Turkeys, Spiders and Practicing

Happy Thanksgiving!

I trust that your studio and classes are full and brimming with future musician's and rock stars.  I am enjoying my private students this year and looking forward to doing some group classes to cover for the upcoming holidays.  I've decided to cancel classes on all holiday Monday's and then have a group class on the Tuesday.  I'm preparing the students for this group class by letting them choose a song that they will perform for the other.   They also have been learning the E flat blues scale and will improvise with each other and if there is any time left, a bit of theory and some games. I've been thinking about this idea for a long time and have read many blogs from teachers who do just this.  I was a little worried that parents might balk at the idea of a group lesson but not one parent has said a word to the contrary.  So I'm looking forward to seeing what this little venture will do to create musical friendships among my private students. The British Columbia Music For Young Children conference was a couple of weekends ago.  It was a great time of sharing and being inspired by our speakers.  I love the fact that our speakers were are our own MYC teachers who have expertise in other areas and are willing to share their knowledge with us. Wendy Stevens of "Compose Create" website and blog has written the most adorable 'Happy Birthday" song that will be the hit at any recital.  Take this link to hear it and order it for a student for an upcoming recital. Please read about my experience at the Alberta conference with Paul Coates of the "Practice Monster" fame. Happy Thanksgiving and don't forget the "Turkey Feather" term review for a quick and fun Thanksgiving activity in your studio this week. Lois Dicknoether Solo Time Music Games info@solotimemusicgames.com  Solo Time Music Games are designed to instill a life long passion  and understanding of music and its concepts  through a fun hands on experience.

Game of the Month

Here are a couple of new digital products this month and most are geared for the Music for Young Children program. A Critter Avenue Story is a cute little review of critters developed for the MYC program  11 pages for only $2.29. (This product sold out at all conferences.) Spider Fingers is a fun printable with fingering and fingering exercises to help students learn and review their finger numbers.   Free for only a short time!

To Market To Market - The Practice Monster

In August a parent phoned and asked me to take her child as a private student who had been a student of mine a few years previously.  "Mrs. Lois," she said "You are the only one who can get him to play, he's so talented." Two years prior I had released him to another teacher as I was really tired of him NOT practicing ... ever. 

Reluctantly, I agreed while kicking myself for giving in, once again.  This was the student who I once dismissed from a lesson ten minutes in from lack of practicing and attitude.

In August, I attended a conference and heard Paul Coates speak on  "Calming the Practice Monster." He shared how he turned his students into practicing monsters.  But the one idea and suggestion that I totally couldn't get my head around was that he has all of his students phone him and let him know when they had practiced every day.

My immediate thought was, "I just don't have time for that."

But then I took back this student who never practiced and so on our first lesson I informed him that he was to call me every time he practiced.  There had to some accountability on his part.   He wasn't impressed but he phoned me on his first day of practice.  He sheepishly said that he had  practiced and I told him how "awesome" he was, which is another "Calming the Practice Monster" tip.

After a week of this student calling me it wasn't the student who changed but me.  We kind of developed a new kind of relationship. 

I wasn't always there to answer the studio line but I did listen to the messages the student left. After four weeks this student started telling me about the problems he was having with a particular part of the music that day and I was able to give suggestions right then on the phone or I would phone him back with a suggestion.

As a result, I started giving other students who didn't have a great track record of practicing, the privileged of calling me.  In every conversation I told them they were "awesome" and thanked them for calling me.  It didn't take longer than 30 seconds. The change in these students practicing is quite amazing.  And for me, I realized how I love hearing from them and encouraging them through out the week and developing more than just a once a week lesson relationship. 

Last night one little 8 year old phoned me and said he practiced and after I said how "amazing" he was and thank you for calling me and have a good night,  he said, "Good Night to you too, Mrs. Lois, see you Monday." 

That's what I'm excited about, the students practiced and they are excited about coming to lesson practiced and not feeling bad about not practicing.

