Chrissy Ricker
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Musicianship Monthly #18: Scale Skills Review

8/27/2022

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The start of a new school year means the return of the "Musicianship Monthly" series!

What is "Musicianship Monthly?" Each month, I share links to free resources you can use to focus on a specific musicianship skill with your students. Want to see past skills we have covered? Click HERE!

For September, we are focusing on a skill that is sure to have gotten a little rusty over the summer...scales!

​Keep reading for several free resources you can use to get your students reviewing their scales to kick off the year....


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The Fundamentals of Phrasing

3/25/2022

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Do you struggle with teaching phrasing? If so, you are not alone!

​Unlike wind players and vocalists, pianists don’t have to coordinate their breathing with the musical phrases they are playing. This makes teaching the concept (and importance) of phrasing to our students a bit more difficult.


In today’s post, I will be sharing tips for teaching phrasing, starting with fundamental skills that can be taught from the very first lesson. 

Keep reading for more about teaching the fundamentals of phrasing!


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Tips for Teaching Scales

2/12/2022

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We all know the importance of scales for both developing technique and understanding music theory. However, helping our students to master the major and minor scales--including remembering the correct key signature and finger pattern for each scale--can be a challenge!

Today I am sharing the process I use for introducing my students to scales at each level of musical development. I'll also be sharing a few tips, tricks, and free resources that you might find helpful with your students, too! 

Keep reading to learn more about how I teach scales!


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2 Minute Teaching Tip #8: Using "pop-its" to practice technique

6/23/2021

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​Has the "pop-it" craze caught on in your studio? Learn how to use the popular fidget toy to practice technique in today's teaching tip video!

Click "read more" to watch the video!


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2 Minute Teaching Tip #6: Warm-up exercises for beginners

4/12/2021

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​Do you have beginners that struggle with flying fingers or tension in their shoulders, arms, and hands? If so, check out these quick and easy exercises that will help students of all ages to develop body awareness and learn techniques to release tension at the piano.

Click "read more" to watch the video!


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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.


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

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