I'm happy to post our first studio song swap. After polling my students, here is a list of their favorite songs:
1. Time Out for Fun by Devo
2. The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny by Lemon Demon
3. This Land is Your Land
4. Symphony No. 8 in F Major by L. van Beethoven
5. I Can't Make You Love Me by Adele
6. Too High by Stevie Wonder
7. Black And Yellow
And a list of my favorite songs too!
1.Chain of Fools by Aretha Franklin
2. Novelette in C by Poulenc
3. Sonata op. 31. no 2 by L. van Beethoven
4. Mouvement (from Images) by Debussy
5. White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes
I'm trying me best to create a clickable, or at least shareable, playlist for everyone to listen to. For now, maybe you can do some hunting and listening on your own!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, November 14, 2011
What Practice Looks Like
I've had the opportunity to speak with many of you about practice lately. Since the recital preparation time is upon us, this is a timely subject. Many families are evaluating how well practice is working for them, or wondering how it should be working for them. I wanted to share my ideas and expectations with my studio as a whole.
What a "good" practice session looks like:
1. A warm up. This looks like at least one of these:
Scales and chords (at least 3 or 4)
Sight reading
Playing an old piece that they know well
Working on something from a technique book
2. Working on new pieces. This should include
slow practice tempos
working in small sections
repetitions of sections or whole piece
3. staying at the piano until all pieces on the assignment have been played
What a practice session should NOT look like
1. Up and down from the piano, easily distracted
2. playing everything very fast
3. Playing songs over and over from beginning to end with no pause to think
Each session needs the 3 P's: Patience, persistence, and perception.
Patience: seeing things through to the end, give yourself permission to make a mistake, know that progress doesn't happen overnight
Persistence: playing something many times, have a consistent weekly practice routine, stick with it even when it doesn't sound great, even when it is hard
Perception: always listen for improvement, be aware of steady tempos, be listening for clear tone, have a plan for what you are trying to say at the piano
My time expectations
Time spent at the piano is different for each of us. However there are minimum guidelines I expect everyone to follow
Young Beginning students (first year or two, depending on age) 20 min, 5 days a week
Elementary Students (3rd grade and up, depending on years of study) 30 min, 5 days a week
Middle School Students : 30-45 min 5 days a week
Advanced High School Students: 1 hr, 5-6 days a week
Older Beginnging Students (6th grade and up): 45 min- 1 hr, 5 days a week
What a "good" practice session looks like:
1. A warm up. This looks like at least one of these:
Scales and chords (at least 3 or 4)
Sight reading
Playing an old piece that they know well
Working on something from a technique book
2. Working on new pieces. This should include
slow practice tempos
working in small sections
repetitions of sections or whole piece
3. staying at the piano until all pieces on the assignment have been played
What a practice session should NOT look like
1. Up and down from the piano, easily distracted
2. playing everything very fast
3. Playing songs over and over from beginning to end with no pause to think
Each session needs the 3 P's: Patience, persistence, and perception.
Patience: seeing things through to the end, give yourself permission to make a mistake, know that progress doesn't happen overnight
Persistence: playing something many times, have a consistent weekly practice routine, stick with it even when it doesn't sound great, even when it is hard
Perception: always listen for improvement, be aware of steady tempos, be listening for clear tone, have a plan for what you are trying to say at the piano
My time expectations
Time spent at the piano is different for each of us. However there are minimum guidelines I expect everyone to follow
Young Beginning students (first year or two, depending on age) 20 min, 5 days a week
Elementary Students (3rd grade and up, depending on years of study) 30 min, 5 days a week
Middle School Students : 30-45 min 5 days a week
Advanced High School Students: 1 hr, 5-6 days a week
Older Beginnging Students (6th grade and up): 45 min- 1 hr, 5 days a week
Monday, August 29, 2011
Facebook!