September Website Updates

September Greetings, I must have dreamed that I had updated my webpage for fall 2013.  I was pretty sure that I had posted my schedule and prices. That is until a new family came to register and the mother mentioned she liked my webpage but it was out of date. Sure enough, I went to my webpage and it wasn't updated, it was a dream. I immediately fixed up my schedule and posted some recent class pictures (Of course with parents permission.) At a recent Music for Young Children conference, Judy Cosgrove the coordinator for Alberta, stated that most parents don't read the content of your webpage until after they have checked the schedule. Parents want to know right away if the lessons they are looking for are going to conflict with the other activities their children are involved in. Content and cost comes later.  I don't know what your thoughts are but I've noticed a trend as parents are trying to schedule hockey, dance (etc. etc. etc.) and piano  into their child's lives, piano often takes 2nd or 3rd place.  All these activities have their place in a child's development  but I've noticed a shift as piano lessons aren't being considered a priority. Lessons are only considered if the time fits in with other activities.  Perhaps I've been at fault over the years at being too accommodating and shifting my schedule to suit a families schedule, but with all the information out there about how valuable music is in a child's development, I just wonder why it often takes second place. I would be interested in hearing your comments on this topic. Here's a great article on "Why Music Education Rocks!" Darlene Irwin created a great poster designed for her parents to help them understand how to  help their child be successful in music lessons. Read about it below. Thanks to the Alberta teachers for their support in August.  Love hearing how you are using the games in ways I just didn't think of. Looking forward to seeing the BC and Sask teachers at upcoming meetings. May you all have a wonderful year, with classes full and music abounding. Musicallyours, Lois Dicknoether Solo Time Music Games info@solotimemusicgames.com  Solo Time Music Games are designed to instill a life long passion  and understanding of music and its concepts  through a fun hands on experience.

Game of the Month

I've been asked if there are new games available. The answer is yes and no.  The "Flashcard Games" are still the same but there are more digital printable teaching aids for quick and ready access to assist you better.  The digital items are found on the Teachers Notebook website. New to teaching this year? Tempo Terms are 19 small posters to decorate your studio with or use as a teaching aid. Tempo Circles can be used to make your own colourful wall decorations.  This pdf comes with all kinds of words to create an exciting visual presence in your studio.

To Market To Market

Darlene Irwin, a music teacher from Ontario, Canada has a wonderful website called "The Student Music Organizer."  Darlene's website is chock full of tips, tricks and great teaching aids.  This past month she created the best little poster I've seen for her parents that I just had to post.  It's called "How can I help my child be successful in piano lessons."  This poster encourages parents with tips on how to help their child have a great music year.  She's given me permission to post it on the teachers notebook site and for you to download for FREE.  Be sure to "like" her on facebook as a thank you
 for printing it off for your parents. 

Good Evening,
I can hardly believe August is half way through and I'm so not in teaching mode. It's been a great summer so far the weather is hot late into the evening which makes it hard to get in the studio to clean it up and organize.  I'd rather be sitting on the deck visiting with friends.

My first priority for summer memories was visiting Jakob (my grandson) and then I was off to the California Music Teachers conference with MYC, then a Pattern Play seminar in Portland, Oregon with Forrest Kinney and now back to Alberta to see Jakob and attend a conference with the Alberta Music for Young Children teachers August 27th.

British Columbia is not known for it's hot summers and I'm not complaining   but I did get inspired to create this cute rhythm chant in 5/8 time about rain to take your students on a musical adventure mixed compound time.  The printable is a chant called Raindrops and Puddles and included is an extra page for your students to compose their own chant in 5/8 time.

Have a wonderful end to  your summer before you start getting back into the swing of organizing and teaching.  All the best with plenty of rest and summertime memories.

Musicallyours,

Lois Dicknoether
Solo Time Music Games
info@solotimemusicgames.com 

Solo Time Music Games

are designed to instill a life long passion 

and understanding of music and its concepts 

through a fun hands on experience.

   

Updated! Very Important Numbers Gumball machine teaching aid. Students match gumball numbers with Roman Numerals Black and white and now in  colour.

To Market To Market - Star Wars

I ran across this wonderful little Youtube channel that has easy rhythm ensembles to cool tunes that your students might identify with.  Here's the link to an easy rhythm ensemble for Star Wars.  Any young musician will be inspired to keep a steady rhythm with this  version of the Star Wars theme.

Square Marketing

Good Morning,

No sooner has April passed when I  start thinking about the fall and how I might market my studio for new students.  I don't use credit cards in my music studio preferring post-dated monthly checks but often parents ask if I take credit cards, especially homeschool parents who receive a credit card with education funds on it to use as payment for their child's activities and interests.  Recently I came across the the "Square Wallet", and I'm thinking it might be useful for more than just Solo Time Games.  I share  my thoughts below in "To Market To Market."

