Welcome Back, Students!

Set your mind to music!
Here is an idea to best prepare for your first lesson: have a piece of music or your repertoire list ready. It will give you a jump to new music sooner.

Composer of the Month of September

Clara Wieck Schumann (Sept. 13, 1819 - May 20 1896) was a German musician, one of the leading pianists of the Romantic era, as well as a composer, and wife of composer Robert Schumann. Clara Schumann had a brilliant career as a pianist from the age of thirteen up to her marriage. From the time of her husband's death she devoted herself principally to the interpretation of her husband's works.

.............

Q: Can you guess which famous composer quit school at the age of 11?

A: Ludwig van Beethoven was the grade school dropout. His dad really wanted Ludwig to be a child prodigy like Mozart, so he started young Beethoven playing piano at a very early age. He was so young, in fact, that he had to stand on the bench to reach the keys! His dad even lied about his son's age, in order to make him seem two years younger. Ludwig himself thought he was born in 1772 instead of 1770. He quit school at age 11, and by 16, was the court organist to the elector of Bonn, Germany. (Although, it wasn't called Germany back then.) Apparently he was also a whiz at sight-reading, which helped him get the job.

Now for a little fun!

If you fill out this crossword puzzle correctly, you win a prize! Just copy it onto "word" document, fill it out, then bring it to the lesson for me to see. The clues are below.

Across

2. Curved line from one note to a different note.
3. Half-step up.
4. Forte.
9. What did Beethoven do at age 16?
10. It tells you to hold extra long.
12. Curved line from one note to the same note.
13. Gradually louder.
15. Upper region of the piano.
16. Lower region of the piano.
17. Symbol that gets rid of the sharps and flats.
18. Soft.

Down
1. Romantic era composer.
5. Gradually softer.
6. Composer who quit school at age 11.
7. It separates the measures.
8. Another name for Time Signature.
11. Half-step down.
14. The dot under or over a note.

Good Luck!

Thinking Ahead.....Summer Schedule

Now that a very successful recital has passed, it is a great time to think about new goals and new music. Plus, you don't want to loose what you have gained!

Summer schedule will begin on Tuesday, June 24. I will be teaching on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 9:30 am to 8:00 pm.

I will be handing out at the lesson, or mailing out, the Summer Schedule Policy.

I want to congratulate once again to all the students on their wonderful recital performance!

May Recital

Don't forget! The Recital is on Sunday, May 18th at 2:00 pm.

Here are a few reminders:

1) Location: The Hearthstone at 6720 E. Green Lake Way N. Seattle, 98103. Entrance is actually on 1st Ave NE (cross street). You need to buzz the door bell first to be let in.

2) About parking: please do not park in parking garage. That is for residents only! Since parking can be a little difficult in that area,
be sure to come early!

3) Bring some refreshments for after the recital.

4) Dress appropriately

For those who are playing duets, be sure to exchange phone numbers with your playing partners to arrange extra rehearsals before hand.
Good Luck!!

~ Now for a birthday to celebrate this month ~

Johannes Brahms
May 7, 1833 - April 3, 1897


Johannes Brahms in 1853

Brahms in the 1890's

Johannes Brahms was a German composer of the Romantic period. He was very close friends with Robert Schumann and his wife, Clara Wieck, both of which were also great pianists and composers. He was such a perfectionist that sometimes he would work on a composition for 10 to 15 years before publishing it. His personality was similar to Beethoven, in that, he loved taking walks in the woods. He often bought "penny " candy to give to children. He could also come off as sarcastic and grumpy. But to his close friends there were few people as loyal, generous , and lovable as he. By the 1860's, he became quite financially successful from his compositions. However, he preferred a more simple and humble life-style, living in a three-room apartment with a housekeeper, giving away much of his money to relatives and anonymously helping support young musicians.

Check this site to learn more about Brahms. And they even have a discography list in which you can listen to samples of his music!
http://www.naxos.com/composerinfo/Johannes_Brahms/27097.htm

Did you know.....?
Researchers have discovered that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert and master of ANYTHING! This includes writers, chess players, athletes, artists, mathematicians, and musicians. Ten thousand hours is equivalent to roughly three hours a day, or twenty hours a week, of practice over 10 years.
(Taken from the book "This is your Brain on Music" by Daniel J. Levitin)

Recital Readiness

Only 6, yes six, weeks until the recital. The recital is Sunday, May 18th at 2:00 pm. (Just a tiny little reminder).
Here are a few tips for a good performance:

First, schedule enough time at the piano daily, keeping fingers and mind in shape.

Second, after each repetition working out the difficult places in the music, be sure to take deep breaths.

Third, play for friends and family as much as possible. Don't forget to bow to say "thank you" to the audience!

Now, for a source of inspiration .... go see some live concerts! A student once told me that "listening to music on the radio or a CD is like can food compared to a live concert, which is like fresh organic food." Click on www.seattle.gov/arts/community/seattle_presents.asp

and www.trumba.com/calenders/lmc_public_concerts for some live concerts in Seattle.

Also, check out this site , www.classicsforkids.com/composers/composers_atoz.asp , for some fun musical games (for example, compose your own piece and listen to it back), learn about the lives of composers, and much more!

Master Class Mania

Students locating whole and half steps of a scale.

Students race to see who can answer musical questions first.

Here I'm helping Miranda correct her posture.

Students revel in the fun of the Master Classes that I offer once a month. They learn music through group games, work on their presentation skills and at the same time meet other students with similar interests at various skill levels.

Photos by Diane Anderson