What is Recreational Music Making (RMM) and how can I implement this philosophy into my studio today?  The following list was borrowed from drumcirclemusic - RMM is:

• music for personal satisfaction
• not performance-oriented
• not competitive or comparative
• geared toward amateur musicians
• a way of creating positive social experiences

A teacher approached me yesterday and described a student who will be a senior in high school this fall.  This student plays at an early intermediate level.  Not interested in classical music. Loves to play for her personal satisfaction, doesn't want to play in public, doesn't want to compete or compare herself to other students, loves coming to lessons and interact with her teacher, she is an amateur musician (keep in mind the root word of amateur is amo from the Latin to love - an amateur musician is one who loves playing music) - she also is the perfect example of the typical RMM student. 
This teacher, who I respect greatly, reminded me of who much I've personally changed over the past decade.  She felt as if she would be doing this student a great disservice if she didn't push her to play more difficult music that the student simply wasn't interested in. I've definitely been there and done that.  This young lady already LOVES music!  This teacher is already a SUCCESS!  Just find beautiful music that inspires this student and give her permission to PLAY.  I, of course, sent here home with Way Cool Keyboarding II and a list of tunes from my website: Argentina Sky, Snow Train, Abandoned Heart, Sylvia's Song, Charmed, and In the Distance; pieces that will be easily accessible and still satisfying. Also, suggested she watch the Tutorials (If I Die Young - is on the home page of the site).  I'm kind of boring, but the content is good and it shows students and teachers how to quickly play popular tunes. 

It is my opinion that there are countless hundreds maybe thousands of people who love music and would love playing music if we as teachers/facilitators gave them permission to play - not our way - but their way - playing music they love. 

Let's all embrace the RMM philosophy and start Making Music simply for the love of Making Music!

Happy Teaching!

I am an independent traditional piano teacher.  How can I use the pieces in WillBailyPianoTunes.com to enhance the learning experience of my students?
1) Sightreading. Select a tune that is maybe a couple of levels below where your student is currently working.  Download the 3 different speeds of mp3 files.  Discuss the principles of sightreading.  Start with the slowest recording and progress to the 'Fast' version.
2) Rehabilitation.  We've all had those students who begin to dwindle and lose their motivation.  Have your student listen and pick a couple of tunes from the library.  Print the PDFs - download the tunes to your student's mp3 playing device and see what happens. 
3) Improv. Look at the Tutorial page.  Playing off the page is generally a bit out of our comfort zone. Watch the tutorials with your students.  Download the sound file that is easiest for you to work with.  Play along.  Maybe start out with your students playing the LH and teacher improvising RH.  Then, switch.
4) Pop Tunes. Playing pop tunes with chords is a quick and more authentic way to teach your students to play in a band.  It also avoids teaching sheet music rhythms that are difficult and don't really sound like the original tunes. Follow the link to iTunes. Download the tune.  Again, watch the tutorial with your student.  Try figuring it out together.  There is great joy in discovery!  Let your students find that joy as they discover and 'teach' you!  This kind of learning together can really build a strong relationship between you and your students.
5) More music. You can always use these pieces and tutorials as supplemental and motivational!  These tunes and activities will compliment the good work you're already doing in your studio.

Happy Teaching!

Snow Train from 'Tunes' page.  I've used this piece with kids (7-9), pre-teens, teens and adults.  Start with the LH alone.  Octave fifth pattern is one of the most commonly used accompaniment patterns in piano music.  This pattern is extremely useful in improvisation. Demonstrate the LH pointing out the 3 white keys between finger 5 and finger 2, and 2 white keys between finger 2 and finger 1.  Note that finger 5 and finger 1 are playing the same note an octave apart.  Demonstrate a slight pivot motion on finger 2 - this will depend on hand size. Walk around the room and assist as needed while the class plays this pattern out loud for a few minutes.  LH alone - play with the orchestra a couple of times for fun.