My younger students loved playing this musical Tic Tac Toe teaching aid this week. I'm always trying to come up with new and fun ways to help my students learn the basic's but I was thrilled that in reviewing the terms on this game, they new all the terms and remembered what they were for, even the fermata!  Check it out, it's free.

Many thanks to Marie Ketola for showcasing the Composing Spinner at the recent MYC Nest meeting in Ontario. 

Have a wonderful day and a warm and sunny May.

Lois Dicknoether
Solo Time Music Games
info@solotimemusicgames.com 

Solo Time Music Games

are designed to instill a life long passion 

and understanding of music and its concepts 

through a fun hands on experience.

   

Game of the Month

Pyramid Triads is one of my all time favorite "flashcard" games. It's designed to help students identify root, first and second inversion. The cost of this game is $19.98 and on sale this month for $17.00. Order 6 "flashcard" games and shipping is FREE! Recently I've upgraded the cards and if I must say so myself  they are quite cute. I'm always grateful to Phillip Marten for his great clip art.

Solo Time Games at Teachers Notebook There are many valuable resources for your studio listed.  One simple idea is to decorate your room with    Circle Terms. They can be printed on coloured paper, laminated  and posted to create a cheery and bright room. The GIANT Circle of 5th's is just that a giant floor model of the circle of 5th's. Recently I put it up on the wall to help students get excited about our year end "Circle of 5th's" smoothy party.  At our smoothy party everyone brings something to put into a smoothy and we make smoothies choosing only five things to put in our drinks from fruit to candy.  (I supply the ice cream and chocolate syrup which doesn't count as one the five.)   We've had some pretty interesting drinks over the years.

To Market To Market - Square Wallet

Have you ever heard of the "Square Wallet"? 

I've seen the commercials on TV and didn't pay much attention to it. Until last weekend when I was at a craft fair.  A crafter had this little square attached to her iPad and it immediately perked my interest. I asked what the little device was that was on top of her iPad and she called it the "Square." 

She went on to comment that it was her best form of payment from customers. It was just a swipe, no numbers or name to write down, no time spent on the phone after an event to punch numbers into a phone, just one swipe and the transaction was done AND it deposits directly into your bank account. I like that. 

Time saver. 
 

So, I went home and ordered one (it's free) and plan on using it for Solo Time Games but the more I think about it, it really could be useful for registrations when parents sign up for the fall and don't have cash readily available. It could also be used for monthly payments.  There is also an app for the phone. 

The only downfall would be the 2.75% per transaction swipe.

I can see it having a lot of potential in making payments easier for parents and holding some accountable. But, I will have to wait and see how many parents would choose to use this form of payment to consider if the loss of 2.75% fee is too costly or worth the convenience.

I would love to hear from you if you are using this product or anything similar.

Rainy Greetings from B.C.!

I am ready for some sun! The sun made an appearance a couple of weeks ago but definitely not long enough for me to remember what it felt like. Hopefuly all this rain means it's going to be a hot summer.

Although, it must be hot in California as the strawberry's are appearing in the stores. And in honour of strawberry's, new this month is a cute "Strawberry Shortcake" Solfege activity for your students with a birthday theme as each students jumps into the circle on their birthday or plays a rhythm instrument when they say their birthday month.  My students just loved this activity last year and are excited to do it once again this year.

In this five page digital teaching aid, along with the song, there is a solfege composing component and each child is given their own solfege hand sign card to help them compose a song in sol, mi and la.  There are also some simple hand jives to add once the song is mastered. 


Once again in the Music for Young Children year is the learning of rest placement. See below what games are available in helping your students understand these concepts.

I have my recital venue booked and I plan on using Down by the Bay  by Raffi, as one of our songs but only with composers!  "Did you ever see Bach playing hard rock?" or "Did you ever see Haydn, going water slidin'?"

Thanks to everyone on Facebook who posted suggestions and more.

Cheers to sunny days ahead!

Lois Dicknoether
Solo Time Music Games
info@solotimemusicgames.com 

  

Games of the Month

Give it a Rest! Rest placement can sometimes be a struggle but with these teaching aids students place the rests on the game card. Simple fun and eraser FREE as students learn these sometimes difficult concepts before they take it to paper. Strike Out and Weak and Strong Beats are two really fun games where students have to determine the one missing rest on each card. When you don't have a lot of time these are the games you will need for a quick "rest placement" review.

