Music and More: Sara Penny Blog

I surrendered to the inevitable and started online teaching while we are in quarantine. It is a challenge, but I feel that it is important that the students have music in their lives.  It cheers me up to see them and help them work out their pieces.  Sometimes there is a lag, sometimes the sound cuts out, but we laugh, and keep on trying. It is a joy to work with such wonderful families. Hopefully, by keeping our bodies separate at this time we'll have a future together later. The video has my set up so I can reach the music each student needs. I have a few props to help out. My students range from a Pre-Twinkle small child to adults. Video: Table of music and props Teaching online set up Christmas cactus decided to bloom an extra time. Basic practice: Scales for book 4 and above, 5 minutes Studies for advanced students, 5 minutes Note reading for Book 1 to 3 students, 5 minutes (this can be any music you have at home.  Easy piano music works well. I can g

As teachers and parents, we can engage our students with many of the tools that also correlate to marketing research.  Ideas from Kantar on modern marketing, International data, insight, and consultancy company Consumer Need States 1: Surprise Me      2: Help Me 3: Reassure Me     4: Educate Me 5:  Impress Me.    6: Thrill Me  The basic idea in modern marketing is to create a need so you will buy a product. We can use the same research to better engage our students and concert patrons. We want our students to own their music and to need it as part of their lives. Surprise Me: When a student is lethargic or tired then taking a break to do 10 jumping jacks engages them and helps get the blood flowing to their brain so they can focus. Working on a tricky passage with rhythms, pizzicato, or different bow strokes helps avoid boredom. Playing a short passage backward engages the brain. For small children, you can do “follow me” activities like playi