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February 2023
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Faber's Piano Adventures9/1/2017 Written by Doniell CushmanPiano teachers have to stay up to date on the latest literature and methods for their students and their studio. Piano Adventures by Faber is one of the leading methods in the United States. With 3 separate focus approaches, they are a leader in methods available for beginning students. Piano Adventures presents several great and contemporary methodology series. Below is a list of those series, the levels incorporated, the age groups they are intended for, and the type of material they incorporate:
My First Piano Adventure Preparatory A-C 5-6 Pre-Reading - Early Beginner Piano Adventures Primer - 5 6-11 Beginner - Intermediate Accelerated Piano Adventures 1-2 11-17 Elementary - Early Intermediate Adult Piano Adventures 1-2 18+ Elementary - Intermediate In addition to the method studies, Faber has a vast catalog of supplemental material that will make any student's heart skip a beat. Each level of the standard piano adventures has a corresponding set of books (i.e. PreTime, PlayTime, etc.) with the following:
I Can Read Music, Scale and Chord Books, Once Upon A Rainbow, Piano Literature, and the Discover Improvisation books are additional supplements. What are the benefits of using the Faber Piano Adventures Methods and supplements? Good question. Faber approaches music with a strong emphasis on the following: Strong focus on developing music reading in logical sequence, illustrations are simple and do not detract from the material presented, printing size is large and appropriate, balanced musical styles presented from classics and traditionals to originals, students explore the entire keyboard by using a variety of hand positions early on, beginning off the staff allows for strong rhythmic development, reinforcement of each concept, pianistic pieces and/or arrangements, technique focused on using the body correctly and comfortably, logical introduction of patterns, development of both hands is equal and well structured, emphasis on the music itself as art, appealing music and lyrics, duets and improvisation, countless supplementary materials. These are just the broad highlights of the Faber Piano Adventures method. As a teacher, I enjoy the Piano Adventures for the most part. Music is introduced in a highly approachable way. The likelihood of successful development as an artistic musician with using the Faber method is high, making it a competitive choice among piano teachers today. My only drawback is that this is a slower method, and as such, students will usually complete their books a lot sooner than expected. Personally, I wish there was a stronger emphasis on Theory with this series, and this is seriously lacking. The Theory books seem a waste of space as they often don't add much value to what is being learned. Drawing what you read is an integral part to understanding it - just as we all learned in pre-school or kindergarten with the alphabet. However, I have many requests to play favorite songs at recitals and these books really do justice to the performance aspect of music. I have never had a difficult time with this series, but I have had to move students to other methods due to the slow pace these take. My preference for most students is the Alfred method. I do like this method though, and tend to use it with the very young beginner, and slower paced students. The books are inexpensive, easy to find at all music dealers and definitely worth an investment in the supplemental methods. You can find a complete listing here: pianoadventures.com/
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Written by Doniell CushmanYour hands are the most important part of your body as a pianist. In order to keep them in the best shape possible, you must use proper care and hygiene to keep them working and feeling their best on those bright white ivories.
