Ramey Piano Studio

Monday, October 5, 2020 by Marin Ramey | Practice

As parents, we are wearing so many hats these days. If you want some help with your role as a piano parent, if practice is a battle, or if you get to their lesson day and realize they haven't practice yet (trust me, this has happened in our house!)- I invite you to check out this blog/e-workbook. 

https://www.thecuriouspianoteachers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/e-workbook-for-piano-parents.pdf

This handout has some great ideas on what to say and ask as a piano parent. It's a great idea to praise their effort- "You worked so hard on that!" or something specific- "I could really hear your louds and softs (dynamics) that time!"

https://app.mymusicstaff.com/FileDownloader.ashx?FileID=444063&FileType=DownloadLibrary&Mode=Inline

https://www.teachpianotoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/shoutitoutprintable.pdf These are ideas that you can Shout from the Kitchen!

I love the idea in the Curious Piano Teacher about the trio- student/parent/teacher. I'm so happy to be a part of your child's life and musical journey! Let me know if there are any ways I can support you!

Monday, March 9, 2020 by Marin Ramey | composers

In honor of Women's History Month, we are studying about Fanny Mendelssohn! There is a fantastic little video about her here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOrplq_9SH8

There is also a little information at Classics for Kids. Classic FM has some great information here.

Listen to a beautiful Piano Sonata in C Minor here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLCIgyDTVg0. 

Watch for a new composer card coming home!

Wednesday, February 26, 2020 by Marin Ramey | Composing

It is so exciting to have out first studio-wide composing focus this month! Students were assigned a buddy and we worked together to create a motive based on the buddy's name. Depending on the level of the student, they used the middle C 5-finger scale, the treble C 5-finger scale, or the G 5-finger scale. I mailed all of the motives to the buddies. Students brought their letter to their lesson so they could work with me on composing their songs (if your child forgot to bring it, please help them locate the letter and put it into their piano binder for their next lesson!)

Students have written songs about family members, dogs, soccer, and other games. They can use any idea for their song! I helped them write the motive 4 times and we came up with 4 more measures together. Some students are adding left hand notes and/or chords depending on their level. Writing music on the staff takes another level of knowledge and attention to detail. It's been very valuable to see students demonstrate a knowledge of rhythm through spacing their notes in a measure. They also need to know which side of the note the stem goes on, how long the stems are, and some students will be adding articulation (staccato and legato) and dynamics (softs and louds).