STUDIO NEWSLETTER NOTES
September 2010

PRACTICE TIP OF THE MONTH:
Always start your practice with your exercises, such as the 5fp or scales. Then go on to the technic book if you have one. That way you are all warmed up for your pieces. Remember to do the repetitions and correct your mistakes when you practice. You don't want to learn a piece wrong and have to correct it later. It is much harder to do that. Make a small goal for yourself on what you will accomplish at your practice session and then follow through with that goal. You could even reward yourself in some small way if you do it. Let your parents know about your goal and also let them know you did it. Goals always help you get something done better whether it is in piano or in school or something else.

Notes:
Welcome back to the new school year. I will have information at the first lesson in September about the new school year. I have added another set of computer activities called Music Ace that the students should really like. It is for many more things than note reading. The Piano is Fun game will still be used, but we'll be using the new one more.

I know it seems early, but I'd like to know who wants to do guild this year. When we start early, it is not such a chore to learn the pieces. They can be perfected better and you will be more confident. Once you have memorized a piece of music as well as you do for a judging, you usually never forget it completely. It is good to have a "song in your pocket" that you can pull out and play when someone asks you to play something - and they will!

Be sure to check the new calendar. Most dates are already in place. Please let me know if there is some major conflict with any of them. I try to accommodate as many students as I can. The summer songs master class is coming up right away. I want to see what everyone learned this summer as they played and practiced. I need everyone to play something. Remember that the master classes are group lessons and are held several times each year. They serve a big purpose in allowing students to interact with each other and to hear others play. We learn more about the period of music for the year and about the style and composing of the musicians from that period. The more we know about music history, the better we will be able to play. Jazz is part of this period so we will have fun with that. There is also some really "different" sounding music during this time. It will be fun and interesting. During the week of a master class, there are no regular lessons. I may be breaking the master classes into two sessions whenever we hold them so more can come. Whether you attend or not, it is counted as one of the lessons during that month. This year they are in September, October, February and May.

I'm looking forward to a great year with all of you. Commit yourselves to better practicing, not just more! You can accomplish a lot in a shorter amount of time if you are focused and keep to the lesson. I am excited to see all of you and will have a little special treat your first day of lessons in September.

Music School Website url is: http://snowmusicschool.com. Students may earn extra points when they play any of the games or visit the website to learn more about music.

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