Music For Memory: The iPod Project

A number of my students are planning to perform at a local residence for seniors on April 1. I know they will love to see and hear the children, but wouldn't it be even more special if we play "their" music. So we have been preparing a wonderful selection of golden oldies like "Side By Side", "Ain't She Sweet", "Moon River" and "Try to Remember".


With my new interest in playing the harp I have been reading and thinking about music therapy. I recently discovered a website called Music For Memory, which is a non-profit organization that provides free iPods to seniors with Alzheimer's.

From their website:
New cutting edge research is showing that the people suffering from Alzheimer’s/dementia may see improved mental functioning through the extraordinary power of music. Music can help to awaken, stimulate and improve cognitive functioning. Familiar songs help to unlock memories and are able to penetrate areas of the brain that are often inaccessible.
Benefits may include:

• Improved memory & communication
• Overcoming withdrawal
• Decrease agitation & depression
• Increased overall happiness

Why don't you go get a cup of coffee and take 5 minutes to watch this video about their iPod Project.

"Emma" Troll

I don't have very many early level students this year so I only have a few opportunities to work my way through the new editions of the Piano Adventures material. Last week my student learned "Grumpy Old Troll" and I was delighted with the new lyrics. We especially had fun making yawning and snoring sounds at the end of the song.

When "Grumpy Troll" came back after a week of practicing, Emma had decided to change all of the "grumpy" trolls to "Emma" trolls. Well, that just happens to be a perfect fit and it was fun to sing along.

Adding or changing the lyrics is a great way to personalize a song for your student. It can help with rhythm and memory, plus it's just plain fun!

Did I write "Beasty Beast"?

And this is why I shouldn't try to talk and write at the same time. Of course what I really meant was "Beauty & the Beast".

I recall another funny blooper from some years ago with a student who was learning "Penguins" by Linda Niamath. Intending to write "remember your crescendo", I discovered one week later that I had written "remember your penguins".

And I have caught myself many times during the writing frenzy of adjudicating, planning to write "I love your dynamics", but instead announcing "I love you dynamics!"

"If you can't make it better, you can laugh at it" - Erma Bombeck

Hooray for Eggs

Hooray for the chocolate eggs that fit in my jellybean dispenser. Who likes jellybeans anyway? Personal research shows that chocolate egg consumption results in improved theory scores.

Smileys to the rescue!

"Just a spoonful of sugar..."

These little smileys get a lot of use each week, so they pretty much live at the treble end of my piano.

Forget how to play that dominant seventh chord? No problem. Need to plan the black keys for e minor harmonic? Smileys to the rescue.  Identifying tones and semitones, we can help! So you need to play that passage eight times, we'll make it easier.

Want to make your own set? All you need is a bag of cute buttons from the craft store and a blob of oven bake clay. I rolled out eight little spheres (about 1/2 inch). Press the button into each sphere to create a flat bottom. Now remove the buttons and bake the clay in the oven following the directions. After the clay is cool and hard you will be able to snap the buttons back into their holes.

Time to tidy up the nest

March Break is the perfect time to tidy up the nest. Is it just me, or does every studio need a dose of spring cleaning this time of year?

I love my new spinning carousel from Michael's with compartments for all my supplies and teaching goodies. Tidy theory table = tidy theory homework!

Before...oh dear!

After... ah, much better!

You know you're doing okay when...

You know you're doing okay when a 14 year old boy randomly writes this message on your white board...