Tag: Music Lessons

Rock’n’Roll Playlist

We’ve been talking about the three stations in the Rock’n’Roll space in the lab. Last week was the compositions in NoteFlight and the first week of December we talked about the music history of Rock’n’Roll.

The third station that rounds this all out is the listening station. We compiled a playlist of Rock’n’roll for students to take time out and just listen. Everyone gains benefits listening to music, whether it is stress relief or lowering blood pressure or simply activating both sides of the brain for better studying. This station is set for learning about Rock’n’Roll, though, so buckle up for some great music.

Would you like to listen? Click here. I’m listening to it today. There are some great songs!

Interview with a Student: Arianna

She is a pianist who has participated in many performance opportunities and ensemble classes in her time here. I asked her what some of her favorite memories are from over the years. “Definitely the great teachers I have had…

I recently sat down with Arianna, a student and lab attendant here at MTMS who began lessons in 2011 when she was just 7 years old. She is a pianist who has participated in many performance opportunities and ensemble classes in her time here. I asked her what some of her favorite memories are from over the years. “Definitely the great teachers I have had. They helped me with both the technique and artistry components of piano playing. I also had a lot of fun with my band, Gum!”

I remember Arianna telling me from the time she was 11 years old that she wanted to work here one day. It’s easy to see the love she has for music and learning. I asked her about the impact that this school has had on her. “I have learned a lot about music theory from the computer lab. Learning how chords work helps me understand harmonies when I’m playing in an ensemble. I have also learned over time in my lessons how to really play musically, not just how to play the notes.”

We hired Arianna as one of our computer lab attendants in December 2017. When I asked her about the opportunities MTMS has provided her with, she said that getting hired here was definitely the biggest. But she also told me that she really learned how to express herself here. Through all her recitals and performances over the years, we have watched Arianna grow as a musician. “Music has become a really big part of my life,” she said to me. “I think it really has shaped who I have become as a person.”

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Musically,
Katie Ball, Lab Lead

OMTA and Music Performance

I was privileged to enjoy a luncheon with the Ohio Music Teachers Association yesterday. What a wonderful group of folks! You would think that the power of this organization is in networking with music education colleagues in the area, including others who teach private music lessons, and that’s certainly a benefit to the group. But they also organize a slew of events, including continuing education opportunities for music educators and music performance events for students. Continue reading “OMTA and Music Performance”

Music Therapy

Music does indeed invoke emotional response in the listener, and the response varies by the music. A nice, soothing piano solo composed by George Winston calms and relaxes. A throbbing dance tune by Lady Gaga pumps and energizes. Whatever mood you wish to invoke, there’s a song for that. We’ll call it iSong. ;-) Continue reading “Music Therapy”

The Power of Performance

When I told my piano student on Friday that she had to play in front of other students on Sunday at our monthly repertoire class, she looked at me with eyes the size of dinner plates.

I have a music student who just won’t practice.

Okay, to be fair, I have a lot of music students who refuse practice. But one child taking piano lessons literally never practices at home. Ever. She doesn’t touch that piano until she’s sitting in that lesson room in front of her teacher. However, she miraculously spent last Saturday at home drilling her songs over and over and over. The reason? Continue reading “The Power of Performance”