BRAHMS PIANO SHEET MUSIC

Okay, students, here is a rare chance for a free music score.

You can download here for free the newly discovered piece written by Johannes Brahms 159 years ago.


http://www.pianostreet.com/blog/files/brahms_albumblatt_a_minor_1853_psu.pdf



You can also listen to fabulous concert pianist Andras Schiff play it here, and learn more about the pieces' discovery.

http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/intune/2012/01/27/brand-new-brahms/

Enjoy!

JANUARY 2012 PRACTICE RESULTS

                            rowsellpiano Practice Results for January are out.................

Most Improved Student:                         Sophia Drover  

Student of The Month:                         Miriam Stevenson

Most Practice Minutes:                           Joshua Veber

ONLINE EAR TRAINING

By request, an internet search came up with the 3 links below, which promise to help students master ear training. Some offer free exercises, while other sites require payment and download of software.

I have not personally tried any of the sites, but all seem to offer practical ear training help.

http://www.good-ear.com/servlet/EarTrainer?chap=6

http://www.earmaster.com/eartraining/exercises.htm

http://eartrainingpro.com/music-teacher-features

http://eartrainingpro.com/

How ya' like me now?

                             How ya' like me now? Thank you Doggie Stylz!

CHILD TAX CREDIT

http://rcmusic.ca/connecting/rcm-blog/are-you-eligible-childrens-arts-tax-credit

This link will provide more information about your ability to deduct piano lessons from your taxes.

Theory SOS!

http://musictheorytutor.weebly.com/help-i-need-a-tutor.html

This link will take you to free online music theory tutors.

Enjoy!

SELF EVALUATION

Yet another great piece of advice from The Musician's Way.....click the link below to read the complete article.

http://musiciansway.com/blog/2010/05/self-evaluation-the-key-to-artful-practice/

“The single most important goal for performing artists
is to see how they are doing.”

–Itzhak Perlman, violinist (The Musician’s Way, p. 202)

Suppose that you’re practicing a new piece. How do you know that one portion is learned securely enough for you to tackle another?

Later on, how do you determine that the music is concert-ready?

Then, following a performance, what enables you to pinpoint the aspects of your execution that need polishing?

The answer, of course, is accurate self-evaluation.

We musicians display our knack for self-assessment with every phrase that we play or sing. Our performances inescapably reveal whether we truly hear ourselves and perceive the impact of our delivery.

From " don't shoot the pianist"

http://euge.ca/2011/12/30/temptation/

Sight reading

For my MANY students in the throes of improving their reading skills, this link is for you!

http://franspianostudio.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/guest-post-avoiding-sightreading-derailments-at-the-piano/#comment-18

GETTING READY FOR PERFORMANCE

                                      Some tips to help you get festival ready:

-memorize now! Have your piece securely memorized at the very least 2 weeks before the big day.

-practice your performance-6 times-6 times-6 times-6 times-6 times-6 times

-tape yourself. At lessons, in practice, in performance.

-are there any weak areas that need consideration?

-dynamic check: is there enough contrast? are crescendos evident and gradual, (for example)?

-tempo check: are you steady? should there be rubato? is the tempo appropriate? can you manage your tempo comfortably?

-check all the markings in the score-have you included all?

-is your performance convincing? what are you trying to communicate with the music?

-how's the balance? are there voices that need individuality?

-have you identified all the high and low points within your piece?

-have you identified all the beginnings and endings within your piece? (phrases, sections....)

-do you understand the style and necessary inclusions?

-can you do more, say more?

-and finally, on the big day, have a ball, go for it, with your whole heart and soul. This is your moment!

Compliments, rowsellpiano