If you're on Facebook, "like" our studio page! You can follow along and keep posted on the daily happenings in the studio. Who knew this piano teacher could be so savvy with technology!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Our new addition!
In case you haven't been to the studio in a couple weeks, we have a new instrument in the family!
I've added a digital piano to the studio, and I'm excited about the possibilities that it brings for the students. Of course, there's the fun aspect of changing instruments, and getting to play their songs using different types of sounds. In addition, I have great plans to incorporate recording their pieces using the new keyboard. Starting with the new school year, when a student completes a piece of music, we'll record it using the digital piano. At the end of the year, we can compile the recording into a CD representing a year's worth of piano. I can't wait!
I've added a digital piano to the studio, and I'm excited about the possibilities that it brings for the students. Of course, there's the fun aspect of changing instruments, and getting to play their songs using different types of sounds. In addition, I have great plans to incorporate recording their pieces using the new keyboard. Starting with the new school year, when a student completes a piece of music, we'll record it using the digital piano. At the end of the year, we can compile the recording into a CD representing a year's worth of piano. I can't wait!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
New Website!
Check out the new studio website!
www.larsonpianostudio.com
I'm excited to launch it and spread the word about our studio to more folks around town!
www.larsonpianostudio.com
I'm excited to launch it and spread the word about our studio to more folks around town!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Registration for 2011-2012!
Registration for lessons for the upcoming school year is now underway! In order to help me coordinate and plan our schedule for the fall semester, I encourage everyone to register as soon as possible! You should have already received an email with all the forms and information. If you haven't received it, please let me know.
Remember that your registration is due no later than July 31. Please submit your student information sheet, along with your $40 materials fee by that date.
Lessons for the new school year will begin Aug. 29. There will be no lessons from August 15-26 to allow us all to get settled into our new school year routines.
Our next school year is sure to be full of great things!
Remember that your registration is due no later than July 31. Please submit your student information sheet, along with your $40 materials fee by that date.
Lessons for the new school year will begin Aug. 29. There will be no lessons from August 15-26 to allow us all to get settled into our new school year routines.
Our next school year is sure to be full of great things!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Summer Lessons
To help everyone continue to grow, it is time again to schedule summer lessons. Every student must schedule at least 4 lessons in order to keep their slot for next school year. The summer schedule will begin on Tuesday June 7 and run through Aug. 11. We will have a week off from lessons the week of Memorial Day (May 29-June 2)
Some families travel frequently and only are able to schedule 4 lessons. Some families are here the whole summer and want to continue on with weekly lessons. Many families fall somwhere in between. I usually suggest scheduling lessons around vacation times. And, for students who have just started lessons in the spring time, the more consistent the summer lessons, the better.
Please contact me via email or phone during the next week to schedule your summer lessons. I will be teaching on Tues, Wed and Thurs. If you would like to keep your same lesson time, please let me know. If you need an earlier time of day, please let me know.
Tuition in the summer is structured the following way: June's tuition is the same as the school year. Then, any lessons above the minimum 4 are paid for in July's tuition. For example, if a student takes 6 summer lessons:
June, regular tuition payment due
July, payment for 2 lessons due
The themes in our study this summer will be Movie Music and Duets! It is my goal to find a duet partner for each student this summer. And, many students have been asking to play music from their favorite movies so I'm going to find something for everyone to enjoy this summer!
Some families travel frequently and only are able to schedule 4 lessons. Some families are here the whole summer and want to continue on with weekly lessons. Many families fall somwhere in between. I usually suggest scheduling lessons around vacation times. And, for students who have just started lessons in the spring time, the more consistent the summer lessons, the better.
Please contact me via email or phone during the next week to schedule your summer lessons. I will be teaching on Tues, Wed and Thurs. If you would like to keep your same lesson time, please let me know. If you need an earlier time of day, please let me know.
