Category: music teachers association of california

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Piano Lesson Excerpts: Practicing the Bach Invention 13 in A minor (Videos)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

This morning, Claudia, 11, practiced the J.S. Bach A minor Invention behind tempo, (in slow motion) to improve her musical/technical understanding of the composition. She worked on "weaving"/shaping the main idea or subject, which is a broken chord figure. The interaction between hands or voices (there are two them) was a particular focus, as it… Continue reading Piano Lesson Excerpts: Practicing the Bach Invention 13 in A minor (Videos)

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Highlights of the MTAC Fall Festival, Oct. 29, 2011 (Princess Rina, 4, wins a best costume prize!) VIDEO

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Five of my students participated in this morning's gala Fall Festival sponsored by the Music Teachers Association of California. The first of many theme recitals took place beginning at 10 a.m. with a colorful Halloween spread of costumes and music. Princess Rina walked the royal Carpet before things got underway. A parade of students followed.… Continue reading Highlights of the MTAC Fall Festival, Oct. 29, 2011 (Princess Rina, 4, wins a best costume prize!) VIDEO

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Claudia’s piano lesson in progress: Preparing the Chopin A minor Waltz no. 19, Op. posthumous and Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” for the MTAC Fall Festival

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I returned to the iMac21 for this videotaping in the company of my nifty Yeti mic. (I'm waiting for Y to speak in Star Wars lingo, or double as a cleaning robot) Everything was definitely effortless this time because I opted NOT to edit. I just let the lesson segment run its course without fussing… Continue reading Claudia’s piano lesson in progress: Preparing the Chopin A minor Waltz no. 19, Op. posthumous and Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” for the MTAC Fall Festival

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Profile of a courageous adult piano student (with a video out-take)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I'm fortunate to be working with five adult students who love the piano and its repertoire. Their enthusiasm is at high volume--keeping the live wire connection between student and teacher bristling with energy. Regardless of busy work schedules, they still manage to connect with the piano often enough to make lessons worthwhile. I met Michael,… Continue reading Profile of a courageous adult piano student (with a video out-take)

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Excerpts from Rina’s 9th piano lesson, using instruction from “Tales of a Musical Journey” by Irina Gorin

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz31cL5MzC8 Lesson 8 suffered the pangs of loss because of a camcorder shut down so today we switched over to my iMac's iMovie. (I'm still learning the video editing program so apologies for synch-related issues at the track's end) Rina reviewed the musical alphabet and tapped individual notes to various prerecorded CD selections. For "Bear"… Continue reading Excerpts from Rina’s 9th piano lesson, using instruction from “Tales of a Musical Journey” by Irina Gorin

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Piano Instruction: Going outside the method book track

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Method books on the commercial market have a certain lure because they attempt to conveniently package a set of step-by-step lesson goals through approximately six books that are divided into Lesson, Performance and Theory. A teacher can also choose Technique and Artistry to add to the mix. The basic program outlined in brochures includes branch-offs… Continue reading Piano Instruction: Going outside the method book track

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Stimulating the imagination: choosing piano repertoire that embraces childhood themes (Video)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I was awakened this morning to an inspired Facebook post that featured a six-year old captivated by a delightful piece that amounted to a "playground" of light-hearted chords with engaging harmonies. The piano teacher, Irina Gorin played snippets of Samuel Maykapar's "In the Garden" that seemed to share character kinship with Kabalevksy's Op. 39, Children's… Continue reading Stimulating the imagination: choosing piano repertoire that embraces childhood themes (Video)

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Rina, age 4, has her THIRD piano lesson using Irina Gorin’s “Tales of a Musical Journey” (Videos in 6 parts)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I enjoyed today's musical adventure with Rina but not all lesson segments are reproduced in completion in order to control length. In instances where my student used her Right Hand, we continued the activity with her Left Hand which is an important component of Irina Gorin's "Musical Journey" through the kingdom of sounds. Every video… Continue reading Rina, age 4, has her THIRD piano lesson using Irina Gorin’s “Tales of a Musical Journey” (Videos in 6 parts)

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Piano Instruction: A Beautiful Mozart Minuet in F Major, K. 5 that enlists the dipping wrist (Videos)

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I stumbled upon this musical gem when I purchased Mozart, 14 of his Easiest Pieces (Alfred, publisher) Not at all deceived by the description "easiest," I read through the collection knowing the challenge of interpreting the master's music with expression and refinement. It should be noted that this Minuet was composed by Mozart at the… Continue reading Piano Instruction: A Beautiful Mozart Minuet in F Major, K. 5 that enlists the dipping wrist (Videos)

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Piano Instruction: Chopin Prelude No. 4 in E minor, Op. 28, Teacher, Shirley Kirsten

arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

http://youtu.be/By2h_rr9JSM http://youtu.be/TIWxLbW3Z38 Chopin composed 24 Preludes in Op. 28 exploring 24 different keys (Major and minor) with each Prelude having its own mood and character. In my step-by-step practicing of the E minor Prelude, I start with the Left Hand with its chordal mosaic, and listen attentively for descending chromatic movement between chords. In the… Continue reading Piano Instruction: Chopin Prelude No. 4 in E minor, Op. 28, Teacher, Shirley Kirsten