http://pianoadventures.com/forum/ubbthreads.php Piano Club Feed Piano Club - UBB.threads(tm) http://pianoadventures.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59024#Post59024 Posted by musicat:
Both reference, repertoire, theory, etc.]]> Thu, 17 May 2012 01:47:15 PDT http://pianoadventures.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59022#Post59022 Posted by Arlene Steffen:
I remember that meeting, too! I'll be in San Diego for sure. We should meet up again.]]> Thu, 17 May 2012 00:56:51 PDT http://pianoadventures.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59019#Post59019 Posted by musicat:
If you can find a workshop in your area, you'll get it for free. And a discount on many other useful parts of the library. Here's the link to scheduled teacher info sessions: http://theachievementprogram.org/teachers/teacher-information-sessions]]> Thu, 17 May 2012 00:24:20 PDT http://pianoadventures.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59018#Post59018 Posted by musicat:
Thank you for all the suggestions so far. Now that I've actually met this very analytical and highly delightful middle schooler..... I didn't have anyone scheduled immediately afterward, so we ended up working together for an hour! He does seem to read fairly well and plays with good posture, hand position and phrasing. He is confident with 3 8ves of major scales on the 8ths, but no minors, and shaky on just about all other technique and theory. I think I would place him somewhere between a level 2 and 3 for repertoire, but will start him in level 1 on Snell theory, to fill in the gaps. He wants to play Classical, but wants some other styles--like jazz and ragtime--thrown in there, too. The Celebration Series might be an option, as I think he might really enjoy the companion workbook along with the pieces. I will hold off on that until I get to know him a bit better. But yes, it was clear that any of the PA method books would be rather pointless for him. ETA: I will have to say, though...my first thought when I saw the Thompson books was...people still use those? Of course they do; I see them moving through in our local music store. But there are so many options available now that I guess I'm not quite sure why.]]> Thu, 17 May 2012 00:03:50 PDT http://pianoadventures.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59017#Post59017 Posted by Stacey:
You have all been so helpful on this topic (and every topic! lol). I am going to be seeing my new young student tomorrow and have tried to plan ahead better this time. Of course, having young children of my own, I know how all of my "planning" can be tossed out the window in a moment, but I'm hopeful! :) I'm going to be making finger tapper cards in the morning for her favorite song, and have given much more thought to the overall plan after reviewing all of your replies again. Thank you!]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 23:02:46 PDT http://pianoadventures.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59016#Post59016 Posted by am&a:
So glad to hear that it was a success! Thanks for sharing.]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 20:48:47 PDT http://pianoadventures.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59015#Post59015 Posted by Stacey:
On the topic of the original question, most of my transfer students were already using PA, although some only the lesson book while others were using lesson, theory, and T&A. Two of my transfers who were in Alfred and struggling so I moved them "backwards" into PA and they moved forward quickly and with more understanding. I think my ideal would be to use lesson and T&A, but separate out the theory after the early levels (primer and maybe level 1, depending on age) -- while I like the idea of coordinating the theory with the lesson, the reality is that the time crunch of lessons leaves the theory feeling rushed. I have a 12yo in Accelerated lesson and T&A, along with a Snell theory and she is just thriving with that setup. The visual appeal of PA theory is really nice for younger ones though. As for supplements, I'm pretty happy with all of the Gold Star books. The songs are well-received by the kids, and I like them too. :) I have purchased quite a lot of the Pre-Time / Playtime / ChordTime / etc books and ... my kids don't like a lot of the pieces in them, I have to say. They are a few gems for books -- Pre-Time Jazz is one of them. Almost every song is a favorite! But too often at least half the songs are just "meh" and only 1 or 2 songs are real winners. Maybe it's the age of my students when they hit the levels... IDK. ]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 17:50:08 PDT http://pianoadventures.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59008#Post59008 Posted by musicat:
I think I've used a few songs from MFPA with every level. Some adults seem to love the "Music Alphabet" as much as the young students--more than one adult has asked if the songs were available separately on iTunes! Congrats on gaining the mother as a new student, too!! Sounds like the mom and son will be able to do something together, which could potentially benefit them in so many more ways than just musically!! I have a couple of students who regularly update me on their parents' "progress" in their lesson books. For part of her lesson today, one student taught her parents about quarter notes, half notes and whole notes. It seems she was trying to explain it to them at home, but it wasn't working well. So we did guided practice during her lesson. The whole family seemed to have a blast tapping, clapping, drumming and marching out rhythms. I teasingly suggested we could also jump to the rhythms (nobody but the six-year-old was really up for it, LOL!)]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 01:20:06 PDT http://pianoadventures.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59002#Post59002 Posted by cecilly:
Ooo, good ideas. Thanks. ]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 00:04:22 PDT http://pianoadventures.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59001#Post59001 Posted by alidoremi:
What about.... Robert Schultz's "Jazz and Blues" bk 1 Expressive Etudes series Snell Piano Repertoire (blue books) Some solo sheets: Martian March (J Linn) Merlin's Dream (not sure...it's a HL)]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 23:58:14 PDT