Let It Go Lesson Duet

Here is a video one of my parents took of us playing the Let It Go theme from Frozen. We had been having a bit of trouble getting her excited about practicing again and I was eager to find ways that would make it seem like less of a chore. Of course it always helps if you’re really into the music that you’re learning.  She’d been sporting some Frozen glitter tattoos a while back so I figured it would be a hit!

I had taught her the song the week before and she came to her next lesson bursting with pride at her new accomplishment!  I thought I’d see if she could hold the melody on her own while I added a bit of harmony; it didn’t even phase her. Please excuse my concentration face as I was really into it. She did fantastic and I’m super proud of her!!

Music Room Snapshots

I’ve been meaning to do this for a while… so here are a few photos of this little space. This is where I teach lessons, muse, doodle, and dream. We both play our instruments and get crafty in here. Currently my love is learning to make a kilt and I’m trying my hand at a few mousey cat toys.

I adore the color on the walls and pretty much built the room around that dark and soothing sea foam green. It has a very calming effect and I was drawn to it immediately. That amazing drafting table is something Aaron picked up before I met him. It’s the perfect height for us tall folks and has plenty of storage for all our bits and bobs. Most of the other furniture is thrifted, like the chairs, red table, and the mirror I freshened up with a quick strip of teal. The sea port ink drawing and the thermometer/barometer/hydrometer were his grandfather’s.

This is the bagpipe and whistle section, along with my treasured music bag from childhood. I also keep the mandolin and electric violin tucked away here – close at hand and not in the closet where I can’t see them!

The Tolkien quote print is from Society 6 and was a gift from my mother. The Einstein quote I got at one of those discount home goods stores years ago and the rainbow lights are from Target. My love got those curtains from Urban Outfitters when I mentioned how they tied in the blues, greens, with pops of yellow. He also ordered the jazz cat print on Etsy from Catherine Hiley. Animals playing instruments are adorable to me.

This is where I keep books, games, and colored pencils for siblings and Suzuki Journals for parents to peruse if they wish. The bin underneath is where I stash sheet music and books for my own practice.

There is a rather long list of things I’d like to add, change, hang on the walls, or make for this room. I have a plethora of ideas for a gallery wall.  I feel like a lot of things sit on the floor (things I didn’t need to photograph like my note card collection and another cork board I haven’t hung). I would like bamboo blinds to match the woodsy vibes and I keep meaning to go to the nursery the next time I have a few bucks I want to spend on more plants. Also, find some sort of tall lamp or different light fixture. It could go on and on. But I won’t be getting to any of them because of a very exciting reason that I will be writing more about so soon…We’re moving!!!

String Making at D’Addario

Ever wonder how strings are made?  Or why violin strings are so much more expensive than guitar strings?  This has come up during string purchase trips with the band, mostly because mine run about four times what the other ladies’ cost and everyone wonders what makes violin strings so special, including me. Instead of asking at the store and exposing my total lack of knowledge about strings (so embarrassing – I’ve been playing most of my life!) I decided to turn to the wonderful world wide web, which surely gives definitive answers to life’s most pressing questions.

Laurie Niles of violinist.com wrote an article detailing the process after she visited the D’Addario string factory a few years back. Also there is a video about the physics of why a beginner often produces scratches and squeaks by Fan Tao, lead researcher in the bowed strings department at D’Addario. Fascinating stuff for string players, enjoy!

http://www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/20118/12542/

Suzuki Membership Mishap

So I was looking for a few notes I had taken at my teacher training yesterday and came across my Suzuki Association of the Americas card.  Much to my surprise (and dismay) I had accidentally let my membership expire… two months ago!  At first I was a bit sad and began scolding myself for being blissfully unaware, not caring enough to keep track, etc. What if parents had been searching for teachers in this vicinity and my name didn’t pop up? It did seem rather unprofessional of me, after all.

But then I decided to stop chiding myself about it and do something to fix it.  So I logged into my account at suzukiassociation.org and lo and behold, there awaited a renewal notice. I paid my fee and noted that my membership expires every year in May, so I can be sure to be on top of it going forward.  Lesson learned!

Fiddlehead Fashion: A Walk In The Park

The past couple weeks have been sprinkled with some of the most glorious weather I could hope for during July in the Midwest. It’s been nice and cool, overcast and even a bit rainy. Just the way I like it.  Sunshine is wonderful, I just prefer it in the 70s instead of 90s!

A few days ago I stopped by Phelps Grove park on my way home.  It is such a lovely gem of greenery in the middle of town and right by Springfield’s only art museum. I would say it’s my favorite park but that might just be because it’s the closest so I’m there often. There is another that comes to mind with lovely gardens, a pond, and a butterfly house so now that I think about it I’m realizing I don’t need to compare parks as much as I need to enjoy them and appreciate the variety they offer.

I had my violin with me and thought I’d do a bit of playing in the wide open air. There is something magical about playing out of doors, really there is. A gorgeous concert hall is a beautifully intimate setting for sharing art and common experiences, and I do love being part of a group that can accomplish powerful things I can’t on my own. But at times I want to breathe in fresh air and enjoy more than just the notes I’m playing and the space I’m playing them in.  A change of scenery can be exciting from time to time.

