Thursday, December 19, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Recreational Music Making (RMM) allows students to play music they choose!
It's been an interesting week . . . First of all, I met 3 wonderful kids from Boston. They were here in town visiting their dad whose a physician here. He'd asked me to give them a few lessons during their visit. I'd hesitantly agreed. After listening to the 15 year old play. I asked how long he'd had lessons - 5 years. He was playing out of Faber Book 4. I could tell his heart wasn't in it at all. So I asked him what music he enjoyed and what music he'd like to play. He looked at me very seriously and said, "Whatever music my teacher wants me to play. My teacher in Boston is very busy and if we don't complete our assignments and play the music she assigns she'll drop us from her studio." He'd never even considered what music he'd like to play since this process was all about his teacher's wishes. Then, later in the week I received a phone call from a mother who'd seen the signs on the building offering FUN Piano Classes! She stated that she wanted her daughter to take lessons from me but, get this, she didn't want the lessons to be fun and she didn't want her 13-year-old daughter to have any say in what she played. She needed me to be very strict so that her daughter would be afraid and would practice diligently. At first I asked, if I was being pranked (I have a reputation for being a random abstract 'hippie' teacher). She assured me she was serious. I then, asked what consequence I should punish her daughter with if she didn't comply with my 'strict' wishes. She answered - threaten to drop her from your studio. After a 15 minute long conversation, where I shared my philosophy of loving music as a motivation to play more music, she agreed to meet with her daughter and I for a heart-to-heart conversation. No expectations . . . just a sit-down conversation. Okay, just one more . . . A new private student started this week. I could tell this 11-year-old boy was suspicious of this whole idea. I asked him what kind of music he liked. "Rap". Any song in particular? "The Fighter". I asked if he'd like to learn that tune. "Sure!" We went to the computer - $1.29 for the mp3 file - brought it back to the Clavinova 605. We proceeded to learn a pattern by ear from the file. His face glowed. He said, "It's kinda hard to get my fingers to move." I took out "Way Cool Keyboarding" and said, "this book has a bunch of fun exercises to get your fingers strong so you can play the music you love." My philosophy of sharing music has been challenged this week . . . and I find myself embracing the ideals of flexibility, dynamic environment, joy, generosity for diverse aesthetic tastes, love for music and FUN! My goal will always be to facilitate dynamic musical experiences!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Welcome to Now Playing Piano - A Recreational Music Making Center for pianists of all ages
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Wow!
Okay . . . so tonight as my 5:30 RMM adult class was gathering, one of the members was talking about how he'd heard this tune on the radio. He could figure out the melody in his head, but couldn't figure out how the rest of the piece would be played - way too much going on in the left hand . . . I quickly googled the tune . . . (4 hands!) . . . and as several of the class members gathered around the computer . . . well, we all laughed and clapped and celebrated such magical music and a wonderful performance. The way Lang Lang and this sweet boy communicate with those glances . . . well, . . . at the end of this performance all of my RMM students were applauding and laughing and fully enjoying this musical experience as if we were at a Superbowl game. Music has the power to unite humanity on a level, no athletic sport or academic pursuit, could ever muster. (That last sentence, by the way, was original.) Absolutely, magical performance!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Exciting Times!!!
We have been very busy here getting ready to expand our RMM studios. We've recently purchased a building and will begin renovation soon. We'll have 2 large RMM studios with 8 student keyboards and a teacher's piano in each room. We're excited to have a center where we can help people of all ages achieve their dream of playing the piano. (I'll post pictures of the renovation process.)
The Fab Five was Fabulous!
Last Monday afternoon, the Fab Five performed at a Mother's day tea at a local care center. They played "Argentina Sky" both versions (first straight and then in a swing tempo), "Midnight Boogie", "Tennessee Waltz", "The Weaver's Poem", "The Rose" and ended with "Ye Olde Saloon". The residents clapped and sang and moved their hands from side to side. As I was watching, I noticed several folks with tears in their eyes during "Tennessee Waltz". During "Midnight Boogie" folks were playing the rhythms in the air. During the swing version of "Argentina Sky" folks held their arms like they were dancing with a loved one. The nursing staff filled the doorways and eventually filled the room. Smiles and tears. The residents seemed to be transported into another world. Their faces truly "lit up". The positive energy in the room was beautiful! With the last glissando at the end of "Ye Olde Saloon" the concert came to an end. Music has the power to change lives. The folks in the care center were so appreciative and grateful . . . asking if we could come back 'tomorrow'. The Fab Five did so much more than perform - they provided love and joy and hope through their music . . . What a wonderful afternoon for all!