To Market To Market - DrumFit

Alicia Ramsey, who lives in Tillsonburg, Ontario posted some wonderful pictures of her new studio.  I was so glad she did as there were some great ideas that I thought were awesome.

Alicia created a composing folder for her students.
In it is the child's composition, their year end certificate, the MYC composing sticker and a composing ribbon.  What a wonderful gift to her students!

Also I noticed in her pictures were exercise balls!
 Now, I was really intrigued as to why these were in her studio so I gave her a phone call.  Alicia (who honoured in percussion at university) has creatively incorporated the "DrumFit" exercise balls into her teaching to help
 students understand the value of beats (ie. Sw, Sww and SwMW)
and as part of their ensembles.

 Such a great idea, so much fun and what a great way to market how fun making music can be in your community!

Take a look at her facebook page to see her studio and DrumFit balls.
(be sure you are logged in first)

Spring

Spring Break is here!  I hope you are able to find somewhere warm to curl up with a good book or do something fun with family or friends.

I'm winding down, looking forward to some sun and beach time.

Check out Cecelia Wong's picture of her adorable son, Curtis, playing a Solo Time Music Game and her wonderful testimony.

Have restful break and a wonderful Easter with family and friends.

Musicallyours,
Lois
Solo Time Music Games
info@solotimemusicgames.com 

Solo Time Music Games

are designed to instill a life long passion 

and understanding of music and its concepts 

through a fun hands on experience.

   

Games of the Month

Easter Egg Match Up Resources Three  levels included in one pdf file for $2.29! Easter Egg Match UP Notes in Bass Clef from Low B to middle C and Treble Clef  - middle C to High C. Easter Egg Match Up  - Word Review Piano         Forte     Fine Mezzo piano       Crescendo         Legato Decrescendo       Mezzo forte       fortissimo pianissimo            Repeat       ritardando Andante              allegro                   moderato Easter Egg Match Up - Word Review Mano Sinistra      Mano Destra       Fine Cantabile              Crescendo         Legato Decrescendo        dolce                grazioso Adagio                 accelerando        ritardando Andante              allegro                   moderato Sunshine Level with Music for Young Children Critters and Notes $1.99

To Market To Market - Pictures

Cecilia Wong Testimony Many thanks to Cecelia Wong from the MusicBee Academy in Richmond B.C. for sharing this wonderful picture of her son enjoying Measure Up! a Solo Time Music Game.

March 2013

Welcome to March! February came and went and I didn't get a newsletter out! Busy, busy, as I'm sure you all are also. My classes finished up composing and the entries have been sent to Music for Young Children head office for evaluation and judging.  Read below on how I was inspired to use the compositions for a simple marketing idea. The next upcoming holiday is St. Patrick's Day.  Here is a little teaching aid I created.  It's super fun and helps students of all levels determine the number of gold coins (or counts) on each flashcard to place in the pot of gold.  I don't use the gold coins that are on the pdf but found some play money at the Dollar Store to use instead.  I'm not sure what I'm doing for Spring Break but am looking forward to getting away.   Somewhere sunny is in the books. Take care all of you out East of BC as you are being blasted by storms and here in the lower mainland we are getting drenched in rain. I'm so looking forward to spring without the showers! Musicallyours, Lois Solo Time Music Games info@solotimemusicgames.com  Solo Time Music Games are designed to instill a life long passion  and understanding of music and its concepts  through a fun hands on experience.

Games of the Month

Don't Put Your Apples - Beginning Enharmonic Note Review Shoot Out! - Whole Tones and Semi-Tones (whole and half steps) Shoot for the Stars - Enharmonic, Diatonic and Chromatic Something for the beginner Catching Critters   Note and term reveiw for students in the MYC program Something for the older theory student  What's that Dot!  Exactly that, students determine the value of the dot for the first version of this game and then determine the bottom number of the Time Signature for another variation of this basketball themed game. Remember order 6 flashcard games or more and postage is FREE!

To Market To Market - Composing Pictures

I've noticed a few teachers who have so brilliantly posted pictures of their students compositions on Facebook.  What a great marketing idea!

 

By posting their Facebook friends will see these wonderful pictures
 and be in super awe of what a great piano teacher you are.

