Matlock's Piano Service
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FOR THE GOOD OF THE STUDENTS
The issues facing public school educators are real, daunting, and complex. Certainly adequate funding for public schools is a huge issue today but naively blaming budget cuts for every ill misses the mark. I feel that lack of funding may be systemic of other issues. We seem to be in the midst of a cultural […]
PERFECT PRACTICE RULES: TRY SUPERMODELING;INSIST THEY “WALK THIS WAY”;MODEL SKINNY PARTS
#18 SUPERMODELINGWe have all had moments when our modeling for students was less than super and the student performance reflected it. When I model vocally a passage from a piece and tell my students “like this,” I better make sure my body alignment, breath, vowels, soft-palate, diction, and body language are what I want. Students […]
Who Am I? A Music Educator
Music has always existed in my life. My earliest childhood memories are of the family, my parents and grandparents on both sides, getting out the hymn books and singing hymns, a cappella, in four part harmony. We especially enjoyed a “new hymn” where we could test our sight-reading skills. Later, I would accompany those hymn […]
A SPECIAL TUNING
I enjoyed my summer morning tremendously. It was a well-kept 1980 Baldwin R, which tuned up nicely. But what made it so special were the conversations with Jacob. This is Jacob’s practice piano. A former Full Chord Press student of mine, a graduate from TMP only a few weeks, and headed to KU in the […]
The Traveler’s Gift
Read “The Traveler’s Gift” by Andy Andrews this past weekend. Inspirational and challenging, this book is subtitled “Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success.” These seven nuggets are revealed in a creative story. Story is a powerful tool that makes remembering and applying these truths easier. Plus it is a fun and easy read. I challenge […]
PERFECT PRACTICE RULE #17: MAKE MODELS BELIEVABLE
I am trying with renewed interest to finish this book!! I began last summer in an effort to make some notes listing some concrete things I could do to enhance my student’s individual practice. In the process, I hoped to gain knowledge that would improve my choral rehearsals. So, I went back and read through […]
How Body Language Shapes You
Can your body language help you perform better? We preach that good body alignment is important to breath and tone. Does it help your confidence also? Performance not going well? How about expressing more … consciously change your body language. Watch this TED’s Conference presentation by Amy Cuddy. And I highly recommend this interview with David Kim.
PERFECT PRACTICE RULE #16: CALL YOUR SHOTS
Before you model, tell those for whom you are modeling what to look for. The author makes the observation that many times “shadowing” or “mentoring” is ineffective because the mentoree does not know what they are looking for. This happens in the choral rehearsal many times when I model or play a recording. After […]
PRACTICE PERFECTS RULES: NAME IT, INTEGRATE THE SKILL, MODEL AND DESCRIBE
PRACTICE PERFECT RULE #11: NAME IT Name each skill or technique you have identified as an important building block for outstanding performance. Monitor the use of this shared vocabulary: use the names, ask staff to use them, and then ensure that the names are being used correctly. Create a name for warm-ups, technique drill, […]
PERFECT PRACTICE RULE #10: ISOLATE THE SKILL
When teaching a technique or skill, practice the skill in isolation until the learner has mastered it. Uncover and retrain when compensatory skills are masking the need for isolated skill development. Confession, my students are masters at compensating for what they don’t know. Unfortunately, I am such a master teacher that I have learne how […]