A Pinterest Board

I love finding neat resources from other musicians and especially music teachers.  Recently, I put this pinterest board on my "save now, read later" list, and today finally looked at it.  Lynnette has a lot of other great music boards, so I'll have lots of fun when I get to my "read later" list!

There are some great free sheet music links here:

http://www.pinterest.com/lynnetteemme/sheet-music/

Scales and Great Performers

I find great fodder for blogging in the trenches of piano teaching.  Today's subject is entirely ordinary - but it makes for extraordinary musicians.  And instead of just pasting my rather dry links to exercise charts, let me relate the inimitable way my best piano teacher, Dave Clark, describes the world's greatest musicians:

1) they know their scales
2) they know more than one instrument
3) they dress funny.

Now on to the dry stuff: I needed to find printable scales for a student to practice from.  Using a book for this is a sure way to kill the binding, so a few pages printed is worth the effort: 


Major Scales Chart 
(except Ab, go here for that one)

Natural Minor Scales Chart


Go here to view images of keyboards to see which keys to play
in either major or minor scales.

The liberating, terrifying realities of deliberate practice (and the 6 best deliberate practice books)

I highly recommend that older music students read one of these books.  But for starters, just read the  article:



The liberating, terrifying realities of deliberate practice (and the 6 best deliberate practice books)

 Of course honing practice skills would benefit anyone in any field (it's just practical ;)  ! 

Holst's The Planets

 Article :  Majesty in Motion: Gustav Holst’s The Planets

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this expose on The Planets, a symphonic work with which I was only just familiar.  I first heard the theme of Jupiter sung by world famous child soprano Charlotte Church in the song, "I Vow to Thee, my Country" and later found the tune used for the hymn, "O God Beyond All Praising" in the Trinity Hymnal.   The tune is magnificent and enjoyably singable.  

 

Great Resource of Thoughtful Articles

http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/category/culture

These articles explore musical culture with great whim and expertise.  I will feature my favorites at different times on this blog.  

Art Philosophy & Criticism ( and a New Album)

I loved reading Gregory Wilbur's thoughts on the arts.  While non-Christians may find Biblical teaching irrelevant, aesthetics are still an obvious and worthy study.


CREDO
I believe that beauty is an attribute of God and is therefore a theological issue.
I believe that beauty and excellence are objective and that the Bible provides the standard for what is beautiful and excellent.
I believe...  Read more.

YouTube Sensation: Kyle Landry

http://kylelandry.com

This pianist and arranger (perhaps composer too?) is one of my new favorites.  His performances are stellar, though every time I see him sitting so cramped up and close to the keys I just want to give him a pull back so he's not so uncomfortable!  He offers many arrangements for free, so go get some free sheet music!!

http://kylelandry.com

Article: Music Teaching Philosophy

 A parent shared found this interesting article on Music Teaching interesting from the The Parents' Review,  A Monthly Magazine of Home-Training and Culture, edited by Charlotte Mason.   A philosophy of music teaching that is worth reading! 
And teaching in general, as seen from the  motto of the magazine, 

"Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life."

______________________________________

ALL Music symbols Source Document

Here you go, if you are in a pinch, and have no way other than drawing and taking a picture, you can snip and paste an obscure symbol off of this chart.   Since I like using noteflight.com for typing up music, or at least get a start on there, I have not used this "music symbols source document" yet.

I've played from a lot of sheet music, folks, and I can tell you, about 3/4 of these symbols you'll never encounter! Unless your specialty is modern atonal and avant garde instrumental compositions from obscure academic composers. 

How and Where to Look for a Piano, Part 1

[Note: I forgot this post and left it unpublished from almost a year ago, but the information is still great!]

Looking for a piano?  These resources may help:

 Finding Your Piano - Types and Brands  

Guide to Buying a Piano

  I came across this since I've been looking for a piano in hopes of keeping it at the Homeschool Resource Center in Brandon.  My piano (an antique Henry F. Miller Grand) is wonderful, and I should tell the story of how I got it sometime.  It was a word-of-mouth sale. The owner told piano teachers in her area she was selling.

The most important advice you need to know about buying used is: have a trusted piano technician check it out before buying.  Factor this cost before buying.

Where to look for a piano:

Ebay.com

Ebay Classifieds

CraigsList.org

Ask churches - many have pianos gathering dust in spare rooms.
Ask piano teachers.
Find used piano distributors, either in the phone book or through new piano distributors.

Hooked on Classics

Something for everyone!  A medley of the world's favorite classics.  In the version he taught me years ago, Dave Clark altered the Beethoven 5th and added in the Rhapsody in Blue theme.  We did it as an adaptation, using what was written note wise, and the chord symbols given.  Always fun!