So go spend some time outside and play some music! It makes you feel connected to the world in so many ways; alive and participating with nature, just one of so many creatures making beautiful music for anyone and everyone to enjoy. I love the feeling of wind rustling through my hair, carrying sounds from my instrument to places I will never go.  Happy music making!

3 Crested Hens

There is a song I request nearly every time I play with the Celtic Crew.  I heard once it’s not even really an Irish tune but somehow it has worked its way into traditional session repertoire and I am so very glad!  It really is the loveliest tune; beautiful melodic lines, an unrushed, almost sauntering tempo, and plenty of places for me to embellish as I feel so inclined.  The tune is Crested Hens by Gilles Chabenat.  Some say it’s a traditional Breton dance tune he slowed for his version, while others maintain it is an original.  Either way, Chabenat is a French hurdy-gurdy player who credits a line from a Debussy composition as the inspiration for this tune. I will have to have an extensive listening party to see if I can discover which one he plucked it from.

I have been having some fun playing around in Sibelius recently.  It’s been five or six years since I last used it for an assignment in college – far too long!  I thought that arranging a favorite tune might be the perfect exercise to familiarize myself again. So here is a bit of what I’ve done with it, I have already started working on a few more – it was so much fun and I can’t get enough.

I thought it appropriate to specify exactly how many crested hens there are – at least in my version – since it is not noted in the original.  The three violin part arrangement is a nod to the trio I often played in growing up. We had the greatest time playing everything from Telemann and Bach to Khachaturian and the beloved Michael MacLean. I dearly miss playing with you Lauren and Sasha!  How wonderful it would be to play this together someday, perhaps the next time we are all serendipitously back in Sitka at the same time!

So this is how I envision this tune being played (live of course!) with friends and family gathered for a dance or a dinner party.  Side note.. how cute is that lady bug that snuck into this picture?  So cute, indeed.  Happy music making! – Kera

 

Dress Up Your Music Stand

Every music teacher needs a music stand, I would venture to guess. I’ve had the same one for a very long time, probably since high school or before.  Functional and durable, I’m all about that.

There are a few theme colors I’m trying stick with when it comes to the music/crafting/office space.  And though I do like silver – it isn’t one of them.  So when I spotted a navy music stand at my local music store I got pretty excited. Now that I look around I really don’t have much navy except as an accent in the curtains but I don’t mind, it’s not nearly so flashy as the silver so I prefer it.  The navy is nice, but I’m always looking for opportunities to get just a bit crafty.  So in case you ever want to dress up your music stand a bit, here is an easy diy to add a splash of color in an unexpected place.

You will need; a music stand, several yards of the yarn of your choice, some double stick tape, and a pair of scissors. I got my yarn on super sale (!) so this ended up costing me less than two bucks, unless you count the stand.. okay twenty then.

Because of the way these metal stands are collapsible, the only place that doesn’t get in the way when it folds are the feet. I thought it might be cute, like socks!  Measure two arms lengths of yarn (about two yards) and wrap it around your fingers to keep it all together.

Stick a bit of tape at the bottom and fold it around so it covers both sides of the metal. Secure your yarn on the tape, then wrap a few times over the start of the thread to hide it and keep it in place.

Once you get it started all there is to do is wrap. And wrap, all the way up.

Before you get to the top, add another piece of tape and fold it over the metal edge. Keep wrapping over the tape until you get to the top.

Then loop the yarn through itself to tie a knot, and trim the extra yarn.

Repeat the process for the other two legs and you’re done!

I quite like it, just a bit of texture to make it more interesting. Happy stand wrapping!  And merry music making! – Kera

Photos edited with Petal from A Beautiful Mess photoshop actions.

A New Student and a Strong Start

So exciting! I have a new student!!  I am particularly thrilled about this as his mom contacted me after another of my student’s parents referred her to me. They are in the same class at school and had been chatting about violin lessons, and the other parent said how pleased she had been with her daughter’s lessons with me. I never want to outright assume they are happy just because they are still coming to lessons so it’s nice to have a confirmation once in a while. Oh happy day!!

He is seven years old, and I know going into it that little boys are generally a bit more of a challenge for me than little girls.  Other people say this also, so I feel okay concurring with their opinions, and that I’m not the only one!  I had a few more boys than girls when I taught in Sitka, and it was then I started noticing a pattern in the differences between both attention span and physical activeness.  Those kiddos definitely sharpened my skills at directing focus, giving clear expectations, and keeping it a balance of interesting, educational, and fun.

