...from the studio of Melody Bergman
RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
Take note! Each student is expected to keep a “practice notebook.” Any 8 1/2” x 11” spiral notebook will do... fat, skinny, red, blue... If it is used correctly, this notebook will become very important to your progress as a musician. Your notebook will include:
*Notes from your lessons.
*Records of your practice times.
*Assignments. (Don’t worry! Music homework is always fun!!! That’s why they call it playing the piano! )
Please be sure to bring your notebook to every lesson!
*Hint: It has always helped me to keep a “music bag” where everything stays together, even between lessons.
You’ve got rhythm! Every student should have access to a metronome during practice time. I recently went out and bought one for myself (which I will use with the students at lessons), and I was
pleased to find that they have gotten a lot cheaper since I started taking piano 25 years ago. I have seen metronomes at music stores such as Guitar Center and Music & Arts that range anywhere from $15 to $120. (More expensive doesn’t always mean better.) There are also a ton of free metronome apps out there now, if you have a smart phone or tablet. Parents, you might want to test out your metronome before settling on one, though. Keep in mind that you are going to be hearing it allllllll the time. Some are very high-pitched, and you might want to make sure your nerves can take it before you pay for it! (at the store, I mean).
“Practice makes perfect!” You’ve probably heard this expression before, but as you study piano, you will find out just how true it is! Please practice every day, and keep an accurate
record in your “practice notebook.” I can’t teach you how to play the piano in just 30 minutes each week! Practice is the key to success, and it is not something that I can do for you. I expect each of my students to practice for at least 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week (everybody can use a day off). Remember that I said “at least.” Your progress as a musician is really up to you! The more you practice, the better you will be!
Books! Books! Books! After browsing several music stores (which was rather like visiting a bunch of candy stores!), I have selected a method by Faber & Faber that I think will offer my students the best quality material. I will, of course, need to assess your child’s progress before selecting a level for him/her. However, the basic information will remain the same until we have completed all 5 levels. Each student will be required to purchase only the (1) Theory Book, (2) Performance Book, and (3) Lesson Book for each level assigned. The method is called “Piano Adventures” by Nancy and Randall Faber. These books have a flying piano on the front cover. Pretty fun, huh?J Also required is the Technical Exercises book from “A Dozen A Day” by Edna May Burnam. Please keep in mind that I will assign the correct level, and the student will require new books as needed. Additional “fun pieces” may be added along the way, but no additional charge for materials will be added before consulting with the parent/guardian first.
RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
Take note! Each student is expected to keep a “practice notebook.” Any 8 1/2” x 11” spiral notebook will do... fat, skinny, red, blue... If it is used correctly, this notebook will become very important to your progress as a musician. Your notebook will include:
*Notes from your lessons.
*Records of your practice times.
*Assignments. (Don’t worry! Music homework is always fun!!! That’s why they call it playing the piano! )
Please be sure to bring your notebook to every lesson!
*Hint: It has always helped me to keep a “music bag” where everything stays together, even between lessons.
You’ve got rhythm! Every student should have access to a metronome during practice time. I recently went out and bought one for myself (which I will use with the students at lessons), and I was
pleased to find that they have gotten a lot cheaper since I started taking piano 25 years ago. I have seen metronomes at music stores such as Guitar Center and Music & Arts that range anywhere from $15 to $120. (More expensive doesn’t always mean better.) There are also a ton of free metronome apps out there now, if you have a smart phone or tablet. Parents, you might want to test out your metronome before settling on one, though. Keep in mind that you are going to be hearing it allllllll the time. Some are very high-pitched, and you might want to make sure your nerves can take it before you pay for it! (at the store, I mean).
“Practice makes perfect!” You’ve probably heard this expression before, but as you study piano, you will find out just how true it is! Please practice every day, and keep an accurate
record in your “practice notebook.” I can’t teach you how to play the piano in just 30 minutes each week! Practice is the key to success, and it is not something that I can do for you. I expect each of my students to practice for at least 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week (everybody can use a day off). Remember that I said “at least.” Your progress as a musician is really up to you! The more you practice, the better you will be!
