Saturday, April 2nd, was the first day of the annual MTNA annual conference for music teachers held in San Antonio, Texas. And for the fourth year in a row, I've been privileged to attend. The first year I attended, it was held at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim California and it was magical to say the least. By day my mind was enlightened with new teaching ideas and by night I was mesmerized by the wonderful world of Disney reflecting in the wide eyes of my one-year-old. To me, that conference was the real kick starter for what Love Family Piano is today.
It was also at that conference I connected with JoyTunes, the ultra-creative startup company behind the award winning apps Dust Buster, Piano Maestro, and most recently Simply Piano. Thanks to Joytunes and their amazing team, I've been able to attend the last few conferences and present on their behalf. Something I feel honored to do. Although much time is spent at these conferences networking and demonstrating Piano Maestro, I get the opportunity to attend a few sessions. In one of those sessions, a young group of fine college students made their case for why teachers should teach popular music. But wait. Why are they making a case for something that seems obvious? If a child or teenager wants to learn Star Wars, Katy Perry or Coldplay, wouldn't a teacher let him or her just for the sake of honoring their wish. In short, the answer is no. Some teachers would argue that pop music is too basic, mundane, boring, or even not "pedagogically" sound for teaching students. Some feel it's a waste of time when a student can be discovering all of Bach's preludes and fugues and inventions and minuets and sonatinas and.... Well, you get the idea. But, despite this traditional approach to learning an instrument...
We Teach Pop Music! And at this session I was reminded why we not only teach popular music, but we embrace it because it can be a power tool in a student's music education! Did you know that by teaching popular music students:
Our studio tagline is Seriously Fun. Teaching popular music is one way we fulfill that commitment to our students.
Today was filled with learning, networking, great Tex Mex and great entertainment with guest artists Time for Three. But I think the most memorable moment was a quote by Carl Orff, "Tell me, I forget...Show me, I remember... Involve me, I understand." Students don't learn well by lecture or show and tell. But they do learn when they can become a participant of their musical experience.
Do you have a song you've always wanted to play? Did you ever learn it? Not yet? Comment below!
It was also at that conference I connected with JoyTunes, the ultra-creative startup company behind the award winning apps Dust Buster, Piano Maestro, and most recently Simply Piano. Thanks to Joytunes and their amazing team, I've been able to attend the last few conferences and present on their behalf. Something I feel honored to do. Although much time is spent at these conferences networking and demonstrating Piano Maestro, I get the opportunity to attend a few sessions. In one of those sessions, a young group of fine college students made their case for why teachers should teach popular music. But wait. Why are they making a case for something that seems obvious? If a child or teenager wants to learn Star Wars, Katy Perry or Coldplay, wouldn't a teacher let him or her just for the sake of honoring their wish. In short, the answer is no. Some teachers would argue that pop music is too basic, mundane, boring, or even not "pedagogically" sound for teaching students. Some feel it's a waste of time when a student can be discovering all of Bach's preludes and fugues and inventions and minuets and sonatinas and.... Well, you get the idea. But, despite this traditional approach to learning an instrument...
We Teach Pop Music! And at this session I was reminded why we not only teach popular music, but we embrace it because it can be a power tool in a student's music education! Did you know that by teaching popular music students:
- Learn to hear, read, and write simple to advanced rhythms. Pop music can also be their first introduction to syncopation.
- Learn harmony and theory, including chords.
- Learn to play from a lead sheet and improvise.
- Learn to arrange, interpret, and even compose on their own!
Our studio tagline is Seriously Fun. Teaching popular music is one way we fulfill that commitment to our students.
Today was filled with learning, networking, great Tex Mex and great entertainment with guest artists Time for Three. But I think the most memorable moment was a quote by Carl Orff, "Tell me, I forget...Show me, I remember... Involve me, I understand." Students don't learn well by lecture or show and tell. But they do learn when they can become a participant of their musical experience.
Do you have a song you've always wanted to play? Did you ever learn it? Not yet? Comment below!
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