Blog

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If you’re an Evernote user, just a heads up if you haven’t noticed already that Evernote has gone through some big updates in recent weeks. To update to the new version of Evernote visit: evernote.com/download.

Here’s what new in Evernote for Windows and Mac.
Here’s what new in Evernote for iOS.

If you want to learn more about how to use Evernote, visit the Evernote page on Piano Pantry here.

Also, if you’re group is interested in a different type of professional development session, I have a lightning session available on using Evernote.

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Two new podcasts for piano teachers to tune into!

Beyond Measure with Christina Whitlock

Key Ideas by Leila Viss

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Bring the Life and Story of Beethoven to Your Online Teaching (Faber Piano Adventures)

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6 Best Cleaning Supplies, According to Professional House Cleaners (The Kitchn)

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Don’t miss some fun tunes in this Autumn playlist that celebrates the harvest, warmth, and coziness that it brings.

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Inspiration recipes for your table:

Cincinatti Chili (also known as “Skyline” Chili) (Simply Recipes)

Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes (The Kitchn)

Autumn Pear Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing (Mel’s Kitchen Cafe)

Asian Chicken Salad (Giada de Laurentiis)

Raspberry Orange Almond Muffins with Sprouted Flour (Amy Chaplin-the famous cook and it’s for real not me 🙂 )

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This time in Piano Pantry history:

2019 – The Piece My Students and I Can’t Stop Playing

2018 – Christmas Collaborations: Recommended Piano Ensemble Music

2017 – A Simple Money-Saving Took: Wikibuy

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Celebrating the seasons in a variety of ways beyond just decorating our homes is such a beautiful way to enjoy the seasonal changes throughout the year.

This isn’t the first time I’ve shared a Spotify playlist with you (view my other public playlists here). 🙂 Here is one more – an Autumn playlist that celebrates the harvest, warmth, and coziness that it brings.

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One day this week, I spent my entire time at the computer with this album playing in the background. Evensong – Hymns and Lullabies at the Close of Day by Keith and Kristyn Getty. It’s soooo soothing.

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If you’re not an MTNA member, I have one good reason to be – MTNA offers a 10% member discount with Sheet Music Plus and that’s ON TOP OF the 8% you can get if you’re a part of their Easy Rebates Program!

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A salad isn’t a salad, in my opinion, unless it includes one “crunchy” texture. Croutons are fine but aren’t always the right choice. Toasted nuts however are a great alternative. The time it takes to toast them worth the extra effort – as it delivers a lot more flavor then plain nuts.

Shaved almonds and cashews are my favorites!

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If you’re an Amazon Prime member, just a reminder that Prime Day is coming up!

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Natalie has some great tips for Making the Most of a Virtual Conference – the best suggestion being, in my opinion, to organize a location (like an Airbnb away from home so you can focus)!

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Writing Effective Practice Notes for Students (Pianosaurus Rex)

How to Use Printable Sticky Notes in Piano Lessons (Melody Payne)

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Two podcast episode suggestions:

Classical Classroom, Episode 213: Orli Shaham Talks piano (Man) How and why the piano came to be, what it is, and how to learn it.

The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe, Episode 166: A Disaster in the Kitchen Seriously, her cakes were downright repulsive!

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How I Use Instagram, and an Invitation to Follow Me There! (Joy Morin)

I’ve been enjoying Joy’s Instagram Story series “What we’re listening to today…”

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Tutorial: Combining Videos to Create a “Piano Duet” Video (Joy Morin)

The theme “Happy Birthday” seems to be playing around in my life this week.

First, the new post that went up on Piano Pantry this week was about a
tweak I made this year with my student birthday cards.

Second, this was the first week since our fall lessons started that I had a student with a birthday, so I just sent out my first card!

Third, I’ve corresponded with several of you recently about student birthday-card-related things.

Fourth, today is my baby brother’s birthday so I’ll give him a shout-out (although I’m pretty sure he doesn’t read my blog! Ha!).  Just for fun, here are a couple of pictures from a family photo session last year that I think sums up our relationship

So BOOM, we have our weekly theme!

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Thanks to reader Karen Shuart for sharing two student birthday ideas with me (and now, I with you!).

First, here’s what she had to say about this Etsy shop which has super cute cards you could use for your student birthdays:

I don’t know the owner personally, but have purchased several items and they arrive on time and the recipient often comments on how creative the cards have been. I also purchased some sticker pages, clipped them apart and gave them as fellow piano teacher gifts along with some of post-it flags from the Dollar Tree. It seemed to be well received.

Second, she reminded me of Leila Viss’s resource Perry’s Party Piano Camp for teaching students to play Happy Birthday!

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That, in turn, made me remember a free resource from Jennifer Fink at Pianimation. It’s a Harmonization sheet for Happy Birthday using the primary chords.

