Friday Finds #280

1

This is one of those “why didn’t someone think of this a long time ago?!” things.

Half gallon bags.

I don’t know about you, but they were new to my grocery recently!

2

Winning recipes:

Sheet Pan Lasagna (The Kitchn)

Nutter Butter Ghosts (an easy Halloween Treat from Dinners Done Quick)

Finnish Salmon Soup (La Cuisine de Geraldine)

3

This episode from Ashley Danyew on 3 Things I Learned From Hosting a Musical Informanceinspired my Fall studio recital last week.

I hosted two “mini” recitals in my studio  space with approximately 4 families  in each and 5-7 students. Some students performed one piece, and some two. Each recital only lasted 15-30 minutes and I had some fun Halloween snacks (see the link to Nutter Butter Ghosts above!)

As for the “informance” part, the goal was to give the audience a little more than just the music. For example, one student had his friend read a poem prior to his piece that set the stage. I had a studio mom sing along to the lyrics while I played “The Ghost in Our Piano” from Faber. One student played Piano Safari’s Stormy Seas Rote rote piece and I displayed photos of each part of the storm as she played it. Sometimes I simply made a statement prior to the piece of what they could be listening for (such as an ostinato in the left hand).

The audience and I both LOVED this – it was so much more engaging to paint a picture of what to listen for. This is something I hope to incorporate more often into my recitals!

4

I recently purchased a second one of these coffee scoops for our camper. It holds 2 T. and is really comfortable to hold and scoop with!

5

Halloween Lollipop Cards (Susan Paradis Resources)

6

I have a student who requested to play Schubert’s “Ave Maria” for Christmas. Here’s a nice Intermediate – Late Intermediate arrangement I came across.

7

I’m starting to feel like I can’t have enough tripods and such around these days. Joy’s review of this MagSafe Tripod Stand makes it a tempting addition to my wish list!

8

40 Ways to Use Notion as a Music Professional (Joy Morin  | Color in My Piano)

9

An interesting story of a young autistic man’s symphonic odyssey from CBS Sunday Morning.

A young autistic man's symphonic odyssey

10

The Best Advice for New Music Teachers (Midnight Music)

11

Teaching Pedal Technique at Every Level (Chrissy Ricker)

12

Why We Need a New Stage of Audiation (Eric Bluestine)

13

A book I recently splurged on adding to my home library during Amazon Prime Days. Books like this just bring me all the warm fuzzies!

The Little Book of Hygge

14

I have a family of 4 students ages 10-17. The mom asked me a few months ago to teach her kids some of the fun little duets like chopsticks, Heart and Soul, and “Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum” so they can play little tunes like that for fun together. Her request made me extra tickled to come across Rebekah Maxner’s article: Rote Piano ‘Diddle-Um-Pum-Pum’: Learn the Shave and a Haircut Ending 4 different ways 

4 Comments

  • Hi Amy! I just clicked through and found the Hygge book through your link so I now have it. I had never hear do fit! It is Kindle, but that is usually what I use now. I also did not know about 1/2 gallon bags! Thank you for your great Friday Finds! I like Musical Informance’s. I did not know the word until reading it in your blog today. My recitals have always had this component in them. My favorite was when I reached out to a well-known living composer and she agreed to video some information on her series that I was featuring in the recital. Her video was played at the recital and there was some information along with each piece. She charged a nominal fee and it was a HIT! Happy Weekend!

    • Hey, Marian! Glad you found some items that are useful to you. I think you will love the book. I just enjoy the word “hygge” LOL

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