Here Comes the Sun

I am going to be landing here soon.

Soon I will see these as I walk down Palm Lane. I look forward to the walks with Emmaline and being in the backyard hammock.

"Grandma, there is a mouse in your picture."

My First Piano Adventures 10

I am still working on the skills of recognizing the names of the white keys this week. Being at home on the keys makes note-reading much easier. As we bring their eyes up to the music and expect them to decode the music score they must know where they are on the keyboard.

J. who is learning to read notes in Book 2 of MFPA, picked up the new note D this week. D goes with Tucker Dog who plays alongside Treble Cat C. He really likes the MFPA Cd and tells me the songs he likes best. Tucker Dog in the bath is one that tickles his fancy. 

M. had her sneaky thumbs working this week for Birthday Train and Fishes in the Sea. She seems secure in knowing the names of keys on the keyboard. Notice how she counts her notes. Great job, M.

I took N. and D. into my office this week where I had my keyboard hooked to my computer. We played some games on musiclearningcommunity.com . There are some games which can be played with a midi keyboard. 

Inputing from a keyboard makes more sense than having the mouse in the way. I am always amazed how quickly these young children pick up instructions when we use a computer. I anticipate some good music coming from this group of students at the April recital.

Concert- Take 2

It is not often that we get to do again something that was very meaningful before. But, my brother is coming to town and we are going to do another concert. The first concert was 15 years ago and my mother was still alive.

She flew with up with my brother and really enjoyed the concert we put together. So, what is so special about my brother? Well, he is the only living sibling I have. He also is a wonderful singer and entertainer. 

At the last concert he did a great Fiddler on the Roof rendition of "If I Were a Rich Man".

This year along with the concert he is doing a lecture on the singing voice. Oh, I forgot to say he is a world renowned voice scientist. These events are open to anyone and are all free.

 We will be joined by other local singers and I am looking forward to this special night, again.

May 26, 2011   Lecture     7:00pm

May 28, 2100 Concert   7:30pm

at the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Come to the Sun

Dear Grandma, 

Do you like looking out of your window to see this everyday?

You simply have to come visit me and get some of this!

Let's face it, your vitamin D count is down, your endorphins are low, and you haven't seen your shadow in weeks.

Ooops, did I put my foot in my mouth? Sorry, but really, notice that I don't have to wear shoes here.

You really neeeed to come.

Don't forget to bring your shades and sandals. 

Love, E.

My First Piano Adventures 9

Last week as I called to cancel piano lessons, I got A. on the phone. "I am sick today, so I won't be able to do our piano lesson.".

" That's okay, I didn't really want to come because I need to go rollerblading. I'm getting pretty good, you know."

Well, I was glad to accommodate someone. While I was beating back the sickness blues I thought I would like to encourage my students to spend some time at musiclearningcommunity.com

You can practice learning the piano keys there.

This is the homepage. Click on Member Log-in at the left.

Here is where you need a user name and password. All of you have received that for at least one of your students.

Here are the first games. Letterfly 1,2,3, are perfect for reviewing the key names.

Winning the game once is not the same as practicing the game. Encourage your child to play more than once. They may say, "But I beat the game!" So challenge them to get a higher score each time.

I 'll give them all a little quiz this week to see if they are secure with this skill. See you soon and call if you need assistance with this Internet site.

Happy Birthday, Piano Man

   It was a spring Saturday, right about noon, when I brought forth my fourth child and third son. I had worked hard to get him here and I was ever so grateful to have him. That was 30 years ago, what? Wow!  He joined the boys and turned out to be a quiet but tenacious force. I call him the Piano Man.

   He loved sports and video games but to my delight also took a liking to the piano. I made a difficult decision to home-school him based on inspiration and with that decision doors opened up for him to have unlimited time to explore music. Music has been his second language and even though he is busy as a husband, father, and provider he still speaks the language fluently.

 We enjoy his presence in our lives and have the good fortune to be close in distance to his family. I love watching him take delight in the antics of his five children. Yikes! He is busy.

Have fun playing with your tech toys!

The Rhythm of My Day 9

Our Rhythm of My Day is over and I feel like it was a great class. Thank-you to all you great parents and friends who came along for the ride. And, a special thanks to your lovely children who changed and developed so much over 9 weeks. S. learned to walk, S. came out of her shell, and C. started singing along with all her might.

I thought you might enjoy a blast from the past. There is Kim on the floor with her little boy B. sitting in front of her. B. is eight going on nine.

This was my first grandchild to go through Swingset sitting with his Dad, my son. He is shaking it up.

And sorry to say you won't be seeing Skip and Step at the Vashon Children's Concert tomorrow, due to colds, but I am sure the musicians will play beautifully without us.

Hope to see you in April for our spring semester; starts April 21st.