I went with this great idea and made sure to have the titles visible as some of the titles are just so....great and inventive! 
Such as... Rocky's Last Breath! 

 But the marketing side of posting the pictures will only be
successful if they are "liked" "commented"
and or "shared"

within the Facebook community.

We are already surfing so why not help each other out  

with a simple click of the mouse on the "Like" button?

BUT...

 Facebook is an ever changing timeline. 
The picture will soon be at the bottom of the timeline and

gone forever within a few hours (so sad.)

 

(Unless... they are "liked," "shared" or "commented" on for their friends to see or
 the friends have access to the pictures and they have the time to
look through them at a later date... notice I said later.)

  There are other ways to make use of the pictures
through LinkedIn or Twitter or Google+
BUT then again, it's an ever changing timeline (not good.) 

But Pinterest is a whole different story.

 

Here you can create a specific music education board or
a board that advertises your studio (hint hint)
and when you "PIN" interesting things about music or your studio,
people will be looking at your
"board" with lovely pictures and musical ideas!  

Why is Pinterest different?

 Your boards are static and remain unchanged and visible
 for all the world to see... all. the. time!

And better yet, someone just might "REPIN" your picture
and then it almost goes "VIRAL"
as it is  "repinned" for all their followers to see
who might like it and then "repin" it!

It's the pin that keeps on giving!

How awesome is that!

Now marketing on the net isn't easy and it's time consuming but it is free!
If you don't have a Pinterest studio page, it's something to think about.

"Like," "Follow,"

"Share," "Comment," "Pin."

Air Hugs!

Happy middle of January to you! A student of mine told me last week she was only giving me an air hug, rather than the real thing. She explained that she still felt a little sick and wasn't going to touch me but still wanted to give me a hug. What a great idea! I love air hugs, especially when students are not feeling well or are sick. The incidence of flu is at an all time "epidemic" high this year and I felt I had to lay the law down this year. Please read my recommendations in the section below on what I'm asking parents to do this season. I have really enjoyed teaching  this January. The composing season is such a rewarding time in the musical year. Some compositions come with thought and purpose and some come with just a bunch of notes on a page but regardless each composition is a great teaching opportunity, spending a few minutes with each child in class guiding them in their creative process.  During the "Solo Time" with each child I put out a game for the rest of the children to play along with their parents.  The "Measure UP" series are the featured games this month with an awesome deal to get Four games for the price of three! Students and parents have loved the "Composing Spinner", as it guides them through the steps that it takes to complete their composition. Thanks to all who purchased it! My FREE GIFT this month to chase away the January blues is Hot Cross Buns, a solfege activity and Chop Chop, a rhythm activity in 6/8 time. Students particularity loved the "OFF" portion of "Chop Chop"  ostinato. All the best in keeping "flu" free, Musicallyours, Lois Dicknoether Solo Time Music Games info@solotimemusicgames.com  Solo Time Music Games are designed to instill a life long passion  and understanding of music and its concepts  through a fun hands on experience.     Games of the Month The featured games this month are the Measure Up Series. Up to six players can play these fun games and they are designed for four different levels.  Students roll dice and move around the game board collecting different note values to fill up their two measures. The first one to clap and count their two measures correctly wins! Note values vary between games: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 are in 4/4 time and Level 4 is in 6/8 time. Right Now you can Order Three and get the Four FREE! Only until January 31st, 2013. To Market To Market - Air Hugs! Flu Season Back in the day before technology offered so many solutions (not to mention distractions - but that's a different subject) when a child was sick or on vacation I would pop in a cassette tape in the recorder and tape the class  for the family to listen to at home.  It wasn't ideal but it worked.  Flash forward to 2013... I knew there was another use for my iPad (or laptop) in class.  This year I found it. Because this winter's flu is so rampant and so serious, I have asked my students' parents to not bring their children to attend classes if they or their child is sick.   I sent out links to my Google Plus account, Facetime and Skype letting them all know that  they are welcome to join the class through these electronic means if they are sick or on vacation. I also have a bottle of hand sanitizer and wipes readily available for everyone's use and have let them know that if they have sniffles "air hugs" are the best.  My experience with these formats: Google Plus is great for more than one student to attend a class online.    Facetime is the best but it's only good for one student and someone who uses Mac computer products.  Skype is slow and delayed but will do in a pinch.