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This isn’t a find, but just a little teaser that I have my own “Happy Birthday” resource I’m working on to share in the near future. My students have already seen four or five versions of it over the last two years but I’m getting closer to my end product. Stay tuned!

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Recommended recipes:

Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Spaghetti Squash | Closet Cooking
Sometimes I just used jarred enchilada sauce rather than making my own.

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes | Damn Delicious

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I’ve been listening to fellow teacher/colleague Marlowe Carruth’s channel on Spotify while working and it has been so soothing!

She also has a beautiful rendition of the Downton Abbey theme.

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Use a Bowl of Vinegar to Get Rid of Food Smells | The Kitchn

I’m trying this – I filled a pint-sized ball jar with white vinegar, put a thin layer of cheesecloth on top, and crimped it down with a metal jar ring. I plan on keeping it out in my kitchen, next to the stovetop at all times, and am excited to see the results!

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Using Screen Mirroring Wirelessly with Your iPad | Deborah Rambo Sinn

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Piano Pouches: Something Fun for New Online Students | Joy Morin, Color in My Piano

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Nebraska: Images of the Cornhusker State | Alan Taylor, The Atlantic

Now that I know about this collection, you may be getting the link to the new one each week. I just think it’s such a fabulous series! My favorites this week include #1, 3, 6, 10, 15.

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This time in Piano Pantry history:

2016 – Friday Finds: Unlocking Creativity, Unfurling Jolene

2016 – Announcing Piano Pantry’s first Big Resource!

2017 – Friday Finds: PawPaw and Money-Making Tips

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Creating a video in forScore for your online students
(Deborah Rambo Sinn)

Using forScore to give written feedback from online lessons
(Deborah Rambo Sinn)

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New Piano Studio Layout for COVID-19 Social Distancing
(Rebekah Maxner)

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Piano on the Patio! Quarantine Teaching Adventures Continued
(Joy Morin | ColorInMyPiano)

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How COVID Led My Students to Amazing Creative Music Endeavours
(LouAnn Pope |  Tonara.com)

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Lots going on in our profession!

Last week I gave a shout-out of congratulations to Sara Campbell on her rebranding.

This week we’re giving three more shout-outs:

Nicola Cantan from Vibrant Music Teaching just opened a shop with some fun t-shirt and coffee mug swag.

Beginning today and running through September 27th, Jennifer Foxx is celebrating her 10-year blog-aversary with 10 days of freebies and giveaways!

Tim Topham officially launched the new Top Music Marketplace.
(P.S. You can find some of my top-selling music lab resources there!)
(P.S.S. I was tickled to get a little shout-out on the podcast announcement at around the 2:55 marker. 🙂 )

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Washington: Images of the Evergreen State (The Atlantic)

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Christmas Music Round-Up, 2020 Edition (Chrissy Ricker)

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“Because” vs. “And” (Seth Godin)

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This Spinach and Feta Frittata made for a lovely lunch this past week! Now that my husband works from home full time – we both do – some days our lunches are a little more special than just leftovers!

P.S. I added 8oz. sliced mushrooms in and sautéed them with the onions before adding in the egg mixture. 

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The piano pedagogy world has experienced a great loss in the passing of Nancy Bachus.

You may be most familiar with some of her publications including Exploring Piano Classics, Beyond the (Baroque/Classical/Romantic) Spirit, and Alfred’s Great Music & Musicians: An Overview of Music History.

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Bluegrass music makes it into my playlist often. One group I have been especially fond of is The Arcadian Wild. Some of my favorite pieces include (links to the songs will open in Spotify):

Blue Eyed Girl
The Food Truck Blues
Wander. Wonder.
The Ballad of Donnie Gene

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Everyone is going bonkers for Rock out Loud, but here’s some great information on how Zoom is stepping up from Davis Dorough over at Creative Piano Teacher – High-Fidelity Music Mode in Zoom.

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Life is Too Short (Joshua Becker | Becoming Minimalist)

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Louisiana: Images of the Pelican State (The Atlantic)

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How one kid can destroy the performance of John Cage solo for sliding trombone.

This is hilarious and, bless his heart, the performer was a trooper! The title is wrong though in my opinion. The kid didn’t destroy the solo – the solo brought the child great joy! 🙂 I’m with the kid – it’s a hilarious solo! LOL.

If you don’t want to watch the whole thing, the highlight starts around 3-min in.

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Send piano tuning reminders to your studio families. (Sara Campbell | Saras Music Studio)

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Congrats to Sara, by the way on her rebranding from Sara Campbell-Biz Coach to Savvy Music Studio.

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Load up on some great Halloween sheet music to give out over the next few weeks! Favorite Sheet Music Piano Solos for Halloween.

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Here are some ideas for easy meals as you’re getting back into the swing of teaching.