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Get ready for the "Fab Five"!
Let me introduce you to five of my favorite people in the whole world. From left to right: Leah, Al, Toby, Lorraine and Margy. They are RMM piano participants (all 80+ years old) and they've come together, as a group, to perform for assisted living folks. By definition, there is no performance requirement in RMM. However, these 5 folks like to share their music with others. We had our first rehearsal today and they were FABULOUS!
Trying to schedule them is like trying to schedule teenagers. They are all incredibly active. Leah swims and is involved in Bible studies and church activities. Al golfs and still works part-time at a local music store. Toby is involved in PEO, she's on the Library board she's a gourmet chef and fills in at a local Bed and Breakfast. Lorraine is involved in activities at her assisted living facility and plays dinner music for the residents while they're eating. Margy had a computer class today at the college from 10-12 and concert to attend at 3. These 80-somethings are more like 50-somethings.
We'll have video coming up as we travel to different venues and play popular tunes, rag-time, boogie and waltzes.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
"This is cool" . . . In the zone with black key Improv!
This afternoon during the 2:00 adult RMM class, we were improvising with voices chosen by the students. One of the ladies in class always groans when we get ready to improvise. After a few minutes, I suggested we try some voices: shamisen, koto, pan flute, shakuhachi and harp. I said, "Let's listen carefully to each voice and decide how each of our instruments fits into the orchestra." The shakuhachi (a toned bamboo instrument) kept the beat. The harp plucked 2 notes at a time and played occasional glissandos. The pan flute played long sustained tones. We were all transported to a different place - we were in the zone. This improv sounded like a soundtrack from a movie. As I was observing smiling faces, obviously caught up in the moment, totally enjoying themselves, I happened to glance at the lady who usually complains about improvising. She caught my eye and I read her lips, she whispered, "This is cool." Did I mention, I love my work!
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The RMM Journey for Facilitators
I just returned from MTNA National Convention at Disneyland. We were so fortunate to have had a dedicated track for RMM on Pedagogy Saturday. It was wonderful to hear inspiring and heartwarming stories of how music had changed the lives of students. And how the experience of facilitating RMM classes had changed the lives of teachers. As I visited with many talented professionals who had been touched by the message of Recreational Music Making, I was reminded of my own journey. The transformation doesn't happen instantly for most. It seems to start with a resonating message; music has the power to change lives. Did I want to invest my life teaching people to play the piano or did I want to be involved in changing lives. My philosophical evolution took several years - and RMM facilitating has now become my mission. If you're an RMM facilitator on 'the journey', be patient with yourself. There are thousands of people who are just waiting for someone like you to give them permission to play the piano.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Redefining Success! Successful Students - Successful Facilitators
Our classes for kids, teens and adults follow a "Participation" model of Recreational Music Making (RMM). Each class is an independent, non-sequential musical experience. Our objectives: 1) Students will have FUN! 2) Students will be engaged in motivating, musical activities, and, 3) Students will take ownership of their class, as a group. These objectives are measurable! Are students laughing? Are students focused? Are students offering ideas for tunes they want to play or tunes they want to learn next?
These objectives are carefully considered as we strive to meet our Studios Mission Policy:
It is our mission to encourage independent, life-long music makers by encouraging a love for music and a passion for music making, allowing students to play music they choose at any level of proficiency.
If our mission statement is accomplished for our students, then, our students are SUCCESSFUL! And if we, as RMM facilitators, have helped our students get to this place, we are SUCCESSFUL!
Happy Teaching! Happy Playing!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
In RMM you can't get behind - It's not a race!
We're back in full swing with classes! Thursday night one of our adult students, who has been out of class since before Christmas break, was back in class. After class, she mentioned that she'd been apprehensive about returning . . . afraid that she would be too far behind to catch up. She was pleasantly relieved to find that she was able to play with the class and have a good time. Debra Perez used to say something like, "RMM (Recreational Music Making) is not a race - you can't get behind." This student's comments were a reminder as an RMM facilitator to continue spiraling back and to always be mindful of a comfortable pace for each student and for the class as a whole.
Happy New Year Everyone! Happy Teaching!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
WillBailyPianoTunes.com is now on Facebook
Just a quick invite - Check out our new Facebook page! While we'll continue to share video and thoughts about traditional and RMM teaching here on this Blog. The Facebook page will be easier for teachers to share ideas and comment about posts. The forum is completely open. Also, some free music and sound files are available on the website. Check us out at WillBailyPianoTunes.com and don't forget to click 'like' if you like. Happy New Year!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)