Seeing Charles Ives in Every Student

Today I would like to talk about a revelation I had this week. It started out as a dilemma. 


One of the parents of a student I have in a group class, complained loudly because I did not start class right on the dot and she felt like her son was getting her money's worth.  She usually is the first one in the class, with her child in tow, even before the students from the previous class have left.  I feel her impatience.  It makes me tense and feel pressured.
But being the overly sensitive musician I am, I have also been looking inside myself to see what I can learn from this and how best to handle it.

This isn't about being right or wrong. Her complaints are valid. But it is, to me about teaching philosophy. As I pondered this conundrum over the weekend, I had an epiphany with one of my students!! 

Here is the story. 

By the way, I am also employed as a  church pianist.  The pastor from my church spoke about positive thinking. I was still cranky from Saturday, and I really didn't want to hear it.  I had this little child ego voice inside me, saying I'm right and she is ignorant.  But then the rational side of me says I can learn something from this, whether I like it or not.  I do get negative and turn a problem inside and out and won't let go. Like a big pimple getting ready to pop. (sorry, yucky analogy). 

I went to one of my student's houses. I've had him since he was 5. He's 12 now.  I love this kid. But he can be a little bit annoying at times.  I sat down and asked him to do his scales, trying to get him to focus. His parents are exasperated with his goofing around too. I sat and waited. He plunked a few notes, fiddled with pedals, plunked some more.  He laughed. I know him, he's not being disrespectful. He likes to experiment. And I had this breakthrough suddenly.  How can I turn this negative into a positive? 

I asked him instead of banging around randomly, to look out the window.  He saw a car wiz by, and a dog. I said make the piano sound like what you see. SAY something with your playing.  And then all of a sudden his plunking sounded musical. So I texted his mom, who was in the kitchen. I said "Can you pull up Charles Ives on your notepad? Your son is channeling him in the living room."

So she pulled up Charles Ives on YouTube.  We found his quarter tone piano pieces. The Allegro sounded almost exactly like what he was playing. We were dumbfounded. So was my student.  I told him that was his assignment this week.  An Ives' like composition.

I told his mom, "Out of great desperation can come the most creativity." But of course, one must be open minded and flexible for this to happen.

I imagine Charles Ives had some teachers who were frustrated with him and tried to make him more mainstream.  I do not want to be one of those teachers. 
The pressure to conform is great, but I am determined to be me!  My style is not for everyone. There are many amazing teachers.  But I think it is important to maintain your individuality, openly and honestly. Not to change into who you think your students or parents want you to be. But who you are and how that can best serve your students. 

I hope you all can find your voice in music.  If so, you will have a friend that you can turn to for the rest of your life. Whether you are a pianist, a guitarist, a singer, a horn player, or a drummer, your instrument will be something you turn to time and time again for comfort when the demands of life get you down.

After my rather intense weekend, I came home and sat at my piano. I felt the weight of the world lift from my shoulders with every note I played.  Music can inspire and delight. It can also heal.  Have a wonderful week!

Peace,

Teacher Zita :)

End of the Year Piano Recitals

Let's start our engines, pianists!  Over the next few weeks, we will be selecting pieces for our end of the year piano recital!  I love this time of year!

Start thinking about what you might want to work on. If you like a challenge, this would be a good opportunity to pick a larger, more challenging piece, if you are committed to spending time working on it. I can help you with your selection. Music does not need to be memorized.

I have the CMC auditorium reserved for spring piano recitals the following dates and times:.


Sunday 05/26: 

5:00 p.m.

or

6:30 p.m.

 Sunday 06/09: 

 6 p.m.

or

7:30 p.m.Important Note:  The 7:30 p.m. recital on 06/09 is only for advanced students.    

 

Greetings Piano People! :)

Today is February 18, 2013. My how time flies! Only 4 more weeks of winter term! 

This term I have been focusing on note reading, theory, sight reading and technique.  Great job, students - I see a huge improvement in note recognition for the new beginners and sight reading for my continuing students. Yay! :)

One of my continuing classes at the Community Music Center helped me come up with a new game. We are calling it:  "Mad Staff".  If you've ever played "Mad Libs", it's similar, but using the letters of the notes on the Grand Staff. 

I'm still working out the kinks, but it's grand fun! (Pun intended!) :)
I'll post the rules and results on my blog over spring break.

Speaking of which, Spring Break is March 19 - March 31st. If you are in one of my Saturday classes, I will be accompanying a violin recital on March 9th, so no classes that day. There will be a make up class on Saturday, March 23rd.

There will be no recital at the end of this term.  But I will be posting dates and times of my June recitals soon!

If students are wanting some extra fun music to play that is not in the lesson book, I highly recommend the website gmajormusictheory.org
The creator of the website, Gilbert deBenedetti is a piano teacher. He makes piano music available free online and even puts it into appropriate levels.  This is all public domain music and perfectly legal.  He also has music theory and guitar music. Just go to his site and click on "Free Piano Music". If you are a beginning note reader, 1st pieces and Primer would be a good place to start. You can listen first and then download and print! Feel free to look at more challenging pieces too. If you don't understand anything, remember you have a very helpful piano teacher!

Be cool, play music!  :)

Teacher Zita :)

Piano Lesson Resources in Portland, Oregon, USA!

Hooray for piano lessons, my group classes at the Community Music Center are mostly full, some with waiting lists!!!  I spoke with Kelly Bechtell, Registrar Czar yesterday, and he informed me that I have room for 2 or 3 more students in a few group classes at CMC.  The students in these classes have all had at least 3 months of lessons.  Call CMC for the schedule.