Teach the RH - count the 3 eighth note rests "1 2 3" students begin on 4 (or the 'and' of 2).  In ms. 4-7, 13-16 and 21 - end -  where the sixths appear - play only the bottom note of the sixths this first time.  Teacher plays the LH while students play the RH (staying in C position throughout).  Allow a few minutes of headphone time for students to discover how this piece feels when both hands play.
The next week - introduce up/down pedal with the LH alone.  Toe comes up with pinky and down with 2. 
After you've played this piece for a couple of weeks, introduce the RH sixths -  4 white keys between thumb and pinky.  Demonstrate a relaxed wrist, a high thumb and a light tapping motion for the sixths. After a little headphone time, try RH alone with orchestra.
Putting it all together.  After several weeks of playing this piece different ways, have your class try playing the piece as written with pedal - very slowly.  Then, discuss shaping lines - LH pinky gentle - taking time at ends of phrases - ritard at the end - etc. How does this piece make you feel?  How can you communicate that feeling by playing this piece a certain way?
Hope these ideas help!  Happy Teaching!  

How to use the pieces on the Home page of WillBailyPianoTunes.com.  
Forbidden City (solo/duet) can be used in several different ways.  Kids who have played Way Cool Keyboarding 4 kids book 1, Teens who are in the middle of Way Cool Keyboarding book 1 and adults who are in Reflective Moments book 2 have encountered all the skills and concepts needed to play Forbidden City. I have used this piece in my adult classes for warm-up and cool down. Good for sight-reading practice and confidence building.  This piece is also fun for ensemble play.  Create a symphony orchestra with strings, horns, woodwinds, etc. Or, create a creepy under-the-sea orchestration with choir/pad sounds.
Argentina Sky works great at the end of Reflective Moments book 3 and toward the end of Way Cool Keyboarding book 1.  The only new concept is the the walk-up in the LH at ms. 6, 12 etc. See the Tutorial on the Tutorial page for an idea of how to teach this. This walk-up pattern is reinforced in Way Cool Keyboarding book 2 in the piece Elizabeth Town.  Also, on the Tutorial page is a swing version of Argentina Sky with an mp3 file and a MIDI file.
Mon Cheri introduces the LH 7th pattern. This piece is a 'stretching' piece. Introduce the LH alone. Start with LH pinky finding the bass notes.  Play LH pinky with orchestra.  Then, discover how the LH pattern feels with 3 keys between 5 and 2 and 1 key between 2 and 1.  After a few minutes with headphones, play LH only with the class very slowly.  Then repeat and teacher plays RH while class plays LH.  Notice the RH is an octave higher throughout and stays in C position. Next week try RH only.  The following week team play - half the class plays LH, half the class plays RH - then switch. Since this is a 'stretching' piece take time and get each hand happy.
Times Square is a 'challenge' piece. Geared more for ambitious teen students than for adult students. There are always those teen students who want something more. Although this requires more technical skill, the patterns are clear and accessible.

On the Tunes page, please find a downloadable cover for your notebooks. You don't have to become a member of the site to download.  ENJOY!

"Summer Nights" - from 'Tunes' page

How to introduce "Summer Nights" from 'Tunes' page of WillBailyPianoTunes.com - Start class with "Building Bridges" Duet from Reflective Moments Book 3.  Review dropping motion in Right Hand ms. 4 and ms. 8 etc. Also, discuss Left Hand position and name notes as you play Left Hand Alone.  Play several times Hands Together using CD 18 Orchestration. 

Summer Nights - Start with Left Hand demonstrating the chromatic motion in the Left Hand - Discuss fingering that's marked allowing students to discover a different fingering that may be more convenient for their hand. For example:  LH thumb starting on bass C, 2 on B, 2 on Bb, 3 on A, 3 on Ab, 4 on G etc. I've seen students use this fingering successfully.  Play through - students playing LH teacher playing RH. 

Summer Nights - RH.  I've had success teaching the RH by subdividing and counting to 8.  Counting in: "5 6 7 8 rest"  Most importantly, let students hear and then respond to the rhythm.  After several times without orchestration, use slow version of orchestra and try RH alone.

Follow up - Give students a few minutes with headphones to discover Summer Nights Hands Alone.  You'll find that some of your students will start playing Hands Together and will discover that this is one of those pieces that's actually easier with both hands.

Have Fun!

Welcome to Will's Blog

A shout out to RMM teachers who are teaching Musical Moments, Way Cool Keyboarding and Way Cool Keyboarding 4 Kids.  If you have questions about how the tunes in WillBailyPianoTunes.com and the Tutorials fit into your classroom curriculum, feel  free to ask me questions.  In the meantime, check out the free stuff on the home page.  If you'd like to contact me personally, go to the contact page.  Welcome.