How Parents Can Help Teach Piano Over Summer

Keyboard geography - yes, that's what I mean to say.  How we find our way around the piano based on how it looks - its geography!  Most piano method books begin by showing young children the difference between a group of 2 black keys and a group of 3 black keys.  Look at this picture:

Do you see a group of 2 black keys on the left, and then another group of 3 black keys on the right?  You probably do, but your 5 year old probably does not, at first.  He or she may see a bunch of black keys (like 5) and many white keys, but they may have a hard time telling the difference between a 2-black key group and a 3-black key group.  These are landmarks on the piano - and they will most likely be a starting place for many beginners' first pieces.  We find middle C using the 2-black key group, and we find F (and B) using the 3-black key group.  

Susan Fonger with preschool piano students

During your leisure times on the weekend, or over a vacation, you can teach your 3 or 4 year old the difference between a group of 2 items, and a group of 3 items.  You can use lincoln logs, dominos, chopsticks, pencils, pens, spoons, or just about any item that is sort of rectangular.  I am sure your creativity will find a way to turn this into a grouping game or a fun activity with a scorecard.   The possibilities are endless.

Hint:  the easiest fingers for young ones to use due to their developing motor skills are:  fingers 2, 3, and 4.

The thumb is the most difficult since you usually need to turn it on its side to use it correctly on the keyboard or on the piano.

www.singingsusan.com

Raise your left hand!

I am surprised at how few parents teach the concepts of left hand versus right hand. As soon as a child begins to speak, parents please begin showing your child this all important concept. Your creativity can help your child grasp this at a very young age.

The obvious way to teach this concept is the following: hold up your left hand, then create an "L" with your thumb and pointer finger. Have your child do the same. They will be looking at the topside or outside of their hand, not the inside of the palm. Once they start sounding out words, and they can recognize a phonetic "L" sound, this should help them. My guess is that you can find a lot of other ways to teach this important concept. On the piano, our left hand plays low sounds - another "L" connection. When you talk about left versus right, use the word "correct" for affirmation, not the word "right." I imagine the reason for this is obvious! This concept is so important to success at the piano. Please post your own creative ideas so we can all learn from one another! http://palmbeachmusicclasses.com

10 ways to bring up an unsuccessful child

This is an amazing article from www.familylife.com

If I offend anyone with this, I apologize in advance. I myself am guilty of some of these 10 when I raised my son, Curtis. Thank goodness my errors were not lasting! He's O.K. in fact, he's doing very well! I'm grateful for the grace of others.

Here is the article:

http://www.familylife.com/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dnJHKLNnFoG&b=3575621&ct=10878353¬oc=1

Curt Fonger is Moving On

Curt Fonger, TV news anchor is moving on, embracing new challenges and opportunities.

Read more here:  http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/aug/09/veteran-channel-12-news-anchor-curt-fonger-leaving/

And visit his website:  http://curtfonger.com

Vocal Development Leads to Decoding Symbols

All children can learn to sing. The voice is our most important musical instrument, and the children bring it with them to every music class. The use of the child's own voice and body is the point of departure for his or her musical involvement and development. Vocal imitation of all kinds of sounds and the accompaniment of movement with vocal sounds lead to an exploration of the vast range of possibilities of the human voice. Combining vocal exploration with movement is the path to understanding basic concepts of sound and graphic notation.

Beyond Organic with Jordan Rubin is my way to better health

I'm a member of Beyond Organic so I can have organic food delivered right to my door. If you know Jordan Rubin, and like his vitamins and supplements, you may be interested in his new passion, Beyond Organic. I loved his bestseller The Maker's Diet. Now he has 2500 head of cattle on 8,000 acres in southern Missouri, and spring water in Blue Ridge, Georgia. My friends are joining me now in this new organization for direct distribution of grass fed beef, raw cheese, organic chocolate, probiotics water, and much more. The first products will be available in July.
To find out more, register with me online for free...just click on this link:

http://www.beyondorganicinsider.com/becomeaninsider.aspx?enroller=1904

From Susan, Independent Mission Marketer

Composition and Improvisation

When children become fluent in the language of music, such as echoing tonal and rhythm patterns, they enjoy creating their own music, e.g. composing. Using our notation games and cards, they will compose both melodic and rhythmic pieces. Their creations, or compositions, will be performed in my class - sometimes as a solo, and sometimes as individual sections in a class rondo. The practice CD is a big help in this regard, and so is the habit of echoing the patterns after the teacher says or sings them. These patterns also become the building blocks for improvisation. Usually, improvisation occurs at first in the Singing Circle, and then later at the keyboard. (thank you, Musikgarten/Music Matters)