He has already taken a few months of lessons before, which sometimes is great and other times maybe not as great. I can usually tell at the first lesson after I hear the first few measures of whatever he chooses to play for me. The Suzuki Method is very particular and does a wonderful job of setting the student up for success; the foundation is solid for whatever avenue of music he decides to pursue as he grows older.  At the beginning stages I look for a lot of things relating to posture and technique.  I make a mental list of strengths and good habits, and a list of things I perceive as needing attention.  (Afterwards I’ll write these things down, but I try not to have my teaching binder out during a lesson since it can often seem intimidating or distracting with me jotting notes as it’s happening.)  That first lesson is so important in setting the tone for the student-teacher-parent triangle, I do my very best to connect with both the student and parent so we can start building trust in our relationships.  We do a lot of chatting – mostly about why we are here and what we’ll be doing – and I hand out a welcome letter and a few articles they may find interesting.  Then we do some bow races and get straight to work! 

Fiddlehead Fashion: Leather and Lace Trim

There were a couple of events to play for this past weekend, and I wore this outfit to both a garden party with The Eskimo Girls and a celebration of St. George’s Day at London Calling, a local classic English pasty food truck. The Celtic Crew played at that event though if I’m not mistaken the Irish and the English are basically loathsome enemies. At any rate Ireland was at one time part of the British Isles and people love the music!  I have zero issues with wearing the same thing more than once, so this was an easy go-to for the weekend.

There’s no reason put up pretenses about this – I’m not a fashion plate by any means! Though at times I make a more valiant effort than others to look put together, depending on the occasion. One of my favorite designers – to look longingly at his clothes but never buy – said this and it quite resonated with me. So I at least halfway try if it’s anything other than schlepping my way out to get groceries or coffee or go to yoga. “Dressing well is a form of good manners” – Tom Ford

So while I’m definitely not in designer duds, I am all about comfort and ease of movement when I play – I can’t have clothes that are too fussy or get in my way. Last summer I loved a particular draping sweater and wore it a number of times at shows before I finally got the point that it wasn’t working out. It was super fun with flower crocheted designs and fringe hanging down, but I kept getting bracelets caught in the holes or the fringe would wrap around my cords on stage. Only a bit distracting.. so it got relegated to the ‘no show’ portion of my wardrobe.

Also worth noting: I am a total novice when it comes to photoshop.  All the ways it can make pictures just a bit prettier seem quite complicated and time consuming, but I’ve been giving it a try.  Thank goodness for the new actions from A Beautiful Mess! I’m particularly fond of “Norma” and have been using variations of it for these photos. Hopefully my skills will improve as I go along, but this mostly one-click editing thing is pretty rad.

As a whole I like this outfit. The peeking lace adds an element of interest to what could otherwise be a rather typical sundress. I adore florals and wear them often, but if the print is too loud it can drape in a not so flattering manner over curves and edges. Since I’m not too sickly sweet of a person, the jacket and booties edge it up enough so I feel comfortable.

Photo credit: My love!
Kitty Meow also made an appearance, being her usual curious kitty self!

Speaking of Stickers

Who doesn’t love some fun stickers?! As an effective reward in motivating young minds in their studies, I have come to have a greater appreciation for them in recent years. What am I saying?  I’ve always loved stickers, they are super fun to stick on things! Things like practice charts, books, foot charts, beginner box violins and the like.  The research is clear; loving encouragement, appropriate praise, and small, sustainable and reasonable rewards tied to achievement and specific standards are  all effective and positive ways to reinforce learning and develop internal motivation.  Though it sounds rather innocuous, I thought I might share a few things I’ve discovered about using stickers in a music teaching environment.

Not all stickers are great for sticking on music books.

Stickers come in a thousand varieties and with all those choices come a few constraints.  Some are puffy, have layers, or are crystals that come with adhesive backs (see above).  3D stickers are awesome, of course, but not practical for sticking to the top of every page in a book.  Pretty soon it’s an inch thick in some places and all that space makes room for pages to get crumpled or torn. It is also a strain on the book binding, even if it’s just a few staples.  Another thing I’ve learned – kids love BIG stickers. When presented with the option of which sticker to choose of a bunch more often than not the student will pick the biggest one. This is not atypical, and who wouldn’t want more sticker for their parents’ dollar?  But not all incredibly large stickers will fit into that quite small space between the side of the song title and the top of the page.  So choose stickers that are flat and not too large to fit in the given space without covering up anything printed.

Have a nice selection of gender neutral or obvious “boy” stickers

I don’t want to encourage or promote traditional gender biases, but I will say that not all boys get stoked about cupcakes and kitty cats. I myself was raised frolicking in the forest so I have no problem with girls being into bugs, getting dirty, slimy animals or monster trucks or whatever. It’s simply a matter of personal taste. So to be accommodating to the male students I have a few sheets of what *some* would consider to be more boy-oriented sticker fare.  Stars and spaceships have been popular around here lately.

Be aware of the affect stickers have on your budget.

Some can be quite expensive. The fancier sheets used for crafting and scrap booking can be several dollars for only several stickers.  This is not cost effective for any teacher, music or otherwise.  And if you teach in the public school system – forget about it!  The remedy for this is to shop the sales, be aware of how many per sheet and how many sheets are included in a pack, and shop online.  There are a myriad of teaching resources that offer adorable stickers in substantial quantities at very reasonable prices.  Some would be Music Motion, Teacher Created, and Hobby Lobby.

So get silly with stickers and bring some sparkle and whimsy into your teaching!