Piano Pedagogy Course

Royal Conservatory of Music Piano Pedagogy Certificate Program

One of the most interesting examinations of late is that offered by the Royal Conservatory of Music in piano pedagogy.

This three tiered scheme offers examinations in elementary, intermediate, and advanced pedagogy, and with respective practical co-requisites, leads to an ARCT Diploma.

The pedagogy exam happens in two parts: a viva voce examination and a written examination.

The elementary pedagogy certificate requires completion of an RCMusic grade nine practical examination in piano, and includes pedagogy from the rank beginner level up to and including grade two.

The intermediate pedagogy certificate requires completion of a grade 10 practical piano examination, and includes pedagogical concepts and repertoire from grade three to grade six inclusive.

The advanced pedagogy certificate is taken in combination with a Teacher's ARCT, and includes repertoire and concepts from grade seven through to grade 10. The Teacher's ARCT diploma is awarded only to students age 18 or older.

Each level must be taken successively.

In preparing for the exam, you will consult and study from reputable piano pedagogy text books to learn concepts and teaching methods relevant to your pedagogy level, and will study repertoire from the appropriate level to apply pedagogical concepts to.



The viva voce is an interactive portion of the exam, whereby you have the opportunity to answer relevant questions posed by the examiner regarding technique, interpretation, and methodology.

Through the performance of repertoire at the appropriate level, you can demonstrate your understanding of concepts, interpretation and technique within, and then discuss pedagogical aspects of, and ways to assist your students' learning experience.

The written exam focuses on aspects of pedagogy not geared towards an oral setting, with the chance to support answers through repertoire examples and illustrations.

Much more detailed information can be found at:

http://examinations.rcmusic.ca/plan-your-examination/academic-information/piano-pedagogy-certificate


Personally speaking, the Royal Conservatory of Music Piano Pedagogy examination is an enjoyable and rewarding examination, one that should enhance the career path of any aspiring teacher.

I am happy to answer questions regarding this course and exam for anyone with interest.

I am happy to offer this course through Skype for those too far away to commute weekly.

rowsellstudio@bellaliant.net for details.

Alexander Technique and me

http://alexandertechnique.com/

 As a young masters student, I had the good fortune to take part in a weekend workshop of Alexander Technique. The teacher was an elderly lady situated in New York (her name escapes me) who saturated us in Alexander Technique for 3 jam packed days.

We spent the first day learning how to sit. One by one, the teacher would round the room to assist everyone in aligning the spine, and placing the head in it's correct position resting on top of the spine. (I assume).

She had the magic touch. It was amazing that she could barely lay her fingers, hand, in a certain spot on the head, neck, and so forth, and immediately one's body felt lighter, easier, and in a different place.

I marvelled at how this could be.

By day 2, we got to walk across the room (none of us particularly well, apparently), and finally the moment we waited for arrived on day 3. We got to sit at the piano.

I left the weekend a new me, and craving more.

As time wore on, I slipped into my old ways, as I was unable to put my body in that special place the Alexander Technique instructor had so effortlessly. My attempts to do so resulted in more tension than previous. I had to resign myself to the fact that Alexander Technique for me would have to be an ongoing thing, if I were to incorporate it into my life.

A recent read, many many years later,urged one to "think up". As I read these words, I did think up, and my body felt suddenly better, different.

Finally my workshop experience makes sense;  think up. This is my more comfortable place. The instructor, I think, was lengthening the spine. (No doubt there is much more detail involved than this, but for now, this works for me).

I am a supporter of this technique to enhance ease at the keyboard, and I do recommend that those able to learn more about Alexander Technique take the opportunity to do so.

Ridding the body of tension, restrictions, tightness, opens the pianist up to a marked difference in the quality of sound production.

Music Apps for ipad

                                         My new apps for ipad :

I would like to share with you the most recent apps I have discovered suitable for piano/music lessons and students, which I've just begun using on my new ipad.

JustPractice: this free app is the ideal place to record practice minutes and weekly practice totals. There is a calendar, a place to notate the pieces you are working on, a practice log, a weekly log, a link to you tube for listening purposes, and so much more! I love this app, and recommend students download it on their iphone or ipad for regular use.

wessar ABRSM Reader: this free sight reading app is great, since the bar you have just finished playing disappears from sight to prompt you to read ahead. Sight reading examples are available at varying levels.

Note Squish: This app helps students learn note names on the staff. One must squish the mole that appears with the correct letter name to win points. For $ .99, a great buy!

Music Keys: this free app helps students identify the note names of the piano keys. When asked, press the correct key on the piano, and the key colors (turns blue, or orange or....) , and moves forward.

Music Notes: colorful training here to learn note values, such as whole note, half note, quarter note, and so on.

We learn from each other, therefore I would like to give credit to pianoanne (Nova Scotia) and Music Study Studio (Arizona) for their posts about popular music apps.

Colleagues in other parts of the country and the world are doing fantastic and creative things in the field of piano pedagogy, and are gracious to share their creations and talents through blogging.

Practice Results May 2012

               Practice Results for May 2012 have hit the press.................




Most Improved Student:              Meghan White

Student of the Month:                  Meghan White

Most Practice Minutes:                Lisa Bourne



Honourable Mention Most Improved Students:

Lisa Bourne
Ella Sutherby
Nell Shea
Felix Marino
Sam Newhook

Congratulations to each and every student for a fabulous year of music! I hear amazing playing in my studio on a weekly basis, and think every student has made great strides as a pianist in 2011/2012.

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