Practice Tip, Igudesman and Joo

Please note to all email subscribers, videos are not sent in emailed transcriptions of these blog posts.  I will try to always make it clear in the body of an article when a video is included, but you will need to follow the link within your emails to the actual blog article to view everything.  That includes this blog post.

Practice Tip - One Problem at a Time

If you've had a dozen lessons with me, then you almost certainly have heard me give you this very important principle to good practice.  Inevitably, you will attempt to learn something that seems overwhelming.  You have to address every obstacle in a piece of music in order to learn it completely, but you don't have to and shouldn't try to do it all at once.  That's probably obvious enough, but let's take it one step further:  don't even try to solve TWO things at once.  Limit it to one.

Sometimes the problem is as simple as getting from note # 1 to note # 2.  You may need to practice that slowly, then speed up.  Sometimes the rhythm is a problem.  Get off the keyboard and practice on a table.  No pitches to hear, so you need to focus on the rhythm.  Sometimes it's pedaling.  So pedal as you watch the music imagining you are playing without actually moving your hands.  We'll go over more ways than this, but the point is:  take care of just one problem at a time.  In a really tough passage, it may mean ignoring one problem while you work on another.  You'll do nothing but frustrate yourself trying to multi-task.

Meet Igudesman and Joo - Video and Concert Info

If you've ever been misled into thinking that classical music is boring, allow me to introduce you to the funniest classical comedy duo I've ever seen.  They are from England, and are Alexis Igudesman and Hyung-Ki Joo.  They are coming to Greensboro on Friday, April 12 at 8:00pm to perform with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra to play their Big Nightmare Music show (as opposed to their two-person Little Nightmare Music show).  Here is a link for more info: http://www.greensborosymphony.org/season/2012-13/masterworks5.asp

Finally, I leave you with this video by Igudesman and Joo from their Little Nightmare Music show.  The next time you think you're having a tough piano lesson, compare it to this one and its pure madness!

Is a half-hour lesson enough?

Three reasons for upgrading to a one hour lesson per week

By default, I teach a half-hour lesson per student each week.  It's less expensive and tends to be the right amount of time needed to go over the material that the average student practices in one week.  A few of you would benefit by upgrading to an hour each week.  Here are three signs to check and see if it's right for you.

1.  Half-hour lessons feel rushed.  If you are practicing more music than we have time to properly go over in a 30 minute lesson, then you should consider expanding to a 60 minute lesson.  One of the downsides to practicing and progressing a lot is that you may be outpacing what we can properly review during the lesson.  An hour makes it so much easier for the ambitious or advancing student to get proper coaching.

2.  You desire an additional focus.   Some piano students may also want to study French horn.  They may want more focus on theory.  They may want to learn both classical AND jazz/pop styles of playing.  They may want to additionally learn composing.  If you want to learn piano AND something else, then you need an hour.

3.  It is within your budget.   Choose reason number 1 OR number 2, but then add this third reason.  I do offer a discount per half-hour when you expand to an hour by a difference of $20 per month, but this is still more total money for your music education than a half-hour lesson.  If you or your child is single-focused or having only a small time to practice, I do not recommend adding money for more time.  It's very difficult to fill an hour's time with material in those situations, and your money is not as efficiently being used.  If you fit one of the first two choices, you should look at your budget and see if you can fit it in.  Hour lessons aren't always immediately available to schedule, but by putting in a request, I can arrange the time as soon as possible for you to get this in.  If you are unsure whether you are the type of student who would benefit, please email me, and I will give you my honest opinion.  If you are a prospect and unsure about whether an hour lesson would be more beneficial than a half-hour, then I always suggest starting with a half-hour and seeing if it feels like enough, and then expand to an hour as needed.

Tutorial for musictheory.net part 1 - Note Trainer

A wonderful website for piano students of every level is www.musictheory.net.  One of the things that makes it great is that it works for all levels, depending on how you use the settings.  I just started using this app (you'll see the watermark at the bottom of the video) to record videos while using the website.  Please pardon some of the excess mic noise.  I'll try to fix that in the future.  For now, here is an introduction to using the Note Trainer, an exercise you need to use unless you have total mastery of treble and bass clef notes.  Enjoy.

The Basic Stroke

I know of no better video to demonstrate correct basic arm technique than this section from Barbara Lister-Sink's award-winning video.  Study this until you can imitate it completely.

Policies

updated Dec. 16, 2013

Please refer to this post for whenever you have comments or questions regarding payment, make-ups and other portions of my studio policy.

PAYMENT, ATTENDANCE and MAKE-UPS

Lessons are charged at a flat rate per month, guaranteeing you a slot for one lesson per week. The rate is not affected by the number of weeks in a month. Accepted payments are cash, online banking, or a check made payable to David Lane.

