July 5th, 2009 Brian
This week I will play B (3rd line) D (4th line) F (5th line), then play them one at a time asking the student to write them down as a crotchet on the treble staff. I will write about the next step next week.
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June 19th, 2009 Brian
In my post of 31 May 2009 I mentioned about clapping rhythms, and that no matter what duration the note has, each clap is short in sound. I did ask my students to sing ‘la’ while clapping each note ensuring that the ‘la’ sounded for the correct duration of the value of the note. This is the first time I have tried this with students and it worked with no trouble at all. I will keep using this strategy for teaching rhythm.
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June 19th, 2009 Brian
In my last post on Professional Development Studies I mentioned about a text book containing information about music literacy. I included in my post about playing three notes E on the first line of the treble staff, B on the third or middle line of the treble staff, and F on the 5th or top line of the treble staff. After the student has heard these notes played by me, I would play them one at a time and get the student to write them down as a crotchet on the treble staff. This week I will play E (1st line) G (2nd line) B (3rd line), then play them one at a time asking the student to write them down as a crotchet on the treble staff. I will write about the next step next week.
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May 31st, 2009 Brian
In January 2009 I commenced ‘Master of Music Practitioner ‘ post graduate studies at the University of Western Australia. At present I am doing human musical development studies. These take you back thousands of years to the discovery of a bone which could have been made into a musical instrument. The study also includes musical development of a fetus in the last few months of pregnancy; also musical development after birth right into adulthood. The question of music being genetically inherited is difficult to prove to date; however it is still recognized.
In one of my text books there is a chapter on music literacy, and it has given me an idea I can try, because I find that many students have difficulty reading music notation. It is getting the beginner student to learn aurally the sound of notes before reading them. I may commence by playing E on the 1st line of the treble staff, B on the middle line of the treble staff and F on the top line of the treble staff. After the student has heard these notes I will then play them one at a time and get the student to write them down as a crotchet on the treble staff. I will write about the next step next week.
Also re clapping rhythms. The text book states that no matter what duration the note has, each clap is short in sound. This had me thinking also, and I will see if I can get the student to sing ‘La’ as they clap each note and make certain the student holds on to the ‘La’ sound for the correct duration. I will let you know how I get on here.
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April 28th, 2009 Brian
In 1960 I was acting Postmaster at Gwalia in the Goldfields of Western Australia. Two friends and myself joined the Concert Hall Record Club. The first LP record we received was Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony. I remember being moved by the sound of the orchestra in that first movement. I played the record many times and after many months I wore it out. I ordered the same record again and wore that record out also. I still have both records in my house.
I instruct piano/keyboard classes at LVS Online
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March 30th, 2009 Brian
I do have much favourite classical music. I like much of Chopin’s piano music, including his Nocturnes and some of the larger works of the Ballades and Scherzi. The first classical music LP recording I had was Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony which became one of my favourites. Another record I often listened to was the Bruch violin concerto in G minor. The above list is just the tip of the iceburg.
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December 29th, 2008 Brian
Features of these Online Piano/Keyboard classes include:-
(a) Starting on the first line of the treble staff i.e. first line E, before going to the middle C position.
(b) Introduction to the keyboard where the three longest fingers are over the three black keys, rather than being more curled up over the five white keys.
(b) Learning the sharp sign early as we are starting off in the key of E major, a scale which has sharps.
(c) A multi key approach. By the time you have completed both courses you will have learnt the twelve major and a majority of the minor keys.
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December 29th, 2008 Brian
These are both six week online courses where you will learn to read and play music. You will need a piano or keyboard to practice on for up to two hours weekly. You will also need music manuscript paper for theory work. A working knowledge of your computer is essential. The course syllabus can be viewed at the links below.
Intro Piano/Keyboard Class:
This class is for beginners who would like to learn to play the piano or keyboard. You will learn to read music and play some notation which may be heard and played along with short sound files.
If one of the items on your “To Do” list was to eventually learn
to read
music, why not try a stess-free instructor led online course? With
this online course
you’ll be astonished at the level of creativity you possess
just waiting to be released!
Advanced Piano/Keyboard Class:
This class is for students who have already started to learn to play the piano or keyboard. Each week will include a number of short pieces to learn. These pieces may be heard on sound files, which occasionally include a duet or piano accompaniment.
Cost: $30 New Students
$24 Returning Students
Courses are six weeks long
September registration opens July 27, 2009
Advanced Piano/Keyboard class:
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September 30th, 2008 Brian
Tell us who you are and which class(es) you are enrolled in. Let us know how LVS classes has affected your life in your professional field and/or in your personal life. We enjoy hearing of your experiences. Thanks for sharing with LVS staff, fellow LVS students and our blog visitors!
If you’d like to view other students experiences at LVS Online Classes, visit the main LVS Blog and click the Blogroll links.
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May 25th, 2008 Brian
Like any skill, it takes time and patience to learn the keyboard or piano. Posture, correct finger actions and using the correct fingers to play, are necessary. Also, learning to look at the book and not your hands are important, and learning to read the music correctly all go hand in hand to make steady progress.
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