1. Wash Those Hands: This may seem ridiculous to state, but the truth of the matter is many musicians don't think about this when it's time to practice or perform. You obviously can't expect your 8 year old to get a good practice if they just ate a PB&J and sat down at the piano. Cleanliness really makes a difference. Slickness, stickiness, dryness, and foreign objects can all be a hindrance to a solid playing session. Things you (or your student) may have done that would constitute a hand washing directly before practice:
3. Manicures: You don't have to see a salon pro to keep your fingers trim, and smooth. Trim your nails weekly to keep them short enough to play without interference. File your nails' edges to keep them smooth and from preventing a good solid practice. Failure to do so can result in something as minor as snagging a nail on the edge of a key, to developing tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Trim your hang nails immediately. I tell my students to keep nail clippers and emery boards or files everywhere. A simple crystal file can last forever, and never needs to be thrown out or sharpened. Pick up inexpensive clippers or manicure tools at the local dollar store to stay on a budget, and place them in a container on or near the piano, in your bag or purse, at work, on your nightstand, in every bathroom, etc. 4. Moisturize: It's best not to moisturize before playing because your pores may not have absorbed all the product, but make a routine of using lotion several times throughout the day. After using a moisturizer, wait at least 10 minutes, or until hands are fully dry before playing in order to allow maximum absorption. Soft hands can make a huge difference in touch sensation of the keys at any age. Try using something with aloe, vitamin E, and a natural moisturizer like Shea butter or an oil base (avocado, olive). My personal favorite is creating my own lotion with beeswax, jojoba, and vitamin E and adding my favorite essential oils that support skin health like Frankincense, Lavender, and Tea Tree. Find more out here, or become a member today! www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/new-start?sponsorid=10456767&enrollerid=10456767&isocountrycode=US&culture=en-US&type=member 5. Technique & Exercise: Look, if you want to be a great piano player, or musician of any type, you must exercise your hands! Technical works are a great way to do this. Ask me for a recommendation based off your skill level and the areas you need improvement on, and I can find the right material for you. Some suggestions:
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Practice Basket7/1/2017 Written by Doniell CushmanYou need a practice basket. Don't even think about arguing with me about this, you need one.
What the heck is a practice basket? It's a useful resource for any budding musician to keep handy on, or near their instrument and practice space. It will help you (or your student) be most successful in practice at home, or any location. I suggest going to any dollar store where they will have most everything on this list, but you can of course use things you already have around the house, or purchase the products you already love. How you get these items makes no difference to me, the teacher.
At the end of my most recent recital, Spring of 2017, I had each student build their own practice basket, and explained why they needed the items in it. I loaded up at the dollar store, and only spent about $30 out of pocket for around 20 students. I'd say it was a steal since I didn't have to pay for the recital space! If you have more than 1 musician in your home, I strongly urge you to have a practice basket for each. Young children will ultimately want to make sure what's theirs is theirs, but we older musicians like to use reliable products and know that brand we love is always in there. There are of course many ways to create a practice basket, so I'd love to hear what you put, or have in yours! Take a photo too, I'd love to see it.
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Alfred's Basic Piano Library3/27/2017 Written By Doniell CushmanPiano teachers have to stay up to date on the latest literature and methods for their students and their studio. Alfred Publishing is one of the foremost publishers of music and music literature in the world today. As such, Alfred has a firm footing in the methodology of piano. Alfred presents several great classic and contemporary series. Below is a list of those series, the levels incorporated, the age groups they are intended for, and the type of material they incorporate:
What are the benefits of Alfred Methods? Good question. Alfred approaches music with a strong emphasis on the following: Comprehensive and attractive formatting, illustrations reflect the material, printing size is appropriate, continuous presentation with concepts introduced logically, students explore the entire keyboard, beginning off the staff allows for rhythmic development, reinforcement of each concept, intervals emphasized for reading music, key signatures are introduced with a definite plan, logical introduction of rhythm patterns and meter signatures, technique is a systematic part of development, allows for development of both hands, emphasis on common musical articulations, appealing music and lyrics, predictable original music combined with twists on classics everyone knows, wide range of musical styles, duets, in-depth musical theory program, countless supplementary materials. These are just the broad highlights of the Alfred's method. As a teacher, I enjoy the Alfred's method immensely. Music is introduced logically and chronologically making it very approachable for over 80% of new piano students. The likelihood of successful development as a musician with using the Alfred's method is high, making it the number one choice among most piano teachers today. In addition, the students really enjoy Alfred books and literature. I have many requests to play favorite songs at recitals. Rarely, do students have a difficult time with this series. My preference for most students is the Alfred method. Most students begin in the Alfred's Basic Piano Library (ABPL), or in the ABPL Prep Course depending upon their age. The books are inexpensive, easy to find at all music dealers, and very worth the investment. You can find a complete listing here: www.alfred.com/ |