sharing ideas with each other

Dear Hamilton- Halton ORMTA members, Our ORMTA Fundraising

Committee is embarking on a new venture, and we are asking for your help. We feel that all of our members have teaching ideas that every member can benefit from knowing, and we ask you to request at your first branch meeting that everyone in your group sit down and record all the teaching tips they use in their studios to help their students progress in their musical studies.

We have the following categories in mind, and are also open to all other suggestions for topics: Rudiments, Theory, Technique, Practice Tips, Musical Games, Vocal, Piano, Other Instruments, Time Management, Visual Aids, Motivational Tools, Memorization, Exam, Festival and Recital Preparation, Composing Ideas

One of the MANY reasons that ORMTA membership is so important to all of us is sharing ideas with each other, and supporting each other, so we will all be better teachers. Each of us has many gifts to share, and to that end, we ask you to share your ideas with all of us, so we can help our students to reach their goals.

The completed "OPUS" will be for sale at the Convention in London next July, and we will be taking orders as soon as the book is completed. Please watch for more information about this fundraising project in the next issue of NOTES. We thank you very much for your support. Lorrie Tennant and Charline Farrell ORMTA Fundraising Committee send your tips to lorrietennant@sympatico.ca

my response

Here are five tips I've given to students:

1. Listen to the music, professionally and competently played, with the score in hand. Concentrate listening to one element at a time: Dynamics, phrasing, articulations, etc. Mark up your score with what you hear. Try it out. Keep what you like.

2. Go to concerts letting your teacher know what you like. Too many students like one type of music and dutifully and reluctantly study another type.

3. Exercise before practicing. The release of endorphins will help you focus and inspire you. For kids I've recommended running around for 10 minutes, or playing street hockey, throw some hoops etc. For adults practice try practicing after returning from the gym.

4. Learning to play well is very difficult, which is why it is so satisfying. :-)

5. Try to breathe slowly while practicing, it will help the body relax, the keep the mind focused.

Cheers, David