Books! Books! Books! After browsing several music stores (which was rather like visiting a bunch of candy stores!), I have selected a method by Faber & Faber that I think will offer my students the best quality material. I will, of course, need to assess your child’s progress before selecting a level for him/her. However, the basic information will remain the same until we have completed all 5 levels. Each student will be required to purchase only the (1) Theory Book, (2) Performance Book, and (3) Lesson Book for each level assigned. The method is called “Piano Adventures” by Nancy and Randall Faber. These books have a flying piano on the front cover. Pretty fun, huh?J Also required is the Technical Exercises book from “A Dozen A Day” by Edna May Burnam. Please keep in mind that I will assign the correct level, and the student will require new books as needed. Additional “fun pieces” may be added along the way, but no additional charge for materials will be added before consulting with the parent/guardian first.
Lesson time! Please be on time for your lesson. Also, please have your books ready before each
lesson begins. (NO BOOKS = NO LESSON!) I only have a short time with you each week, and I want
to make the best of it! Before and during your lesson, the following guidelines will apply:
FOR STUDENTS: Please...
*Cut your fingernails before your lesson.
*Have “practice notebook” and music unpacked before the lesson starts.
*Don’t bring siblings or friends to lesson unless they can quietly entertain themselves. (Parents are always welcome.)
*Ask questions!!!
*Do not talk about unrelated topics during lesson.
*No food, drinks, or gum at lesson.
*No cellular phones/electronic devices at lesson.
FOR PARENTS: Please...
*Do not introduce new pieces to your child ahead of the teacher.
*Do not push the teacher to go on to a new piece.
*Keep the teacher informed of personal issues that might be affecting your child’s behavior or preparation.
*Refrain from interacting with the student during lesson.
*Conversations regarding the child need to be done out of the child’s hearing.
*Refrain from comparing the child with other students.
Payment: Please pay for the entire month at the 1st lesson of each month. Customers will not be reimbursed for missed lessons unless the teacher cancels or unless there is a terrible family emergency and the lesson cannot be rescheduled within two weeks. In addition to the price of lessons, the student is also required to purchase his/her own music books and metronome (see explanation above).
Rescheduling: If, per chance, there is a terrible family emergency, or if the student is sick, I will reschedule the lesson, as long as it can be done within two weeks of the missed lesson. Please call
me 24 hours in advance if at all possible. Parents, make sure to ask me for a business card, which has my cell phone number on it. If I do not answer my cell, please leave a message. Text messaging is probably the best way to reach me!
WELL, FOLKS... That’s about it! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks, in advance, for all your support and participation! I will do all I can to make this year’s piano experience great!!! ~Melody Bergman
FOR STUDENTS: Please...
*Cut your fingernails before your lesson.
*Have “practice notebook” and music unpacked before the lesson starts.
*Don’t bring siblings or friends to lesson unless they can quietly entertain themselves. (Parents are always welcome.)
*Ask questions!!!
*Do not talk about unrelated topics during lesson.
*No food, drinks, or gum at lesson.
*No cellular phones/electronic devices at lesson.
FOR PARENTS: Please...
*Do not introduce new pieces to your child ahead of the teacher.
*Do not push the teacher to go on to a new piece.
*Keep the teacher informed of personal issues that might be affecting your child’s behavior or preparation.
*Refrain from interacting with the student during lesson.
*Conversations regarding the child need to be done out of the child’s hearing.
*Refrain from comparing the child with other students.
Payment: Please pay for the entire month at the 1st lesson of each month. Customers will not be reimbursed for missed lessons unless the teacher cancels or unless there is a terrible family emergency and the lesson cannot be rescheduled within two weeks. In addition to the price of lessons, the student is also required to purchase his/her own music books and metronome (see explanation above).
Rescheduling: If, per chance, there is a terrible family emergency, or if the student is sick, I will reschedule the lesson, as long as it can be done within two weeks of the missed lesson. Please call
me 24 hours in advance if at all possible. Parents, make sure to ask me for a business card, which has my cell phone number on it. If I do not answer my cell, please leave a message. Text messaging is probably the best way to reach me!
WELL, FOLKS... That’s about it! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks, in advance, for all your support and participation! I will do all I can to make this year’s piano experience great!!! ~Melody Bergman
No comments:
Post a Comment