Tuition in the summer is structured the following way: June's tuition is the same as the school year. Then, any lessons above the minimum 4 are paid for in July's tuition. For example, if a student takes 6 summer lessons:
June, regular tuition payment due
July, payment for 2 lessons due
The themes in our study this summer will be Movie Music and Duets! It is my goal to find a duet partner for each student this summer. And, many students have been asking to play music from their favorite movies so I'm going to find something for everyone to enjoy this summer!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Introducing Preschool Partners!
Preschool Partners!
The Piano Studio of Anna Ford Larson is proud to announce an exciting new class geared for young budding musicians.
If you have a young child, ages 4-6, who is expressing an interest in learning an instrument this class is for you.
Children will recieve the benefits of individual instruction at the piano, while having fun with their "partner" each week too!
Students will have one 30 minute class each week, divided into 15 minutes of individual lesson time and 15 minutes of "partner time"
Each child will be paired with another child of similar age and experience.
Highlights include:
Fun music, listening and movement activities specifically geared towards young children
CD recording of each song
Ensemble playing each week
A great introduction to music study!
Tuition:
$220 per 10 week session
$35 materials fee
Contact Anna Ford Larson at 280-4795 or abanana2@gmail.com for more information!
www.newsofnote76.blogspot.com
The Piano Studio of Anna Ford Larson is proud to announce an exciting new class geared for young budding musicians.
If you have a young child, ages 4-6, who is expressing an interest in learning an instrument this class is for you.
Children will recieve the benefits of individual instruction at the piano, while having fun with their "partner" each week too!
Students will have one 30 minute class each week, divided into 15 minutes of individual lesson time and 15 minutes of "partner time"
Each child will be paired with another child of similar age and experience.
Highlights include:
Fun music, listening and movement activities specifically geared towards young children
CD recording of each song
Ensemble playing each week
A great introduction to music study!
Tuition:
$220 per 10 week session
$35 materials fee
Contact Anna Ford Larson at 280-4795 or abanana2@gmail.com for more information!
www.newsofnote76.blogspot.com
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Piano Party!
Thanks to everyone who played on Saturday! Our studio's second piano party was a great time of music, munching, and spending time with students and families in the studio. We have a really great little community and I'm so happy to have connected with all of you. Great work!
I'll keep you posted on the next Piano Party!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Student of the Month!
Introducing Dalal Abed, our first Student of the Month!
When we caught up with Dalal at her piano lesson Tuesday evening, she was happy to share some tidbits of information about herself. The third grader, who recently started studying the piano, has other interests besides music!
She loves to play soccer and has played it since she was four years old! Wow! She plays during the fall as well as playing indoor soccer in the summer.
Dalal also likes to travel. Her favorite place that she has actually travelled to is San Diego. There was a really great Italian restaurant there that she enjoyed. And, if she could travel anywhere in the world, it would be to Brazil. She would love to see the World Cup there and visit her uncle.
One of her favorite foods is macaroni and cheese. I bet there are many other piano students who have the same favorite!
And, when asked what her favorite part of lessons are, she responded that she is just really enjoying learning to play the instrument. Dalal pointed out that it is very special because many people don't know how to play an instrument. It is definitely an honor!
Thanks for sharing, Dalal!
When we caught up with Dalal at her piano lesson Tuesday evening, she was happy to share some tidbits of information about herself. The third grader, who recently started studying the piano, has other interests besides music!
She loves to play soccer and has played it since she was four years old! Wow! She plays during the fall as well as playing indoor soccer in the summer.
Dalal also likes to travel. Her favorite place that she has actually travelled to is San Diego. There was a really great Italian restaurant there that she enjoyed. And, if she could travel anywhere in the world, it would be to Brazil. She would love to see the World Cup there and visit her uncle.
One of her favorite foods is macaroni and cheese. I bet there are many other piano students who have the same favorite!
And, when asked what her favorite part of lessons are, she responded that she is just really enjoying learning to play the instrument. Dalal pointed out that it is very special because many people don't know how to play an instrument. It is definitely an honor!
