Parenting a piano student

Over the years of teaching piano, I have met many wonderful parents and valued their unfailing support in their children's music learning. However, when it comes to parenting their children in learning the piano, they all have concerns like many parents do. Luckily, we have good communications that help to overcome obstacles and form a strong Student-Parents-Teacher learning triangle.

In the "For Parent", I shared some common concerns and solutions. Topics include basic ideas of "Parenting a Piano Student 101" and FAQs like "Can my beginner child play famous pieces", "How fast can my child progress", "What means playing well", "Shall my child take a curriculum exam" and more.

Flashnote Derby Version 3 is here!

As I showed a demo of the beta tested version of the FD 3 at my last MTAC SC branch presentation in Nov, I was excited to introduce one of its best new features: the ability to recognize acoustic keyboard! It is a free update for all FD 2 users. If you believe that this note-reading app benefits your students, make sure that they download their copy this week before price increases on January 20th. Here is my full review on FD 3

Note Rush app released a "new theme"

If you are using Note Rush app, be sure to turn on the "Seasonal Themes" setting. They just released a new "Christmas theme" for students to choose in addition to the regular "lady bug" "soccer" "outer space" and "whole note" themes.
Enjoy reading notes with this app, which recognizes various instruments and acoustic piano, no wires needed. Read my review
Happy Holidays!

Music Apps Workshop for MTAC Santa Clara

I am looking forward to presenting a Music Apps workshop for my local MTAC Santa Clara Branch Program on Nov. 9th, 9:30 am, at Lincoln Glen Church, San Jose, CA 95125. What a fantastic opportunity to meet music colleagues of my local branch! Please join us if you are a member of the MTAC! 

Dvorak "Dumky" Trio

I learned about this daunting masterpiece during my first year at the graduate school and felt completely in love with it. "Dumky" is the diminutive form of the term "duma", which refers to epic ballads, specifically a song or lament of captive people. In music, it is used as a classical form that indicates a brooding, introspective composition with cheerful sections interspersed within. The piece contains a total of six movements and is like a dark fantasy with sections resonating recitatives (opening). It was challenging for the trio to be in sync with various tempo changes. I was very fortunate to have partners like Ido (cello) and Sa Ye (violin). Here is my live performance recording (piano part, of course :) for the 2nd movement. Dumky Trio

Flashnote Derby App Story

Here is a good story about using Apps in the lesson. Couple days ago, my student and I had a great satisfaction in drilling the bass clef notes using FND. The student is a beginner and lacks of confidence when it comes to reading bass clef notes. So we practiced all notes from bass C to F in various combos. First, we did landmark notes: the Bass C and F, then D and F for skips following by E and F for steps, and finally all four notes. With baby steps reading drill like this, he gained more confidence by the end of the lesson. Thanks to the Flashnote Derby for its fully customizable setting! Read my review Flash Note Derby

Conference Presentation

California Association of Professional Music Teachers State Conference, 10.15.2016
I am honored to present a technology session "Creative Teaching with Fun and Resourceful Apps for iPad//iPhone"  at California Association of Professional Music Teachers State Conference on Sat, Oct.15.2016.

Had a fun interaction with one of the audiences, Regina Tastrophe, who gave a perfect demo on "the Most Addicted Sheep Game" app. We became facebook friends! hooray to technology ^_^

Here is a short clip on introducing the notes reading and rhythm apps.