Polonaise in G Minor

Posted on November 30, 2012 by miriamtroxler

Polonaise  in G Minor, BWV Anh 119, from Anna Magdalena Bach’s Notebook is available in a new arrangement for strings. Six sets of instrumentation are available. The arrangements for two violins, violin and viola, and violin and cello are playable in first position. The arrangements for two violas, viola and cello, and two cellos require shifting in the first part. The arrangement for two cellos is also lovely with a cello and bass, with the bassist on the lower part.

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In a Pickle

Posted on November 27, 2012 by miriamtroxler

In a Pickle is an original composition for string quartet or string orchestra with optional piano.  A chromatic  theme will secure the student’s ability to play F sharp and F natural in a musical context. The cello part has some fourth position. All of the other parts do not have any shifting. The first performance of In a Pickle was at Music Camp in 2009 for the Beginner Group.

In a Pickle is now available as a direct download sheet music print.

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How do I read Bass Clef?

Posted on November 25, 2012 by miriamtroxler

How do I read Bass Clef?

Bass Clef or F Clef indicates where the F line is on the staff. Once you know where F is all the other notes fall into place.

Ascending from the fourth line, the notes are placed on lines and spaces one letter at a time with the musical alphabet going forwards. (figure 2)

Descending from the fourth line, the notes are placed on lines and spaces one letter at a time with the musical alphabet going backwards. (figure 3)

As the notes move from the bottom of the staff to the top of the staff, the sounds get higher.

Typically someone doesn’t memorize all of the notes at once. A person will learn to recognize several notes and then build a mental map of the bass clef adding a few notes at a time.

Every instrument doesn’t have the same reference notes. For example, a pianist will most often learn C, F, second space C, and G. A string player will most often tie the reference notes into the sounds that are made with open strings. For the cello that is A, D, G and C. Alternatively a bassist would find G, D, A, and E more useful.

Retaining and using the information in the music works most efficiently to tie it to a physical note rather than relying on a mnemonic device. Knowing the spaces spell All Cows Eat Grass is useful, but typically leads to much counting up the staff and slower note recognition and less fluidity on the instrument.

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Concerto for Two Violas, transcription for Cello

Posted on November 15, 2012 by miriamtroxler

One of the featured pieces at Concerto Workshop this summer was Telemann’s Concerto for Two Violas in G Major. Less familiar than the Concerto in G Major for viola which is performed regularly, the Concerto for Two Violas is a gem of a work. The soloists and the orchestra all have interesting parts. Each movement is a joy for the audience to hear. The solo parts can stand alone as a duet. The transcription for cellos was arranged to give cellos a chance to enjoy the work as soloists. The transcription also allows for flexibility in soloists if two good violists are difficult to find in your area.  The transcription of the Concerto for Two Violas  is now available.

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Which is better a piano or a keyboard?

Posted on November 11, 2012 by miriamtroxler

It depends on the use of the instrument. For this comparison, I am trying to be as fair as possible. So I am comparing a piano and a keyboard with touch sensitive keys. To develop as a player it is important to have the instrument respond softly if you play gently. Or if you strike the key harder to have the instrument respond more loudly.

It is possible to learn to play using either instrument. Most students who play a piano have a wider variety of sound color at their fingertips. Students who play a keyboard have to work a little harder to develop it.

The most important key in learning to play is to use the instrument. Family environment matters no matter which instrument you have. Putting the piano in the same room as a tv creates family hostilities and a barrier to practicing.

So if someone works shifts or there is a new baby, having a keyboard with headphones is a kind way to practice and keep everyone happy. Some students will end up with one of each. A piano in the family room and a keyboard in their bedroom.

Can you hear the difference?

Sound Samples provided by a student who has been playing for three months.

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Fugue in C Major BWV 953

Posted on November 9, 2012 by miriamtroxler

Bach’s Fugue in C Major BWV 953 is available as a trio. It is suitable for advanced players. Shifting would be required in all the parts. One version is for two violins and cello. The other is scored for violin, viola, and cello. Grab your friends and give it a try.

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Old Joe Clark

Posted on November 8, 2012 by miriamtroxler

An arrangement of Old Joe Clark is now available. It is suitable for a first year string player and a friend or family member who has played piano for two years.

Both parts are very easy and the duet comes together quickly.

It is available for violin and piano, viola and piano, and cello and piano.

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Save the Date, Winter Recital

Posted on November 7, 2012 by miriamtroxler

The Winter Recital will take place on December 14, 2012 at Friendship Ridge.

The program will begin at 7:00. Students report at 6:40.

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How has technology changed music lessons?

Posted on November 4, 2012 by miriamtroxler

Two weeks ago was my birthday, I realized I have been teaching for 25 years. It got me thinking about the changes in equipment since I began teaching. I have taught in the public school system, privately, and in a music store.

The  most important part of my teaching is what I carry in my head. The minimum equipment I have taught with is instrument, pencil, and stickers. Having stickers to reward success is something that has not changed in my teaching years. Much of what I do is encouragement and corrections. It is helpful to have a quantitative way to measure progress.

The student is an equal partner in the learning process. It is important to bring all of the music, notebook, and instrument to each lesson. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always occur. The level of uncertainty  is why it is helpful to have duplicates of some of the lesson material or an extra instrument available.

When I began teaching, if you wanted a recording of something, you used a cassette tape. Now there are many more options available. I record my students on a digital recording system and make a cd at the end of the year. If I want them to have a demo of a passage, it is easy to use the recording ability of the student’s cell phone. Almost everyone has one now.

I used to tell a student to listen to a piece. Some would remember and others would forget. Now I can often quickly find an example of something we are discussing using my tablet and YouTube.

Now can be faster to gather music. Sheet music is readily available on the internet now, some with instant downloads. Every piece doesn’t take a trip to the music store.

When I started teaching I would have not envisioned a one on one experience with a student not in the same room. Welcome to the world of online lessons! Weather, travel time, and family emergencies are much less of a factor. It is easier to maintain the momentum of learning when there are fewer barriers.

When I began teaching, if I was creating an arrangement or writing a piece of music. I was using staff paper and a pencil. Now I use computer software for the same task.

Even with all of the technological advances, the true measurement of success is the student.

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Happy Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2012 by miriamtroxler

Today is the last day of pumpkin walking this year. If you are curious about the adventure, it is documented at http://pumpkinwalk.wordpress.com.

Writing and publishing the Pumpkin Walk ebook was challenging enough to be considered a trick, but seeing people enjoy the book has been an awesome treat.

I hope everyone has a Halloween filled with happy surprises.

 

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