Are you as underwhelmed with using iMovie to create videos as I am? Several years ago, I found a better tool and have since been using Camtasia very happily ever since.
Recently, though, I heard about ClickChamp. If I were in the market for an alternative video editing tool, I would definitely check it out! They even have a free version!
Thoughts on music literacy from Eric Bluestine, author of The Ways Children Learn Music.
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It’s hard to believe the Piano Pantry blog has been active here on this crazy thing we call the web for almost eight years and the podcast for almost two.
If you’ve been hanging around here much at all, you likely know I love feeding people all kinds of good things (both literally and figuratively!), but, as you can imagine, it takes a lot of time and energy.
I decided it was time to take a leap and create a place for Piano Pantry fans to partner up and support the work that’s going on here.
Over on Patreon, you can choose between two levels of support:
For just $4 a month, you can become a Piano Pantry POWER Patron. Your silent partnership will help power the work that I do and will be your way of saying to me, “Thank you,” “Keep doing what you’re doing!” “I’m here for you!” even “Go buy a fancy coffee on me!”
If you want to throw a little support my way but would also love a little extra “Amy access,” you can become a Piano Pantry INSIDER for just $7 a month. My insiders will get support in one particular area in which I know most of you ALWAYS need a little extra help, and that’s with your email.
We will have a monthly Zoom power hour on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 12:00-1:00 pm ET dedicated only to managing your email Inbox. Just a side note that October’s will be held the last Wednesday due to a pre-arranged vacation.
This means that you will get all my best email coaching tips as we work together to get a grip on a major pain point in our business each month.
Not only that, but we’ll have a special 30-60 minute BONUS session on Zoom once a quarter.
Each bonus session will be different – will be voted on by patrons, and could be anything from hearing one of my presentations normally only available to teacher groups to getting a behind-the-scenes look at how I organize my kitchen and pantry, and more. The sky’s the limit! All Insider meetings will also be recorded if you can’t join in at the set times.
Visit PianoPantry.com/patreon to join today.
Rosemarie Penner’s Unfinished Lesson blog got a remodel and is now Must Love Music
I’ve tried several Sleep Masks over the years, but my latest is hands down the best I’ve ever used. I am a light sleeper, and every night that I wear these, I swear I have slept more deeply than ever. They are incredibly comfortable and fit the nose and face just right.
Best Printers and Paper for Piano Teachers (Colourful Keys)
A 19-Foot Piano with the Longest Bass String (The Music Man)
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This past weekend, I had the honor of providing music for my cousin’s outdoor wedding.
I don’t know about you, but even though playing for weddings has never been part of my regular gig, it seems as if requests have definitely slowed down even more in the past ten years.
It likely has a lot to do with people having easier access to music tracks as well as the changing culture in church music and, thus, the declining demand for church pianists and organists. Of course, I’m COMPLETELY speculating here, but that’s my rough take on it.
Even though they happen infrequently and every wedding’s musical requests are different, there are a couple of books and several pieces of repertoire that I have found to be my trusty go-to’s.
In the course of my preparations for this past weekend, I came across a couple of other items that were great additions to my list. I now have enough now – I thought it was time to share!
A great peak into a classroom tonal pattern exercise from Eric Bluestine, author of How Children Learn Music
3 Easy Ways to Use Printable Games in Online Piano Lessons (Melody Payne.com)
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In April 2021, I discovered and shared here on the blog that Piano Explorer Magazine had been discontinued. I know how sad many of you were to hear that news, so I’m excited to share with you today a similar type of magazine that is now available!
In July 2023, Piano Inspires Magazine announced a new publication called Piano Inspires Kids. (Just to be clear, this new publication has no affiliation with the former Piano Explorer Magazine, which was published by The Instrumentalist.)
Piano Inspires is one of many resources part of The Francis Clark Center and is the brainchild of Andrea McAlister and Sara Ernst (pictured above). The magazine is geared toward young pianists of all levels, ages 8-14.
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The Piano Teacher Reset with Dr. Elizabeth Davis
A virtual retreat for teachers to come and be refreshed, rejuvenated, and enjoy collaborating with fellow teachers!
After reading an article by The Kitchn on the best way to store blueberries, I was pleased to discover I was already using the best method! Who wouldn’t want berries that lasted longer?
Already, I am considering if I should stock up on the rest of the books in his series. I loved this easy read. It’s such a simple concept, yet we often place more “conditions” on our students than we may realize.
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Did you know Amazon has a device trade-in program? I almost did it with my Kindle, but it was too old! Ha! It’s definitely worth looking into, though!
Quick and Easy Piano Teaching Tips for Elementary Technique – a great compilation by Davis Dorrough of Creative Piano Teacher!
New: Faber’s Adult Piano Adventures Disney Book 1!
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Do you keep track of the pieces your students learn? I’ve done it for as long as I can remember, although I can’t recall what made me get started. There are two reasons one might consider tracking student repertoire.
(1) As time passes, it can be easy to forget the work that students have done. Writing down pieces makes it easy to look back on those accomplishments.
(2) You might need to intentionally track pieces in order to meet specific goals or challenges (such as the 40-piece challenge.)
While this post is not necessarily about the 40-piece challenge, here’s just a brief background if you’re not familiar.
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The Science of Making and Keeping Friends (A Slight Change of Plans Podcast)
Wow – this is really thorough…
The Best Apps Every Music Teacher Should Have(Oliva Ellis and Davis Dorough | Creative Piano Teacher)
Movie recommendation! Barefoot on Netflix is so cute! My husband even enjoyed it.
The ne’er-do well son of a wealthy family enlists a young woman he meets at a psychiatric hospital to pose as his girlfriend at his brother’s wedding. (Description from Netflix?)
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