Christmas Collections
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Charlie Brown Christmas By Vince Guaraldi. Songbook for solo piano. 40 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.313176) SMP Level 6 (Late Intermediate) See more info… |
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The Complete Christmas Music Collection Songbook for voice, piano and guitar (chords only). 264 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing. (AP.F3350SMD) SMP Level 5 (Intermediate) See more info… |
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The Best Christmas Songs Ever – Easy Piano (4th Edition) Songbook for voice and easy piano. Series: Hal Leonard Easy Adult Piano. 192 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.364130) SMP Level 4 (Intermediate) See more info… |
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The Definitive Christmas Collection – 3rd Edition Songbook for voice, piano and guitar (chords only). 352 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.311602) SMP Level 5 (Intermediate) See more info… |
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A Charlie Brown Christmas – Easy Piano By Vince Guaraldi. Songbook for easy solo piano. From the television special “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. 48 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.316067) SMP Level 4 (Intermediate) See more info… |
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Christmas For All Time, Book 1 Arranged by Nancy Faber, Randall Faber. For Piano. Adult Piano Adventures. Christmas. Level: Adult. Book. Published by The FJH Music Company Inc. (FF1370) See more info… |
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Christmas For All Time, Book 2 Arranged by Nancy Faber, Randall Faber. For Piano. Adult Piano Adventures. Christmas. Level: Adult. Book. Published by The FJH Music Company Inc. (FF1371) See more info… |
Christmas Books by Bastien
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Popular Christmas Songs, Primer Level By James Bastien. For piano. (Bastien Supplementary Books). Bastien Piano. Christmas. Christmas. Music Book. Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company. (WP220) Level: Primer. See more info… |
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Popular Christmas Songs, Level 1 By James Bastien. For piano. (Bastien Supplementary Books). Bastien Piano. Christmas. Christmas. Music Book. Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company. (WP221) Level: Level 1. See more info… |
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Popular Christmas Songs, Level 2 By James Bastien. For piano. (Bastien Supplementary Books). Bastien Piano. Christmas. Christmas. Music Book. Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company. (WP222) Level: Level 2. See more info… |
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Popular Christmas Songs, Level 3 By James Bastien. For piano. (Bastien Supplementary Books). Bastien Piano. Christmas. Christmas. Music Book. Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company. (WP223) Level: Level 3. See more info… |
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Popular Christmas Songs, Level 4 By James Bastien. For piano. (Bastien Supplementary Books). Bastien Piano. Christmas. Christmas. Music Book. Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company. (WP224) Level: Level 4. See more info… |
Christmas Books By Faber
In response to the difficulty ordering books in town, I’ve provided some of the most popular Christmas books here.
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PreTime Piano Christmas Arranged by Nancy Faber, Randall Faber. For Piano. PreTime! to BigTime! Piano Supplementary Library. Christmas. Book. Published by The FJH Music Company, Inc. (FF1015) Level: Primer. See more info… |
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PlayTime Piano Christmas Arranged by Nancy Faber, Randall Faber. For Piano. PreTime! to BigTime! Piano Supplementary Library. Christmas. Book. Published by The FJH Music Company, Inc. (FF1002) Level: Grade 1. See more info… |
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ShowTime Piano Christmas Arranged by Nancy Faber, Randall Faber. For Piano. PreTime! to BigTime! Piano Supplementary Library. Includes traditional carols as well as seasonal favorites. Christmas. Book. Published by The FJH Music Company, Inc. (FF1037) Level: Grade 2A. See more info… |
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ChordTime Piano Christmas Arranged by Nancy Faber, Randall Faber. For Piano. PreTime! to BigTime! Piano Supplementary Library. Christmas. Book. Published by The FJH Music Company, Inc. (FF1005) Level: Grade 2B. See more info… |
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FunTime Piano Christmas Arranged by Nancy Faber, Randall Faber. For Piano. PreTime! to BigTime! Piano Supplementary Library. Christmas favorites arranged for the Level 3A – 3B student, including both traditional and popular songs which students find especially appealing. Christmas. Book. Published by Christmas favorites arranged for the Level 3A-3B student. (FF1006) Level: Grade 3A-3B. See more info… |
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BigTime Piano Christmas Arranged by Nancy Faber, Randall Faber. For Piano. PreTime! to BigTime! Piano Supplementary Library. Christmas. Book. Published by The FJH Music Company, Inc. (FF1016) Level: Grade 4. See more info… |
Memorizing Music
With recitals coming up, it’s time to start memorizing music. Many children often end up memorizing just by repetition. This means your child is consistently at the piano 5 days a week. Playing games with your child will also help.
