Carol’s Piano Studio
V O L U M E
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I S S U E
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J A N — F E B
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What Does the Fox Say?
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
Buying a Piano
2
Acoustic or
Digital?
2
Links for
Buying a Piano
3
Welcome New 3
Students
Calendar Dates 4
Lost and Found 4
If you have heard the
latest, craziest, wackiest
song “What Does the
Fox Say?” you might
question why we are
learning it! First, most
kids love it. They know
the words and the
rhythms and now they
can enjoy the ‘cool factor’ that comes from being able to play a current
pop tune. But, never
fear, there is far more
value in store for them
than just learning a new
piece. We are going to
use this crazy song to
explore the use of motive in composing. Just
what is a motive you
ask? In music, a motive
is a short musical
pattern that is repeated
throughout the piece.
One of the most famous,
recognizable motives is
in Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. That simple mo-
tive is the backbone of
the entire symphony;
you can hear it in all four
movements and in every
section of the orchestra.
While the motives that
we compose for our own
version of “What Does
the Fox Say?” will most
likely never become famous, we will learn how
to use rhythm, words
and notes in a meaningful way. So, let me apologize to your listening
ears in advance as I am
pretty certain you will
have the ‘ring-a-ding,’
‘ha-tee ha-tee ha-tee ho’
stuck in your head!
In addition to composing, we are becoming
Note Reading Ninjas.
Ninjas can exhibit lightning speed when needed. Success at the piano
requires lightning note
recognition and correct
key identification. For
students who are reading notes on the staff,
we will be working our
way through 4 levels of
note reading using a variety of exercises including worksheets, iPad
games and flash cards.
If you don’t already have
Flashnote Derby on your
phone or tablet, please
download it.
I’ll be
emailing you customized
note reading exercises
for your student to practice during the week.
https://www.facebook.com/CarolsPianoStudio
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Buying a Piano
Buying a piano can be a
confusing process with
so many choices to
make: new or used, upright or grand, acoustic
or digital, rent or buy?
Learn as much as you
can about the piano market before you start
shopping. There are
many websites that can
help you do just that.
Decide on a budget. In
general, the more expen-
sive an instrument, the
better quality it is.
Where a piano is manufactured is very important. Pianos made in
Japan (Yamaha and Kawai) have a very good
reputation. However, not
all Japanese pianos are
manufactured in Japan,
only models that are 48”
or taller. German piano
manufacturers also have
a very good reputation,
but not all pianos with
German brand names
are made in Germany.
Often German names are
used on Korean or Chinese pianos of a much
lesser quality. Visit several piano showrooms,
play the instrument to
make sure you like the
tone and touch. With
careful selection, your
piano should last a lifetime.
Acoustic or Digital??
As a teacher, I recommend that students learn
on a good quality acoustic piano that is tuned
and well regulated with
working pedals. Success
at the piano comes from
consistent practice on an
instrument that is pleasing and fun to play. Imagine driving your car to
work day after day with
burnt out headlights, a
broken window and no
heater. You wouldn’t
look forward to the drive
and I imagine a new car
would be on your horizon! Likewise, your piano student will be frustrated with their piano
practice if the keys stick,
the pedal is not responsive, or the piano is flat
and in need of tuning.
Students practicing on
portable electric keyboards seldom have the
full 88 keys of an acoustic piano. Correct hand
positioning, control of
tone, finger strength,
correct use of arm
weight and other technics are not possible on a
portable, electric keyboard. If an electric piano is preferred, a better
choice would be a digital
piano with 88 weighted
keys .
Tips for Buying an Acoustic Piano
http://www.pianoworld.com/Buying_A_Piano/Buying_A_Acoustic_Piano.html
Tips for Buying a Digital Piano
http://www.pianoworld.com/Buying_A_Piano/buying_a_digital_piano.html
CAROL’S
PIANO
STUDIO
VOLUME
2
ISSUE
3
PAGE
Links for Buying a Piano
Anatomy of an Acoustic Piano http://www.pianoworld.com/buypiano3.htm
Buying a Used Piano http://www.pianoworld.com/buypiano5.htm
How Old Is the Piano? http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/pin.html
Finding the Piano’s Serial Number
http://www.pianoatlas.com/findno.html
What About Brand Names? http://www.marthabeth.com/piano_brands.html
Piano Prices http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/pin.htm
Rent to Buy Option http://portland.classicpianos.net/services/piano-rentals
Lifetime Trade-Up Policy http://portland.classicpianos.net/about/trade-up-policy
Apply for a FREE Piano from the Snowman Foundation
http://www.snowmanfoundation.org/index.php/programs/play-it-forward/
Welcome to New Students
Claire Reeburgh is a transfer
student and in the 4th grade
at Harmony Elementary. She
is friends with lots of students of Carol’s Piano Studio: Hailey and Grace Meyer,
Noah and Sarah Kelly, Olivia
and Henry Klinetobe to
name just a few!
Alexa and Brooke Gaudio
are beginner students. They
are both in 4th grade at
Prune Hill and are twin sisters! Their cousin, Chaniya
Allen is a former student.
3
Calendar Dates

March 31—April 4
Performance Class Week

April 5—April 13
Spring Break , Studio closed

April 14
Lessons resume
Lost and Found
BOY’S RIGHT HAND BLACK GLOVE
After Performance Class in December size youth 4-7.
MAN’S BLACK COAT
After recital in December. Claim it, (I won’t tell your wife).
GREEN PLATE
After recital in June 2013
Carol’s Piano Studio
2117 NE 159th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98684
Phone: 360-882-4678
Email: [email protected]
Website : http://carolspianostudio.yolasite.com/