Chrissy Ricker
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Musicianship Monthly for September

8/30/2021

6 Comments

 
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The Musicianship Monthly series is back! (Want to learn more about Musicianship Monthly and see past activities? Click HERE!)

Just like last year, each month I will be focusing on a different musicianship skill and giving you links to free resources you can use with your students! This gives you the opportunity to rotate through a variety of musicianship skills to supplement your lessons with students of all ages.

Last year, we covered a variety of topics, including lead sheet playing, transposing, guided composition, and sight-reading. What's up first for this year? A great skill to jump-start the new school year: PRACTICING!

Click "read more" for 3 free worksheets you can use this month to help develop your students' practice skills! 

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If you've been reading my blog for a while, you are probably already familiar with the concept of the practice cake.

​The purpose of the practice cake is: 1) To give students a logical process they can use to get started on any new piece; 2) To help make sure students don't overlook any important details in the music; and 3) To encourage students to self-assess as they practice by providing them with questions about each musical layer.

​The "practice cake" has gotten a snazzy update with this brand-new worksheet that I think is cleaner and easier for students to follow! Click HERE to get your free copy to share with your students!
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As students move toward the intermediate level, our practice focus turns to problem solving. I like to help students develop a toolbox of practice strategies that they can use when they encounter tricky sections in their music.

This "Roll the Dice!" worksheet gives students 6 practice strategies that they will find helpful in a variety of situations. Encourage students to isolate a tricky passage in their music, roll the dice, and use the given practice strategy to work on it!

Click HERE for your free copy.



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Sometimes we focus so much on practicing problem sections in our music that we forget that the process of performing a piece takes its own special kind of practice.

Use this worksheet to help your students get in the habit of practicing for performance on a regular basis!

​Click HERE for your free copy.
What do you think? How do you help your students to develop their practice skills? I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments!
6 Comments
Anna
9/1/2021 07:51:58 am

My teacher used to describe a setting, like a gently, babbling brook, or a hillside overlooking a valley....and she'd have me play the same piece, trying to portray each scene she'd laid out. I loved those moments of sitting for a couple of minutes just listening to her describe the scenery. Your "Get Stage-Ready" idea reminded me of this :D

Reply
Chrissy Ricker
9/1/2021 07:54:47 am

That's a great idea! Definitely a wonderful way to help students "get into character" before they play!

Reply
Amy Kendall
9/1/2021 09:46:45 am

I occasionally have asked students to tell the story. Once with an intermediate student she was playing for judges and was nervous awaiting her turn. The piece was something about "summer" so we imagined sitting on a beach, enjoying warm sunshine and a cool breeze. Not only did she relax but she played more artistically! Win/ win!

Reply
Chrissy Ricker
9/1/2021 10:18:48 am

Awesome! What a great way to mentally prepare for a performance!

Reply
Elizabeth
9/1/2021 10:22:42 am

Love all of these great teaching aids! It will be interesting to find out which students connect more with each idea.
Thank you for all you do to help teachers!

Reply
Chrissy Ricker
9/1/2021 10:28:49 am

You are very welcome, Elizabeth! I hope your students enjoy these!

Reply

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    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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