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.
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.
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.
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.
Here are a few pictures of Steelers Country in the fall.
During my walks I have seen a number of Steelers Pumpkins.
A Steelers pumpkin flag waves proudly from a porch.
Perhaps you like the Steelers vignette better.
Or are interested in painted pumpkins with individual players numbers.
Do you have a team celebrated in your area?
I returned to Fellows for the Pumpkin Walk again this year. Last years event inspired a book.
Today’s walk was at Fellows Riverside Gardens in Youngstown, OH. Last year’s event inspired the Pumpkin Walk book.
Early in our time at the park a wild deer galloped through the parking lot. He was as surprised as the people in the parking lot.
This year, in addition to the pumpkins, the park was having an exhibit called “Beads For Trees.” The public was invited to make strands of beads to be displayed in the park.
The beads added a different kind of sparkle to the event.
We saw pumpkins carved like bats,
This year there were some unique faces on display.
These two used some special plastic accessories.
Have you ever seen a pumpkin blow a bubble?
I found this pumpkin creepy. It reminded me of a shrunken head.
This pumpkin’s face was amazingly detailed.
There were also patriotic pumpkins.
The flag and eagle and presidents were all displayed in…
View original post 167 more words
This gallery contains 64 photos.
This gallery contains 15 photos.
A gallery of some images from a walk at Riverside Park and around Greenville, PA.
It is a beautiful day for a walk today. I’m enjoying fall.
One of the 213 pumpkins I saw today.
Join me! Go for a walk and see how many pumpkins you can find.
What is the difference between the violin and the viola?
The violin and the viola are very similar instruments. The violin is smaller than the viola and tends to play higher. The viola, with its slightly larger size, can play a little bit lower than the violin. If you were looking at the instruments from a distance, it may be difficult to tell them apart.
Side by side it is easier to tell. The violin is on the left. Would you like to listen?
The String Instrument Demo Video was made after a series of demonstrations for elementary school students. The music was chosen to showcase what could be possible with about a year of study on each of the instruments.
12/8/12 and 12/21/12
Miriam Troxler 