Only 2 More Weeks Till Spring Break---The What?

As you start off this week, you may think it is winter again, but remember it was summer on Saturday.  I am very much ready for Spring Break.  We all need a different perspective on what we are doing.  With testing, contests, tournaments, etc, it can be overwhelming.  Everyone needs to step back and take a look at the successes that have happened.   Then, it is easier to get motivated to finish what is started.    One of the easiest things to do in life is to not try.  I like challenges, and I am discovering that most of you do too.  Some of the music you have chosen shows that you have big plans for your musical education.  That is very good.  The Week Fold Recital was great and I appreciate Gabriel, Francesca, Xaria, and Isaiah for participating.  They played very well.

Last week, I asked why you enjoy piano and I got some very thoughtful responses. Here are three of the ones I received:
Conner said " My favorite thing about piano is that you get to play for everybody.  Lots of people like to listen to sweet music."
Bethany said,

"My favorite thing to learn about in piano is two things 1) learning new songs and 2) how to create accompaniment for a song.

I love learning new songs because its a sense if accomplishment knowing I'm learning something new all the time. I love learning about different composers, and different styles of music. Three years ago I never would've attempted to learn a jazzy song. Now I love jazz music. Before last year I've never played a romantic song by Martha Mire. Now she is my favorite American composer.

I love learning how to create accompaniment because of how useful it is for me personally. The different ways to add pizzaz to a song is fun, and it makes it your own. When I walk into my church and hear the piano being played I immediately know who's playing because I know the different styles of the pianists at my church. Accompaniment is a way to express yourself, and when you add it to a hymn it can totally change the feeling of that song. Being a church pianist it is important to know how to change the song or make it sound fuller by using accompaniment.

That's my favorite things about learning the piano. "

Another student said they liked to be creative and make up their own songs.

 

Trivia:   When you are studying, do you listen to music or study in quiet places?  Why do you chose that?

My answer is:  I prefer to study in quiet places because I think best in silence.  When I am doing something challenging, I want no distractions.