Online Teaching; Guidelines and Tips for Parents rowsellpiano Kanata

I am so pleased to be able to continue piano lessons in a new and temporary online setting for everyone during this uncertain and changing time.

Music is a vital means of self expression, creativity, and communication, an outlet that positively effects the health and well being of everyone. Continuing a routine, setting up a practice schedule and defining goals will provide a sense of control, purpose, and accomplishment for your child.


I have explored several mediums for holding lessons, and have found Skype to be the best choice for sound quality in Google Chrome. Here is a link to download Skype: https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/

The download is quick and easy, I have Skype on both my iphone and laptop. Send me a connect request in advance of the lesson with the information provided in your email from me, then call me at the start time of your lesson.

A second medium I offer is FaceTime, available on apple products. This simply consists of calling me using my phone number on FaceTime, and we begin.   https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204380
As with Skype, call me at the start time of your lesson.

Here are some tips for successful online lessons:

1. your child needs to see me clearly in a large window
2. your child needs to hear me well so we can communicate
3. your child may need your initial help at the start of the lesson to be sure the camera is set up and functioning properly.
4. some young children, perhaps under the age of 10, will need a parent in the room to re- iterate what I say and focus your child on the task at hand.

                                                           How to set up:

Use your computer or ipad for the lesson. If you do not have this option, an iphone will do, but is not the best choice since the screen is too small for proper communication.

Position the camera at the right or high end of the piano with a view of the keyboard and the students' hands and body. Back your device up to take in this view. Be sure the volume is turned up, and unmute the sound. You may wish to test the sound and visual a few minutes before the lesson.

Place your device on a music stand, chair, or whatever is available to present the video roughly at the height of the keys or slightly higher.

Have all music books, a pencil and paper ready for the lesson. The student can take notes during the lesson, and record assignments. I may need to see the score at times; I will ask for a closer view when this is necessary.

Do your best to keep distractions away from the lesson.

If it's not perfect the first time, don't worry. It may take a few lessons to settle in.

If the connection is lost and irretrievable at your lesson time, we will try the second of the 2 choices above. If that does not work, have an alternate time for the same week in mind to hold your lesson.

      Some tips for continued practice:

Set aside a scheduled practice time that recurs every day. Post a schedule in the home, and record the days/minutes practiced on a chart. Here are some options for free practice charts:

https://makingmusicfun.net/htm/printit-oliver-sticker-practice-chart.php

https://www.google.com/search?q=piano+practice+chart+free+printable&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=C8WA_i602zB_vM%253A%252CWtjf8EUiq7tqsM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSsLbq5Z9wtIbd3nT3mW-HaPxP3Ag&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjV362g0a7oAhWPuZ4KHWVpASMQ9QEwAHoECAoQIA#imgrc=GpJQKkfqWqBW8M

Be positive, and provide reasons to practice for your child. I will be posting practice rewards on my blog for top practice minutes.

Send recorded/live performances to family and friends over FaceTime or other. Try setting up a group piano meeting among friends where everyone performs over Skype.

Finally, I am offering every student the opportunity during this online period to send me a video of a performance (from memory preferably) uploaded to youtube (for example), for my critique. Do this as a test performance, and I will send you back comments.

For anyone with impossible work conflicts during the normal lesson time, please notify me and we will work something out.



I look forward to the new experiences (and perhaps some Chopin) and to the learning curve that awaits us all online! See you soon!

March/April Studio Awards rowsellpiano Kanata

                                               
                                              March/April Studio Awards rowsellpiano


                                                           Most Improved Student(s)

                                                                       Allan Yi
                                                                 Joaquin Alarcon


                                                            Most Practice Minutes

                                                                        Kevin Alt


                                                             Up And Coming Student

                                                              Raina Taylor-Hernandez


                                     Congratulations to all students for their fine work!
                                                                   rowsellpiano.ca

January/February student awards rowsellpiano Kanata

                         rowsellpiano Kanata January/February 2018 Studio Results




                                    Most Improved Student     Anita Gaffury- Kasbiy



                                    Most Outstanding Student       Miya Suzuki



                                    Up and Coming  Student:        Mahi Neni



                         Congratulations to all students on a productive two months!

                              Rowsell Piano Studio News Student Awards


                               Studio Results for October-December 2017



                         Most Improved Student:                          Sophie Shen



                         Most Outstanding Student:                       Charlie Sun



                         Most Practice Minutes:                             Allan Yi



                            Congratulations to all students for a successful term!

PRACTICE CHART

http://makingmusicfun.net/htm/printit-oliver-sticker-practice-chart.htm

Try this link for a fun practice chart:

http://makingmusicfun.net/pdf/practice-charts/piano-practice-chart.pdf

Or, you can print out your favorite:

http://makingmusicfun.net/htm/printit-oliver-sticker-practice-chart.htm

to record your practice minutes!



there is a new comment system on my blog, which should make it easy for you to leave a comment. give it a try!