Piano Classics Volumes I and II - Intermediate pieces reference

I went through the two volumes of this wonderful and affordable Piano Classics collection, searching for intermediate and advanced pieces to teach.

Volume 1                   

Albeniz Malaguena

Bach

Four Pieces for The Little Notebook

Prelude No. 1 from the The Well-Tempered Clavier

Air from the Suite in D Major

Beethoven: Fur Elise

Moonlight Sonata mvt. 1

Rondo A Capriccio  - Rage over  op. 129

6 Variations from the opera La Molinara

Hungarian Dance No. 5  -  Brahms

Chopin:

Valse Op 64 No. 2

Nocturne Op. 72 no. 1

Nocturne in E Flat Op 9 No. 2

Prelude OP. 28  No. 6

Valse Op. 64 No. 1

Le Coucou  Daquin 

Nocturne Field  in Bb

Rondino in C Diabelli

Poem in Bb Fibich  d. 1900

Anitra’s Dance pg 1  Grieg

Gavotte in D  F.  Gossec Classical Era

A` Alfredo G. Faria Playera  Granados

Air And Variations Handel in E 

The Harmonious Black smith from Suite No. 5

Haydn Sonata in D Major

Joplin The Cascades

The Music Box O. 32  liadov

To a Wild Rose MacDowell

Alla Turca?

Sonata K 545  Mozart in C

Fantasy in D minor k 397

Barcarolle from the Tales of Hoffman  J. Offenbach

Peter and The wolf   Prokofieff

La Tambourin  Rameau

Song of India  Korsakov

Italian Song  Op 39 No. 15  Tchaikovsky

Serenade   DUET    Schubert

Moment Musical  op 94  No 3  Schubert

Soldier’s March Schumann  & :

Marche Militiare

The Happy Farmer from Album of the Young

Traumeri

(DUET)

The Beautiful Blue Danube

Vol 2

Prelude No. 2 from 12 Little Preludes

2 pt Invention No. 8

2 pt Invention No. 4

Sonatina No. 1 in G Major

Sonatina No. 2 in  F Major

Sonata Pathetique  2^nd Mvt. Adagio

Prelude in E m  Chopin  op 28  No. 4

Raindrop Prelude

Prelude in C minor

Polonaise Militaire Op.40 No.1

Largo New World Symphony Dvorak

The Dying Poet Gottschalk Meditation

Passacaille  Handel in Gm

Sarabande  Handel

Surprise Symphony Andante Haydn.

An Alexis Hummel

Flower Song   (pre-Lieb) Op. 39 Lange

Merry Widow waltz Lehar

Confidence

Op 19 no. 4  Consolation Mendelssohn

 Venetian Boat Song  No. 2  Op 30, No. 6

12 Variations  265k  Ah! Vous dirai-je , maman

 Minuet from Don Juan  Mozart

Sonata in A k. 331  Mozart

Dance of the Hours from La Giaconda  Amilcare Ponchielli

Minuet in A Minor  Purcell

The Young Prince and Young Princess  Korsakov

Melody in F  Op. 3, No. 1  Anton 

Romance  OP. 44, No. 1   Rubinstein

Trois Gymnope’dies  erik Satie

Pastoral Scarlatti in G

Knight Rupert  Album for the Young Schuman

 

Advanced (Level 5- 8 )

Clair de LuneFinlandia Sibelius

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, 

Waltz of the Flowers & 

“June”  Barcarolle -  Tchaikovsky

The Skater’s Waltz  - Waldteufel

And many more which I haven't listed.

Fun Piano Duets

Duets are fun and a great way to learn to play with others, a skill that can often be lost to pianists.   Of course, any piece can be made into a duet - divide here, add a little there.    I would love to do a recital with Whitewater Chopsticks made into a duet.  Here is one arrangement.  Although I would probably arrange it for four hands instead of two pianos.

Two years of "Piano Ensemble" in college consisted almost entirely of playing with the other pianists in duets and trios.  Here are a few  of the pieces I learned and watched in class.

Brahm's Hungarian Dance no. 5

Buy at: http://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/score/Hungarian1H.html

Free copy - The first ever published version - more difficult:
http://conquest.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/9/92/IMSLP205870-PMLP16016-Brahms_-_Hungarian_Dances__14___2P_ed.Simrock_.pdf

The Bercuese from Faure's Dolly Suite is a charming beginning duet for intermediate players, and is also available on Virtual Sheet Music.  IMSLP or other printable classical score providers might have it for free. 
Here is the Bercuese:

Also, listen to the world's most famous duet playing pianists, the Lebeque Sisters:

And for some real inspiration, listen to the Five Browns.

Beethoven and Shultz

Visit http://absadmin.users.sonic.net/schulz/pages/page1.html for some fun!  