Thanks for sharing, Dalal!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Playing Nicely Together
When we think of piano study, what comes to mind? Time spent alone in practice, lessons with just student and teacher, working diligently on a solo piece for a recital? By contrast, we probably assume that when playing just about anything else you can join a band, join an ensemble at school or church, play with an accompanist.... the possibilities seem endless. Does this mean that pianists are doomed to a solitary existence? No way! We just have to be a bit more creative and put in a little extra effort to create these great ensemble experiences.
For beginning piano students, the easiest way to jump into the world of collaborative music is through duets. Most students play duets with their teacher from the very beginning of lessons. But, when students pair up and their teacher takes the role of "coach", the dynamic changes in exciting ways. No matter how much advice the teacher gives from the sidelines, it is up to the students to make musical choices, listen to each other and choreograph their movements at the piano. Now the students must keep each other on task when it comes to steady pulse, good technique, listening, counting, and reading their notes correctly. It becomes obvious why these things are important- the ensemble can't stay together without them!
A major goal for our studio this year is to build connections. Connections between student and instument, student and their music, student and teacher and, last but certainly not least, student to student. I want to foster friendships and working musical partnerships. I know that many of my students are beginners, but I do not think these goals should be reserved for more advanced students.
Expect to see some duets coming home this month. They may be duets with me, or duets with another student. I am excited about the possibilites that this opens up for us, and hope you will enjoy hearing the music, and watching the kids work together. Here's to great music making!
For beginning piano students, the easiest way to jump into the world of collaborative music is through duets. Most students play duets with their teacher from the very beginning of lessons. But, when students pair up and their teacher takes the role of "coach", the dynamic changes in exciting ways. No matter how much advice the teacher gives from the sidelines, it is up to the students to make musical choices, listen to each other and choreograph their movements at the piano. Now the students must keep each other on task when it comes to steady pulse, good technique, listening, counting, and reading their notes correctly. It becomes obvious why these things are important- the ensemble can't stay together without them!
A major goal for our studio this year is to build connections. Connections between student and instument, student and their music, student and teacher and, last but certainly not least, student to student. I want to foster friendships and working musical partnerships. I know that many of my students are beginners, but I do not think these goals should be reserved for more advanced students.
Expect to see some duets coming home this month. They may be duets with me, or duets with another student. I am excited about the possibilites that this opens up for us, and hope you will enjoy hearing the music, and watching the kids work together. Here's to great music making!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Winter Recital!
As we begin our fall "mini-semester", I'd like you to save this very important date in your family calendars. Our winter recital will be held Saturday December 11 at 11AM. We will be performing at the Bethany Lutheran Church, as we have in years past. It will last approximately an hour.
Our masterclass day will be the week of the recital, on Wednesday December 8.
This will be a very special occasion, with plenty of holiday music. And never fear about the hiatus from lessons (and probably regular practice) that we're just coming out of! The music picked in our first week of lessons will be specifically for the recital.
A big goal that I have for our studio this year is to build a sense of musical community. I hope that all of you will plan on participating in the recital, no matter what level you are at in lessons. When we all come together to share music, it enriches the experience of taking piano lessons and builds our connection to one another!
Our masterclass day will be the week of the recital, on Wednesday December 8.
This will be a very special occasion, with plenty of holiday music. And never fear about the hiatus from lessons (and probably regular practice) that we're just coming out of! The music picked in our first week of lessons will be specifically for the recital.
A big goal that I have for our studio this year is to build a sense of musical community. I hope that all of you will plan on participating in the recital, no matter what level you are at in lessons. When we all come together to share music, it enriches the experience of taking piano lessons and builds our connection to one another!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Welcome!
I'm very excited about the start of our studio blog! You'll be able to check here for upcoming events, important information, and all manner of goings on for the studio. This will be a great way to stay informed and up to date on what's happening in the studio each week. Check back soon for our first Student Spotlight and Composer Focus updates! Cheers!
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