Piano Lessons, Kanata Ottawa rowsellpiano

             What Can I Do For Your Child's Piano Education?



"Rowsell Piano Studio is the single best place to receive a music education. Nowhere else will you find a teacher with such an incredible combination of experience, talent, qualification, and motivation towards the success of every single student she encounters. " Shruti Raheja

I will give your child a love for music. I teach piano, as I know the joy of expression through music making, the thrill of moving your fingers over the keys with that 'is this really me' sensation, and the unspoken language that only music can convey.

My studio is fun, positive, and encouraging. I foster confidence and creativity, and since every student is unique,my lessons suit your child's individual needs.

What are you waiting for? Come join the studio to create your own success story!



rowsellpiano.ca 
rowsellstudio@bellaliant.net
Ottawa, Kanata

HOW TO MEMORIZE

                                             This blog is for you, students.

As festival time approaches, you all work hard on many things in your music, to include memorization.

                                                  How do you memorize?

                           First, I am going to tell you how NOT to memorize:

Don't rely on your fingers to know the way. When you play your piece for a long time, your fingers automatically move to the right notes. Or, do they? If your brain is not engaged, then this is much like going boating without a life jacket. You may fall in, and not be able to save yourself! Just when you least expect it!

So, what do you do? You make sure your brain understands the music. Know what key you are in, know the key changes, know what chord you are playing, and know what the pattern of notes is.

Compare like phrases and sections, for any subtle changes.

Know the starting notes of each section. This will create landmarks in the music, safe harbors that you can immediately jump to if you do forget the music for a moment.

Have a friend or parent play scrabble with you. Here, number the sections/phrases you have decided to be your landmarks. When mom asks for number 4, you start at that point and play forward. You then stop at the next landmark. Mix up the numbers, to be sure you can quickly begin at any point.

ANALYZING phrases and sections allows you to know the structure of your piece. You will understand the music better this way.

You can do some of this work AWAY from the piano, with your brain and a pencil.

So, be sure your BRAIN knows what comes next all the time, and you should be okay.

Mine is a short version. For an extended in depth

http://collaborativepiano.blogspot.com/2007/07/memorization-tips-and-hacks.html

view on how to memorize, try the link above:

                                      
Happy memorizing,

rowsellpiano

Choosing the Right Piano Teacher

Your five year old daughter is begging for piano lessons! What a thrill that her interest to learn a musical instrument has been sparked at this young age! You envision future years of beautiful music filling your home as she practices.

How do you choose a teacher?

Well, how do you choose a hairdresser? Shop for the freshest ear of corn? Find the perfect New Year's party dress?

Finding a piano teacher, then, needs time and consideration.

Above all, know that you deserve the best teacher you can find for your beginning child, as what she learns in the beginning stages will shape future pianistic development. Even if your child does not mature to become a professional pianist; the finest instruction early on will provide years of enjoyment for your child.

Find a teacher with a degree in music and specifically a degree as a pianist, and one that is a member of the local teacher's organization. Find a teacher who spends time developing professionally.

 Your teacher should have a good success rate with other students, and may have some student accomplishments to show for this.

Find a beginning teacher who will make learning to play the piano fun and easy for your child, as this is the key to success.

Find a teacher who will instill solid beginning habits in your children through sequential learning steps, and one that is not in a hurry to advance your child prematurely. The young student should live in the beginning stages for a while to develop a thorough foundation in basic skills.

Find a teacher who is enthusiastic, patient, and runs a professional business, whether that be an in home studio or a commercial set up .

Be patient yourself, as it may take the first year for you to see the results and understand the methodology of a fine teacher.  A few lessons to try things won't show you the wealth of knowledge your child will acquire over time through regular lessons.

 Whatever you do, don't settle just for convenience or lower price.

Happy Teacher Hunting!
rowsellpiano.ca

rowsellstudio@bellaliant.net

Piano Lessons Kanata

                                               Listen To  Sample Music:


Listen to performances from myself and students of rowsellpiano by clicking the links below.


"Sally Rowsell has a way of unlocking talent and inspiring dedication: the two keys to creating a truly incredible pianist." Shruti Raheja


Feel like joining my studio? We strive for the best, in a friendly, no pressure manner. The love of music and the joy of accomplishment is motivation to succeed!

https://soundcloud.com/rowsellpiano-rowsell/mendelssohn-sally-1

https://soundcloud.com/rowsellpiano-rowsell/student-performance-s-

https://soundcloud.com/rowsellpiano-rowsell/liszt-student-1




Email today!
 rowsellstudio@bellaliant.net
rowsellpiano.ca