Independent Study: Part 2

One of the things I have come to really appreciate about Musikgarten's group setting for piano study is how it provides an ideal learning environment for students to learn with and from others. The independent study songs I have incorporated into our lessons are a good example of this.

Students have a variety of songs to choose from for their independent study selection. They are given the choice to choose what they want to learn "now" and once they have finished learning that song they can choose a new selection. Students get to hear and watch each other play these independent songs during class.

Listening and watching the different independent songs students have chosen to learn allows an opportunity for them to learn with and from each other:

• Students are motivated to learn the same song they heard another student play.


• Students become familiar with what the finished product sounds like, which helps them know if they are playing a song correctly as they go to learn it on their own.


• Students are eager to help "teach" each other how to play the tricky parts.

MMKB2 Student: Jakob plays "Morning Mood" from Edvard Grieg's "Peer Gynt Suite."

MMKB2 Student: Emily plays "This is the Day" - arranged by N. & R. Faber.

Independent Study: Part 1

Summer Break is gone, we have resumed lessons, and are again progressing with Musikgarten's kebyoard curriculum. With the start of a new book, new concept, or new school year I often consider where we have been and where we are going, what has worked, what I would do differently, and what I can do to improve what we are doing right now.

I have been so impressed teaching Musikgarten's keyboard curriculum and seeing how much more my "beginner" students are learning compared to the days when I taught private lessons at this level.

Because of Musikgarten's approach to musical literacy (Hear What Your See & See What You Hear) I have not been able to resist adding extensions to our lessons.

After the excitement and success of our Spring Recital when students got to choose their own special song to learn independently, I realized this was something we could continue and that it would help encourage students to continue on with the next step of musical literacy as they take what they know to figure out what they don't know.

Over the next couple weeks I will be sharing some of these Independent Study Songs students have learned:

MMKB2 Student: Loren plays "Rockin Robin" - arranged by N.& R. Faber.

MMKB2 Student: Nicholas plays "Olympic Fanfare" - arranged by N.& R. Faber.

Musikgarten Students Earn Honors During 2010 National Piano Playing Auditions

On May 6th, eight Musikgarten students auditioned as candidates for membership in the National Fraternity of Student Musicians, sponsored by the National Guild of Piano Teachers.

Each student performed in the presence of a professional adjudicator, chosen by the National organization, who examined their repertoire and evaluated their performance.

Students were declared winners and received honors in the following categories: District - Andrew Estes, Casey Halfacre, Jakob Shifflett, Emily Smeds; State - Annaliese Estes; National - Loren Black, Nicholas Braunger, Brytleigh Myhre.

Throughout the U.S. and abroad, over 100,000 piano pupils participated in the annual National Piano Playing Auditions, which are held in 880 music centers.

Spring Recital

On Saturday, May 22nd, we had our annual Spring Recital at Effort Baptist Church.

This is a special event my students look forward to because they get to perform on stage with a baby grand piano and share what they have learned with their friends, family, and other students.

From a teacher's perspective, the recital also allows students to work on fine tuning their skills, to learn about performance etiquette, and to build their confidence as musicians.

This year each student got to choose a particular song to use as their unique performance piece. The selections ranged from folk songs, hymns, popular tunes, patriotic songs, and classical pieces.

MMKB2 Student: Sofie plays one of her recital pieces, "Classic Dance" by N. & R. Faber:



MMKB2 Student: Andrew plays one of his recital pieces, "Reveille" - the U.S. Army Bugle Call:

Song Repertoire

Musikgarten's song repertoire is varied and includes songs in major and minor tonalities and modes, as well as duple and triple meters. Most songs are taken from folk literature. Care has been given to include songs from many countries as well as songs which express a variety of emotions and moods.

Singing circle allows students to make music together while developing a shared repertoire of beloved folk music and dances that are basic to the child's love of music and the love of playing the piano. A transition is then made as they learn to play these favorite songs on the piano, making for a more enjoyable and successful learning experience.

MMKB2 Student: Kathleen plays "Debka Hora" (e minor, duple meter) using legato and staccato notes:

MMKB2 Student: Ian plays "Bim Bam" (e minor, duple meter) harmonizing it with the i, iv, and V7 chords:



MMKB2 Student: Jakob plays "Listen for Bells" (D Major, triple meter) using arpeggiated I and V7 chords:

Andante by J.C. Bach

Private student, Annaliese, has prepared a 9-piece State program in the Elementary E Classification for this year's National Piano Guild Auditions on May 6th.

Here she plays one of her selections: "Andante" by J.C. Bach.

Students who audition for Piano Guild are judged on individual merit in the areas of accuracy, continuity, phrasing, pedaling, dynamics, rhythm, tempo, tone, interpretation, style, and technique.

Playing By Ear

Listening is vital to all learning and fundamental to the aural art of music!

Playing by ear is a significant component of Music Makers at the Keyboard. Playing by ear necessitates the ability to figure out how to play the melody, rhythm, and harmony of a piece without seeing the written music.

One of the most exciting things about Musikgarten's curriculum is that students come into my class each week excited to show me what they can play. Sometimes it is what we worked on in class and sometimes it is a tune they've heard on the radio, television, etc.

MMKB2 Student: Marcus discovered, outside of class, how to play "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" in D Major. He also used the I, IV, and V7 chords to harmonize "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."