Assignment 1

Article posted December 13, 2007 at 07:29 PM GMT0 • Reads 125

Go to your blog and tell me one thing that you need help with on piano. Go view other sites and see who is having the same problems. Offer help!

Does practice really make perfect ?

Article posted April 9, 2008 at 07:00 AM GMT0 • Reads 32

Many of you are reading this article because you are a musician who wants to learn how to be a better sight reader or performer and you have often heard the saying "practice makes perfect". Well I've been thinking about this for a while and I would like to offer some practictal tips you can use to achieve many if not all of your musical goals.

I notice that musicians are practicing but are generally unhappy with their results. As a musician and educator, I know the scenario too well. I have done recitals and performances where I waited until the last minute to prepare. You can probably guess that the performance did not go as smoothly as it could have.

This brings me to Tip # 1:Once you have a goal in mind, give yourself plenty of time to achieve it. If you are learning a new piece of music give yourself a deadline and get to work!

Earlier I mentioned the "practice makes perfect" cliche'. The saying itself is very popular, but it is not totally accurate. You see, if you practice the wrong thing enough you will remember it. Let's see how to avoid rehearsing bad notes with Tip # 2: Once you pick your piece, Observe the Key, Tempo, and Dynamics while keeping the form in mind.

Many musicians think the next logical step is to jump in and plow your way through, but this is only the beginning. Play the first bar slowly, and if you can play it pefectly -great... proceed. If you mess up, repeat the measure at a much slower tempo until you can play it ten times in a row. (Or as many times as it takes, then slowly increase the tempo).

It will be tempting to wait until the last minute and try to play too much too fast, but the attention to details will determine whether your performance will be avereage or excellent.

Don't cheat yourself because afterall, proper and persistent preparation presents perfect performances."



Happy practicing!



Mr. Kelly

Music teacher/ Director,

Afterschool Music Program

Monroe Middle School

The Beat of a Different Drummer

Article posted April 16, 2008 at 06:19 PM GMT0 • Reads 32

Students in my music classes recently participated in a drumset clinic. The presenter was, you guessed it, yours truly. Students were anxious to know if they were going to be able to play the shiny drumset in the middle of the classroom.



I began the lesson by playing a basic groove sprinkled with a few drum fills here and there. Next, we identified the parts of a drumset. I then asked if any of the students present could count to four. I proceeded to inform them that if they could count then they could play drums. It's that simple!



The logic is simple. There are four beats in a measure and you have four limbs: 2 hands + 2 feet. (Let's assign a number to each limb)

I enlisted several participants who reluctantly followed my instructions: See if you can do the same : )

Step 1: Place your right foot on the foot pedal



Step 2: Count 1,2,3,4 continuously with a steady beat. Play the kick drum on beats 1 and 3.



Step 3:With your left hand, strike the snare drum on beats 2 and 4.



Step 4: Play the Hi-hat on beats 1,2,3,& 4



Voila! 4 steps to become the drummer you always wanted to be. This was very fun and who said that it had to be perfect the first time.



For more on practicing your instrument read Does practice really make perfect?



Happy Practicing!



Matt Kelly

Music teacher/Director

Afterschool Music Program

Monroe Middle School

Article posted April 16, 2008 at 06:20 PM GMT0 • Reads 32