstrate in the video at Musicnotes, as well:
​
The easy piano version (including lyrics and chord symbols) is available HERE.
​The intermediate piano version is available HERE.

What do you think? Do you teach this song in your studio? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!
2 Comments

Happy Birthday, Edvard Grieg!

6/12/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture

​Did you know that this week marks the birthday of composer Edvard Grieg? Grieg was born on June 15th, 1843 in Bergen, Norway.

Through the years, I have played and taught many of Grieg's wonderful pieces--from easy arrangements of "Morning Mood" and "In the Hall of the Mountain King" from the Peer Gynt Suite, to his lovely Lyric Pieces for piano solo, to his exciting Piano Concerto in A minor. So today I am celebrating one of my favorite composers by sharing resources you can use to introduce your students to the music of Edvard Grieg!

Keep reading to learn how you can introduce your students to this famous composer....


Read More
0 Comments

Superhero arrangements for all levels!

6/5/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture

​Who doesn't love superheroes and their amazing theme songs?

​If you have a studio full of action movie, superhero-loving students, today's post is for you!

Read on to find arrangements from "The Avengers," "The Batman," "Superman," and more...for students at every level!


Read More
0 Comments

    Author

    Chrissy Ricker is a pianist, teacher, and composer from North Carolina. These are her thoughts on teaching, composing, and all things music.


    Looking for teaching ideas related to a specific topic? Use the "search" feature or scroll down to see blog posts organized by category!

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016

    Categories

    All
    2 Minute Teaching Tips
    Active Listening
    Composer Focus
    Composition
    Duets
    Ear Training
    Easter
    Fall/Halloween
    Free Stuff
    Friday Funny
    Games
    Group Classes
    Holiday Music
    Lesson Planning
    Living Composers
    Memorization
    Music For One Hand
    Music History
    Musicianship Monthly
    NFMC Selections
    Online Lessons
    Patriotic Music
    Performing
    Pop Arrangements
    Practicing
    Professional Development
    Repertoire
    Rhythm
    Rote Teaching
    Saint Patrick's Day
    Sight Reading
    Summer
    Technique
    Technology
    Thanksgiving
    Theory
    Tips For Teens
    Transposition
    Travel Teaching
    Valentine's Day
    Wedding Music
    Young Beginners

    RSS Feed

    Subscribe to my monthly newsletter to stay informed about my latest publications and free teacher resources. Once you subscribe below, a fresh newsletter will be delivered to your inbox on the first of each month!

    *Your email will never be shared or used for any other purpose besides this once-monthly newsletter, and you may unsubscribe at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of your newsletter email or contacting me HERE through my website. 

Subscribe
 © ​Copyright 2023 Chrissy Ricker. All Rights Reserved.