Memorization Games:
Cover Up #1 – Take a 3×5 card and cover up a small portion of the music. He’ll be able to read most of the music and is “forced” to have only a small part memorized.
Cover Up #2 – Take a 3×5 card and cover up the section of music being played. Keep sliding the card over actual notes your child’s reading. This will force her to not only read ahead, but improve memory.
Floating Music – Hold the music away from the piano. If possible, point along to the music while your child’s playing. If she needs to look, she can, but the goal is to look at the music as little as possible.
Let’s Make A Deal – For every one time your child plays with the music, you get one time to close the book. This is great for playing 4-8 measures at a time and really solidifying his memorization.
Brian Tracy and Goals
Brian Tracy says this about goals:
“Success is goals, and all else is commentary. All successful people are intensely goal oriented. They know that they want and they are focused single mindedly on achieving it, every single day. Your ability to set goals is the master skill of success.” [excerpt from Goals, by Brian Tracy]
Use learning the piano as a tool to teach your child how to be goal oriented! This will help your child be successful in life. Every time your child practices, take a few seconds to think about a goal together. Your participation will further increase your child’s desire to learn this master skill.
Keep Piano Fun
Sing! Since we’re learning how to accompany others, you can help! Please sing along with several of the songs. Keeping a steady beat and not going back to fix mistakes will be the two hardest things for your child. By singing along, you’ll allow him/her more practice accompanying and s/he will enjoy the one-on-one time.
Flashcard Games Pull out the notes your child’s learned and time how long it takes to say them. Include it as part of the practice every day, writing the times down on a chart. You and your child can decide prizes together.
Creating Goals
To reinforce the importance of setting and meeting goals, ask your child to name at least one goal s/he set and accomplished every day of practice.
By asking for a goal each day, regardless of whether or not one was made, you will set the standard in your child that goals are important in life. Your child will learn to create goals in everything s/he does.
The power in this is that your child will base his/her self worth on his/her own accomplishments rather than the opinion of others.
Consistency is the key to building the successful habit of meeting goals.
Proper hand position
Fingers should be curved and strong without “breaking” at the joints. The wrist should be level with the forearm. Back is straight, shoulders relaxed. Having great form will help your child play better. Praising your child for great posture and form.
Setting Goals
Your child will learn more efficiently and effectively if s/he makes a goal every practice session.
The goal should be small enough to be accomplished in one sitting!
Examples of goals:New Piece: “I will clap and count the first 4 measures correctly, both hands.”“I will learn measures 9-16 with correct counting and notes, right hand.”
Familiar Piece: “I will correctly play with the metronome starting at 72 and finishing at 88.”“I will add all the dynamics in the piece.”
The key is to have complete awareness of the music that’s being created. (And then to apply that awareness and exactness to all aspects of life!)
August 2007 Piano Newsletter
Back In the Swing of Things
Now that school is back in session and routines seem to be falling into place, consider adding the following strategies to help your child grow:
1. Establish and maintain a regular practice routine for your child. A daily written schedule that you and your child create together has shown to be most effective.
2. Younger children will need more supervision to be certain instructions are understood and followed.
3. Take time during the week to have your child perform for you, just for fun.
4. Have your child teach you! Concepts such as proper hand position, posture, rhythms, or the location of notes are best reinforced by teaching.
Policy & Student Info
Please read over the policy and sign the agreement. There are two copies, one for your records and one for the studio. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Please have the policy signed and the student information sheet filled out and returned by the end of August.
PO BOX 1342 Brentwood, CA
94513
2007 Calendar
Lessons will continue on a weekly basis as scheduled, with the exception of the following dates:
September 4 & 5 Group Lessons
October 1-12 Studio Closed
December 17 & 18 Group Lessons
December 24 – January 4 Studio Closed
Performances
December 2 (tentative) Winter Recital Our formal winter recital, held at the
Brentwood United
Methodist
Church December 19 or 20, TBAStudents have the opportunity to share their holiday music with the Eskaton Lodge residents. Group Lessons The schedule for the group lessons is on the back. Regular lessons will not be held during that week.