Scheduling can be an issue in a busy family's life and you may not be able to find a class that fits your schedule. And while CMC is an amazing place, but I have been doing some research and there are many amazing teachers and music schools in Portland!

Here is what I discovered:  

Within the Portland Parks and Recreation system, many community centers offer private piano instruction.  If you live in S.E. Portland, Woodstock, Sellwood and East Portland Community Center are nice facilities with private piano lessons.  Go to: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/39839
or call: 503.823.PLAY (7529)  for more information. 
  
I spoke to Joanna at Harmony Road in Clackamas.  She told me they do have openings for winter term. Harmony Road offer a comprehensive music program using the European fixed "do" method.  They teach in a classroom, small group setting.  You can find out more information about their program at: http://www.harmonyroadoregon.com/  
or call:  503.557.5151 for more information.

I spoke with Danielle at Ethos Music Center in North Portland. She told me they have openings for winter term.  Ethos offers group piano lessons and private lessons.  And if you qualify for reduced or free lunch, you can bring your award letter into Ethos and they will give you discounted lessons.   For more information about Ethos, please visit their site at: http://ethos.org/about/general-info/
or call:  503.283.8467 for more information


Winter term at the Community Music Center begins 01/07/2013.  If you would like to take a class at CMC, but the class you desire is full, you are welcome to call and sign up for the waiting list.  Sometimes students drop out, especially as we head into spring sport season.  Their phone number is: 503.823.3177.
For more information about CMC, or to look into other music classes, you can also go to their website: http://communitymusiccenter.org/ 



 Let's keep the music going! :)

Peace,

Teacher Zita

WINTER TERM 2013

WINTER TERM!!

Hello Parents, Students and Friends of the Piano!

I hope you all are having a fabulous winter break and an enjoyable holiday season of whatever holiday you celebrate!

I am organizing the piles of music in  my piano studio, reading a pile of books, practicing and enjoying some down time. But with winter term just around the corner, I am starting to get excited to start teaching again! :)

I generally do not hold a recital at the end of Winter Term. Winter is a good time to stay cozy inside, practice, and brush up on music theory! :) Don't worry, I promise to make it fun with musical games, but I think music theory is interesting and fun without the games. I hope you will too!

My next big student piano recitals will be in June.  So after we spend some time on theory, scales, sight-reading, etc., you may want to consider searching for a stellar recital piece.  With several months time to practice, you can work up something marvelous!

Winter term at the Community Music Center begins 01/07/2013.  I spoke with Kelly Bechtell, the Registrar Extraordinaire at CMC yesterday.  At this point, all of my classes are full.  You are welcome to call and sign up for the waiting list.  Sometimes students drop out, especially as we head into spring sport season.  Their phone number is: 503.823.3177.
For more information about CMC, or to look into other music classes, you can also go to their website: http://communitymusiccenter.org/ .


I have made a slight change in my schedule, and now have a few openings on Wednesday evenings.  I have 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. available.  After those are filled, I am officially full for winter term in my private studio as well! If you are a new student, please contact me and I will put you on my waiting list.  

I am typing up a separate post about group piano. Look for it on my blog shortly! :)

I hope to see you soon. Keep the music going! 

Below is my financial policy:  

My rate for piano lessons is $20/half hour.

There are several payment methods you can choose from, but I would encourage you to consider paying at the beginning of the term for the entire 12 week term. I prefer not to have to think or talk about payment - Just want to think about music!

However, if that is not an option for you, you can choose what works best.

In hardship cases, I will always slide your fee. My students have always been more important to me than my pocketbook!

FINANCIAL POLICY

Option 1:  Prepay for the entire 12 week term at the beginning of the term (Winter term for private students begins Monday, January 7 and goes through March 31, 2013)
1 student:  $200
2 students: $400
Option 2:  Prepay for the month in advance. (Due on the first lesson of the month)
1 student:  $75
2 students:  $150
Option 3:  Pay as you go – $20 per half hour for each student

I take cash, check or Paypal

Enjoy the rest of winter break and let's keep the music going! :)

Peace,

Teacher Zita :)

End of Term Piano Recitals - Important Stuff! :)

End of Term Piano Recitals

Dear Students and Parents:

Here we are nearing the end of Fall term already - time flies when you’re having fun and making music! Most of you have already signed up for a spot on one of my recitals.  If not, please see me!

Recital dates and times:

Sunday, December 9; 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 16; 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Place:
Community Music Center Auditorium (Main Floor)

I usually suggest that students arrive about 15 minutes early. If you are able, please bring something to share at the reception.  Cookies, crackers, cheese, fruit, veggies, juice, paper cups, plates and napkins are all welcome. Pianists do work up an appetite!  Students may dress in whatever they are comfortable wearing on stage.

I like the students to sit in the front two rows and family in the rest of the auditorium. You may bring family members, but keep in mind the auditorium only holds about 100 people comfortably.

Students may use sheet music. I sit on stage at the piano in case they need help. And please do not worry about making a mistake! Above all, do your best and enjoy - music is meant to be shared - performance is fun! But, if you are a bit nervous, that’s ok too. Just remember all the goodies after the recital! :)

Email me if you have any questions! :)  

Teacher Zita  

(pianoteacherpdx@yahoo.com)

Looking for a piano?

I posted some information a few weeks ago about where to go and what to look for in a piano. In the meantime, Peggy from Classic Pianos called.  She told me if any of my students come in looking for a piano, and mention my name, she will give them a discount! 

Just wanted to pass that on to you.  Classic Pianos is at 3003 SE Milwaukie Ave (off of 12th and Powell.  Next door to Classic Pianos is Portland Music Company, which is a fun place to go and browse for sheet music.  They are very helpful and there is even a little piano in the back room if you want to try your music before you buy! :)