When I went to visit Lauren, a dear friend and fellow piano teacher in San Jose, she took me to the MLK library Ira F. Brilliant Beethoven Center  that hosts a Beethoven museum - at that time, it was replete with Peanuts comic strips!!   Charles Shultz's love of Beethoven is unmistakable.   This fascinating union of Beethoven and Peanuts was totally new for me, and we had a grand time! 

Competitions for the Tampa Bay Area

 Researching piano competition in the area, and there are a lot of choices.  Thanks to Betty Chester for the info.

Florida State Music Teachers' Association*, the  Florida section of the The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and  the Mid-State Music Teacher's Association (MSMTA) offer different competitions.  Teacher and student membership required.  MSMTA has two in Spring, March and May.    Under competition, MSMTA has judge's sheets along with application which list things that judges listen for - useful. 

This is an independent competition by prestigious pianists:
Piano 2 0 1 2  S o n a t i n a - S o n a t a F e s t i v a l   at St. Pete College - Brochure link:
http://www.spcollege.edu/spg/music/images/Sonata_brochure.pdf


A more broad annual youth competition with an emphasis on entertainment is Spotlight on Talent in Wesley Chapel.
 
Also, I am interested in looking into what Federated Music clubs has to offer as well, and they use Hillborough Community College facilities.

Many competitions are open to the public.  I would highly recommend a student attend one before participating, to learn and enjoy!

*P.S.   The February 2012 newsletter of the Florida State Music Teachers' Association contains further info on pianist competitions.  The next public competition is FSMTA Competitive Events, May 11-12 – HCC Ybor Campus, Tampa.

Events: Week of Dec. 4 - 10

Friday, December 9, 7:30pm at Shiloh Baptist Church.  Christmas by Candlelight   Members of my family and I will be singing in this beautiful varied concert!

Too bad it isn't free like last year!  5$ advance.  More infor below.



Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, 8 – 10 p.m.   Dancing with Winds, UT.   Free


Sunday, Dec. 11.  Don't forget the Messiah.  10$ advance.  This video is from Dr. Romanski's [past performances.

More on...Christmas by Candlelight

Shiloh Baptist Church, 905 W Terrace St, Plant City, FL

We took a group picture at Epcot last year, but this was a year before  when I wasn't there yet. :) We will be singing on December 30th. The program will begin with the Plant City Community Choir featuring: ~A Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas ~Still, Still, Still ~Carol of the Bells ... Also on the program, from the Plant City Vocal Ensemble: ~Ding Dong Merrily on High Then, the Plant City Community Choir will combine with a choral group from the University of South Florida to perform the 2011 Disney Candlelight Processional concert. This will include over 100 singers, a guest narrator, and guest conductors.



This is my instrument!

Featuring : True Piano Feel and Expressive Control

I'm researching about this digital piano, especially how to record with it.  I discovered why the box didn't have the manual.  It is available at Yamaha's website.  So I'll be registering my Arius YDP 161's serial number to get access to this and other features.

"50 classic piano songs are provided in the song player and as a music book, "50 Greats for the Piano." These songs can be used for background music or as learning reference.

10 Voices  -  In addition to the realistic Grand Piano Voice, you can play other instruments like Vibraphone, Electric Pianos, Harpsichords and Church Organs. There’s also a rich Strings Voice that sounds great when used in Dual Voice mode with the Acoustic Piano.

The easy to use, built-in 2-track recorder lets you capture your music and plays it back. Play both hands together and use the second track to add a different part. Or play one part at a time and rehearse complicated pieces. You can also transfer recorded songs to your computer using Yamaha’s free Music Downloader software..."

Want to sing in the Messiah?

All are welcome to participate in the performance of the MESSIAH!
This is a late notice. 

See the flyer about the December 11th concert.

<<Rehearsal Reminder

Brandon Choral Society Singers will resume rehearsals with the next one scheduled for tomorrow Tuesday November 29 at 7:00 PM Sharp. As every one is aware the rehearsal location will continue at Southside Baptist Church, 415 W. Lumsden Rd., Brandon , Fl 33511.

Cd's, concert tickets, flyers and poster will be available for distribution.

See attached 2011 Handel's Messiah flyer.

Thank you and God Bless!

George Miecyjak
Program Coordinator
miecyjak@aol.com>>

Events: Week of Nov. 24-19

December 6, 2011 - "Holiday Magic" - 7:30pm - Youkey Theater, The Lakeland Center
Program: Four Shaw Cantatas (Lakeland Choral Society), Bennett; Seasonal Favorites.

 If you are a student at USF, the first and second concerts are free.  These are great events!

Expanding

I've just expanded my "Students" page, on the top menu here, to include more links to free sheet music.  This was particularly to give my students some Christmas lead sheets.  It's less than three months away! With Thanksgiving coming next month, I'm thinking I'll post about traditional Thanksgiving  music.