*For half-hour lessons: email or call for rates

*For hour lessons (or families with two students): email or call for rates

Payment is due by your first scheduled lesson, subject to a $10 late fee after the 15th, and subject to a $20 returned check fee.

*All rates subject to change.  Please contact me to verify current rates.

What Your lesson Pays For: (Important!)

Many students begin taking lessons with the false impression that they are simply paying for their lessons when they attend. This leads to the understanding that attended lessons require payment and missed lessons do not. I've tried a number of ways to explain the error in this, and have simply come down to this:

100% of your tuition goes towards your name being reserved at a specific time on my schedule. The lesson itself is free!

Whether you attend or not, the payment is to ensure that you have a spot for you whether you show, have to cancel, can't communicate with me, forget, or whatever else comes up. I would consider it a courtesy if you'd inform me of any known absences in advance. If you've let me know you won't be there, your timeslot is still available if you have paid, and I will only use it for another purpose with your permission.

Your payment covers simply being on my roster. HOWEVER, you get the following free benefits:

• A quality lesson when you do attend.
• My education, experience and expertise
• A subscription to my blog, which you can remain on even if you discontinue lessons.
• My dedication to researching questions or helping you with specific goals.
• Occasional performance opportunities

MAKE-UP POLICY

When YOU miss: As the previous section states, there are no make-ups or credits for lessons you miss. That said, provided you give me plenty of notice of an absence, I will make an effort to find you an alternate time if there are vacancies or cancelations in my schedule. You can view my updated schedule at the website listed above. If this policy seems harsh, please consider that it is no different than most other recreational activities you'd sign up for including karate and league sports, and it is the policy of the majority of music teachers in this area. If you've canceled and plans change, let me know in advance.

When I miss: Because there are 52 weeks in a year, I do not charge for 4 of them. These are 4 times I may miss due to illness, vacation, holiday or weather. If I am to miss more than 4 lessons per year (which is likely for students who take on Saturdays or after 6pm on weekdays), I will prorate your remaining month by $25 per half hour lesson and $45 per hour lesson unless a makeup lesson is available.

YOUR PART in PREPARATION

• Always come prepared to your lessons with all books and a notebook or notepad. You may additionally bring a recording device and metronome. I provide pen and pencils.
• You must practice daily. You are otherwise wasting time and money. Additional guidelines will be given during your lessons. If you fail to practice, or bring all of your materials, I cannot assume responsibility for an unproductive lesson.

(over)

• You cannot practice without an instrument. For piano students, any acoustic piano will do. Any basic keyboard is suitable for beginners. Eventually, you will need a full-sized keyboard (88 keys), with hammer-action weighting on the keys, and at least one sustain pedal.
• You will likely need to purchase books for your lesson on a regular basis. Details will be provided during your lesson.
• An essential tool is a metronome. Any working metronome will do, but I recommend digital metronomes with variable beat patterns and, if possible, a tap feature. You do not need to bring this to your lesson unless you desire help with using it.
• OPTIONAL: Some students find it beneficial for me to record their assigned pieces. I will be happy to do that if you will bring in a recording device. I recommend portable digital recorders or your smartphone.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

• Each student is encouraged, not required, to prepare for and participate in up to two recitals per year (offered in the Fall and/or Spring). Additional opportunities are available throughout the year through the Winston-Salem Piano Teachers' Association. WSPTA events may require an entry fee, but recitals are free. A certain minimal amount of progress is expected to participate in these events.

HOLIDAYS and INCLEMENT WEATHER

• Except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Independence Day, never assume I am not teaching. This includes days of inclement weather, holidays, or other days when school is cancelled. I will inform you if I cannot be there, and you must likewise inform me. If your lesson day falls on one of the above holidays, it is covered by one of the four extra weeks in your tuition.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Please behave with respect during your lesson. Do not talk or play while instruction is being given.
• Please refrain from or be very minimal with wearing cologne or perfume when you come to your lessons.
• I reserve the right to dismiss you from my roster if you are inconsistent with payment or regularly misbehave during lessons.

SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS

• If your child is under the age of 10, they can really use your active involvement. I encourage an adult to sit in on the lessons and then be willing to coach your child at home. I have found that students stick with lessons longer when a guardian is actively helping them. Please also understand that is not normal for a child to practice regularly without prompting. Practice is work, even if they really want to learn piano, and is highly unusual for a child under 12 to be self-responsible in this area.

Welcome to Lane Piano Studio

Welcome to all students of David Lane and their parents, as well as prospects and any other people interested in the piano.

This is the place where I will be regularly writing practice tips, making event announcements, maintaining my schedule, as well as offering you helpful videos, websites and other links.

At anytime, you will be able to navigate by seeing my permanent links along the side, along with blog labels.  Thank you for taking time to read.