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My New Year’s Resolution: Rediscovering the Joy of Music

12/31/2017

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This Christmas break, I stumbled across one of my favorite childhood memories on Netflix—Bob Ross.

In case you aren’t familiar, Bob Ross was a painter and art instructor who hosted a show called “The Joy of Painting” that aired on public television in the United States from 1983 to 1994. Soft-spoken and encouraging, he inspired thousands of people to paint their own masterpieces using basic paints and brushes and simple painting techniques.

​
I am no artist, but watching Bob Ross paint made me think I could be. His calm, simple instructions walked viewers step-by–step through the process of creating a work of art. He demystified the process of painting, emphasizing to his audience that anyone could paint. As Ross once told a reporter, “Traditionally, art has been for the select few. We have been brainwashed to believe that Michelangelo had to pat you on the head at birth. Well, we show people that anybody can paint a picture that they're proud of. It may never hang in the Smithsonian, but it will certainly be something that they'll hang in their home and be proud of.  And that's what it's all about.”

Re-watching these episodes as an adult, I am struck by the similarities between Ross’s philosophy towards art and my own philosophy as a piano teacher. I love the little nuggets of wisdom that Bob Ross sprinkles throughout each episode as he paints. A few of my favorites:

“We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” Isn’t this what we want our students to remember, particularly as they explore improvisation and composition?

“Talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you're willing to practice, you can do.” If only more people understood this, instead of thinking that musical talent is something you must be born with!

“I can't think of anything more rewarding than being able to express yourself to others through painting. Exercising the imagination, experimenting with talents, being creative; these things, to me, are truly the windows to your soul.” Replace the word “painting” with the word “music” and I think this sums up why many of us became piano teachers.

To paraphrase Bob Ross, I believe that every student has the potential to be a musician—that the joy of music is in itself a worthy pursuit and enriches each student’s life. Not every student will go on to be a concert pianist, but every student can experience the pure joy that comes from expressing oneself through music. And, as Bob Ross himself said, “that’s what it’s all about.”

So, this coming year, my resolution is to help my students to discover the joy of music. I will strive to make each lesson an opportunity for my students to both learn something new and do something fun. I will encourage my students to listen to new music and discover composers that move them. I will help my students to find repertoire that they love; repertoire that helps them to stretch their technical limits and spread their artistic wings. I will make it my mission to help my students to discover the music inside of them, in whatever form it might take.

To quote Bob Ross: “Look around. Look at what we have. Beauty is everywhere—you only have to look to see it.” May the coming year be full of beautiful music for you and your students!

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'Twas the week before Christmas...

12/17/2017

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...And there's so much to do--
students are restless, and teachers are, too! 


I don't know about you, but with holiday performances done and school almost out for winter break, around here the focus is on reviewing music and practicing theory concepts with fun, holiday-themed games! If you are looking for a few fun, easy ideas for your lessons this week, consider these:


  • Prepare a list of pieces for students to share with their families over the holiday break. Each of my students has been compiling a repertoire list of holiday pieces they can play for friends and family this season, so we will spend time at our lessons this week adding to our list and reviewing our favorites. This is a perfect time of year to share the gift of music with others.
  • Record a holiday song to share. The past couple of years, I have been inviting students to record their favorite holiday piece at their last lesson of the year. I then email the recording to each student's parents so it can be shared with out-of-town family this holiday season. It has been a good, low-pressure performance goal for my students to work towards!
  • Use one of my free holiday-themed worksheets. I blogged about these worksheets HERE--they make great lesson activities for practicing ear training, transposing, sight-reading, or improv!
  • Do a Christmas song puzzle. A new activity I am planning to do this week is to take a couple of familiar Christmas songs (I like the free, public domain music at G Major Music Theory found HERE for this purpose) and cut up the measures so that students have to put them in the correct order and play them. This will be great practice for sight-reading and ear training!
  • Play Christmas-themed Note Rush on the iPad. If you aren't familiar with Note Rush, it is a wonderful app that helps students practice their note-reading skills. Notes are shown on the staff which students have to play correctly on the piano. The app has a cute Christmas theme this time of year, with the notes shaped like snowflakes, ornaments, and Christmas trees--it has been a big hit with my students!

Do you have any special holiday-themed activities planned for your students this week? Please share in the comments!

Wishing you and your students all the best in this magical, musical holiday season! 



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Common Left Hand Accompaniment Patterns: A Chart

12/8/2017

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'Tis the season for holiday arrangements! My studio is filled each day with the sounds of old friends like "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night." My students are always excited to play their favorite familiar holiday tunes.

Although I love holiday music, there is such a thing as too much "Jingle Bells!" To keep things fresh, I am always looking for ways to help my students spice up these old favorites by creating their own unique arrangements. So, today I am sharing a chart with a few simple left hand accompaniment patterns that your students can use to help freshen up their favorite holiday songs (or any other tune they like).

​Whether your students are playing from lead sheets, filling out a simple arrangement, or just looking for ways to add variety to repeated verses of carols--this chart can be a helpful tool.

Click HERE to download your free common left hand pattern sheet. Happy holidays!

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    Author

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


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