Category - Friday Finds

 

1 – April Veggies

Cooking using seasonal produce makes a lot of sense and I would like to say that I do that – I do try, but it’s not always easy. Anyway, this is what’s currently in season. Asparagus, snow peas, and radishes are my favorite Spring veggies.

 

2 – Winning Game

I finally bit the bullet and bought Note Speed that I’ve been hearing so much about. We played it in this week’s group classes and my students went crazy! Wish I would have bought it sooner.

 

3 – Annual Studio Challenge

Speaking of note-naming, my students and I are currently working on our One-Minute Club note-naming challenge.

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1 – Lesson Alternatives

This morning I texted the link to a video lesson I made for a student who couldn’t make their lesson this week. Video and Facetime lessons are great alternatives. Read about my first Facetime lesson experience here. Also, check out this recent post on Colourful Keys on how to teach a Facetime/Skype piano lesson.

 

2 – Left Hand Fun

Tim’s Ultimate Guide to Left Hand Patterns is a free download you don’t want to miss.

 

3- Tactile Learning

On Instagram, I recently shared a photo of me teaching the skips alphabet to two sisters using manipulative’s. The cloth staffs have stirred a buzz in other photos I’ve shared on Instagram so I thought I would highlight them here. It’s from the Kreative Keyboard Activities and Games pack. They’re compact – since they’re made of cloth and can be easily folded up, and versatile – as they have the staff on one side and keyboard on the other.

 

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1 – Spring Food

The most incredibly beautiful and Spring-filled spread of food ever. Seriously, who eats like this?

 

2 – Online Value

Valuing online friends and connections. I couldn’t agree more, Fran.

 

3 – Spotify Lessons

I’ve had a Spotify account for years. This past year, when I started my Ukulele class, I started using it a lot more. The more I use it, the more I like it. For quite a while now, I’ve had on my to-do list of “non-important and non-time sensitive items,” to spend a little time researching Spotify to make sure I’m utilizing its features. When I finally did, I came across this article which I found useful.

 

4 – I Love Her

My new favorite artist is Jess Ray. My new favorite song is The Answer to Every Question (Technicolor Jesus). Actually, it’s been my favorite “new” for like 6 months but I just now got around to telling you about it. 🙂

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1 – Making it Click and Stick

Teaching scale and key signature patterns with an off-the-bench activity from Natalie Weber at Music Matters Blog

 

2 – #iwanttoworktheretoo

Experience office envy on this video tour of Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income’s home office.

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1 – Should You Apply?

A wonderful opportunity to further your career! The Frances Clark Center is currently seeking an Editor-in-Chief/Chief Content Director (EIC) to lead and direct all aspects of its digital and print publication, Clavier Companion.

 

2 – Do You Let Them In?

Your Kitchen Table by Seth Godin.

 

3 – Mama Bear

An amusing story of a piano teacher’s experience with moveable do and une mère française.

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1 – Spicing Up Burgmüller

New two-piano teaching duets for Burgmüller’s Op. 100!

 

2 – #MusicTeacherChat

MTNA started a new initiative on Twitter called Music Teacher Monday. I’m not a big Twitter user myself, but if you are, it sounds interesting!

 

3 – Reality

Kinda personal, but hey, it’s life. The Undergarment Essentials Every Woman Should Own.

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1 – Blackbean Brownies

When it comes to sweets I can say no to just about anything but brownies or cookies. I rarely make brownies but man, do I love them. I’m looking forward to trying this interesting recipe which uses black beans as a base. Sounds gross, I know, but I have a feeling they’ll be a winning “healthy brownie” recipe.

 

2 – Willing to be Ridiculous

“…if I want to chase after beauty in this world and make art, I have to maintain my right to be ridiculous.”

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3 – Ahh!

Seth Godin has a new podcast! Nuf said.

 

 

 

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1 – Group Activity

I can’t wait to use this Piano Flip Book activity with my students during their group classes. What a fun way to learn about their instrument!

 

2 – History of Seasoning Duo

How Did Salt And Pepper Become The Soulmates Of Western Cuisine?

 

3 – Tech Tips

A Few Simple Tools to Hook Up Your iPad to the TV.

 

4 – Amateurs Unite

“Educating children for expertise suits the economy. We need the people who do the jobs to be as good as possible at them. But what we lose when we let the ethos of success dominate is the sheer fulfillment of doing things that absorb us even if we’re relatively bad at them.”

Read more from I’m a second-rate pianist – and proud of it.

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1 – Teaching Your Children

Did I Make a Mistake Teaching Piano to My Three Sons?| 88 Piano Keys.

2 – Game Management and Assembly

How I Print, Trim, Laminate, and Assemble Piano Teaching Games | Colourful Keys. I especially like her tips at 10:15 (laminating flimsy sheets), 18:30 (trimming the edge of game boards uniformly), and 19:50 (cheap game pieces)

3 – Updated Method

The 2nd Edition of the Piano Safari method is here! Check out all the new updates here. The items I’m most excited about include:

Book 1

• The inclusion of Improvisation Pieces to accompany each animal technique (these are currently contained in Animal Adventures as well).
• Slightly different order of pieces

Book 2

• Practice and analysis suggestions are added for many of the pieces
• Portrait orientation (upright) instead of Landscape orientation

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