[Menvi-discuss] piano methods

Thu Jun 5 19:18:57 EDT 2014

Hi, John.  I appreciated the message about bard having the American Popular 
Piano Repertoire method.  I know it was mentioned initially by someone 
outside the U.S. but I wouldn't have known about it otherwise and now that I 
know NLS has it I want to investigate it for my own teaching.  One of the 
things I find frustrating as a blind piano teacher is how difficult it is to 
get current method books.  Is American Popular Piano Repertoire available 
from NLS in hard copy Braille or only on Bard?
Marda
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Hanson, John" <jhan at loc.gov>
To: "'This is for discussing music and braille literacy'" 
<menvi-discuss at menvi.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 5:57 AM
Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] piano methods


>I recognize that there are a lot of people on this list from all over the 
>world, which is why I noted that download is available for those registered 
>for BARD.  I don't want to squelch information simply because not 
>absolutely everyone has access.  This is an issue that some are addressing 
>and wish to change, including myself.  Furthermore, in this particular 
>instance, American Popular Piano Repertoire was transcribed by Prima Vista 
>Braille Music Services in Leeds, England. I know they sell their music at 
>reasonable prices. One can inquire about paper braille versus brf files.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Menvi-discuss [mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of 
> Stephanie Mitchell
> Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2014 7:04 PM
> To: menvi-discuss at menvi.org
> Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] piano methods
>
> Not all of us can use the nls, as we live outside the us.
> Steph
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Hanson, John <jhan at loc.gov>
> To: "'Th is for discussing music and braille literacy'" 
> <menvi-discuss at menvi.org>
> Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2014 11:53 pm
> Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] piano methods
>
>>
>>
>> It should be made known that at least the American Popular Piano 
>> Repertoire is available in brf format from NLS. Free download for those 
>> registered for BARD.
>> John Hanson
>> NLS Music
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Menvi-discuss [mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf
>> Of Stephanie Mitchell
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2014 8:51 AM
>> To: menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] piano methods
>>
>> Thank you. I am a member of the RNIB, although it's a pity I cant get 
>> them in brf format.
>> I'm going to take a look at these.
>> Thanks again so much!
>> Steph
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Stephanie Pieck <themusicsuite at verizon.net>
>> To: "'Th is for discussing music and braille literacy'"
>> <menvi-discuss at menvi.org>
>> Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2014 10:35 pm
>> Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] piano methods
>>
>> >
>> >
>> > The "American Popular Piano Repertoire" method is very good; very
>> > well-paced so students play a lot of different music before making
>> > huge jumps in difficulty. You might start in Level 1 or 2--the
>> > preparatory grade would probably be too easy for your adult student.
>> >
>> > I've never used the "Little Mozarts" book, but I find that Pauline
>> > Hall's "Tunes for Ten Fingers", "More Tunes for Ten Fingers," and
>> > "Fun for Ten Fingers" books generally captivate very young students
>> > while providing a very thorough foundation. These can be had from
>> > RNIB; if you can't purchase them, you may want to look into signing
>> > up for their international lending library service. I know it works;
>> > I borrowed old ABRSM exam books and used them for several months.
>> >
>> > Hope this helps ...
>> >
>> > The Other Steph (Pieck)
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Menvi-discuss [mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On
>> > Behalf Of Stephanie Mitchell
>> > Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2014 9:36 PM
>> > To: menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> > Subject: [Menvi-discuss] piano methods
>> >
>> > Speaking of piano books etc I do have a few questions. I have just
>> > taken on an adult student. I'm using the "piano lessons book 1" by
>> > Waterman which seems quite good. She already has knowledge of treble
>> > cleef and seems a little shaky with the bass but could still read it 
>> > quite well.
>> > She wants to do pop as well and I was wondering what I could use
>> > along side the book work that would keep her interest. I need to
>> > have a braille copy too so I can follow along. I thought of the
>> > american popular piano or the easy Dan coates piano, but not sure if 
>> > they would be too hard for her.
>> > Any ideas?
>> > Also, does anyone know if the "music for little mozarts" books are
>> > in braille? I have 4 year old who is keen to start and I'd heard
>> > good things about this book.
>> > Steph
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: Stephanie Pieck <themusicsuite at verizon.net>
>> > To: "'Th is for discussing music and braille literacy'"
>> > <menvi-discuss at menvi.org>
>> > Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 9:50 pm
>> > Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] Yamaha piano course and gradings, any 
>> > help?
>> >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Winy,
>> > >
>> > > One approach you can try to correlate grading systems is to try
>> > > and find pieces that are common to both and see which grade they
>> > > occur in on each scheme.
>> > >
>> > > Alternatively, see when the student plays particular scales--i.e.,
>> > > the ones with all those pesky sharps and flats!--or when they move
>> > > from playing scales in simpler form (i.e., one octave only; hands
>> > > separately; legato
>> > > only) to more advanced (with hands a third apart, for instance).
>> > >
>> > > An important thing to keep in mind is that grading systems are
>> > > highly subjective, and while they can provide a useful framework
>> > > for study, they aren't the be-all end-all of teaching.
>> > >
>> > > Another gauge for progress is to ask the student "How long have
>> > > you studied?" Be prepared to take their answer with some
>> > > skepticism, however, because there's no guarantee that a student
>> > > who has taken lessons for five years will be playing Mozart
>> > > sonatas! If the Yamaha school has had a high rate of teacher
>> > > turnover, then the student may have studied for five or six years,
>> > > but with many changes in teaching methodology which will hamper
>> > > their progress. Just because a school follows a curriculum doesn't
>> > > mean that all the teachers employed by the
>> > school are equally adept at implementing it.
>> > >
>> > > In my own studio, whenever I am presented with a transfer student,
>> > > I use most of the first lesson to make my own assessment,
>> > > discussing with the student how long they've been playing, what
>> > > books they have used, and then having them play. Prior to the
>> > > lesson, I tell the student (or their parent) that I will ask them
>> > > to play some pieces they feel comfortable with--things they may
>> > > have played for a recital or exam, etc. I ask them to bring the
>> > > books they were last using to the
>> > class.
>> > >
>> > > Once I've had them play their chosen pieces--which says a lot
>> > > about how they play, incidentally--I ask questions about the
>> > > books, like how far they've gotten in their current one, or if
>> > > they have any particular books they enjoyed using more than others.
>> > >
>> > > After that, I ask for scales, do some sight-reading (for many
>> > > students, this is where the real truth of their studies starts
>> > > showing itself), and finally, I give them a piece to start working on 
>> > > with me.
>> > > This last item allows the student to experience my teaching style
>> > > and also lets me see their approach to learning--i.e., what do
>> > > they struggle with; what comes easily; are they attentive to
>> > > details or oblivious to everything except the current note they're 
>> > > staring at.
>> > >
>> > > If the student continues to come for lessons, then I begin to work
>> > > on technical things such as posture, hand position, etc.
>> > >
>> > > I read somewhere that the average student should be at ABRSM Grade
>> > > 1 level after about one to two years. The grades can be taken
>> > > annually after that, although personally I think the gradient in
>> > > difficult between grades--i.e., moving from Grade 5 to Grade 6,
>> > > for instance, or Grade 7 to 8--gets a bit steeper toward the higher 
>> > > end of the system.
>> > > I also think there's a bigger jump at the low end of the
>> > > system--so Grade 1 to 2 to 3 requires a bit more advancement than
>> > > going from 3 to 4
>> > to 5.
>> > >
>> > > Of course, all these are just my own personal opinions. I make no
>> > > claims to be a "great teacher" or even an expert in anything. But
>> > > I hope some of it is helpful.
>> > >
>> > > Stephanie Pieck
>> > >
>> > > -----Original Message-----
>> > > From: Menvi-discuss [mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On
>> > > Behalf Of Winy Kwany
>> > > Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2014 2:16 AM
>> > > To: This is for discussing music and braille literacy
>> > > Subject: [Menvi-discuss] Yamaha piano course and gradings, any help?
>> > >
>> > > Hi all,
>> > > I have a new student. She is still studying in Yamaha Music School
>> > > here with Yamaha piano course curiculum. She said she will have
>> > > grade
>> > > 7 Yamaha piano exam in July or October this year. I did an
>> > > acessment on her and I found her playing level is for grade 2-3
>> > > (She hasn't used any pedaling yet, but have played simple Bach and
>> > > some classical pieces). I have some questions.
>> > > First, does anyone ever transcribed Yamaha piano course into braille?
>> > > If so, where I can obtain them?
>> > > Second, how I can get the grading of Yamaha and ABRSM on track? I
>> > > am confused with the system. Yamaha has 13 grades, from grade 13 to 
>> > > 1.
>> > > I read in the website, but I am still confused. For example, if
>> > > the student is in grade 7 Yamaha, in what grade will it be for ABRSM?
>> > > Thanks in advance. Any input, suggestions, will be highly 
>> > > appreciated.
>> > > Winy.
>> > >
>> > > Please visit www.menvi.org/donate.html  to make a voluntary
>> > > contribution to MENVIs work.
>> > > -
>> > > ---------
>> > >
>> > > Thank you for subscribing to MENVI.  Should you wish to
>> > > unsubscribe, change your delivery, or set any other options
>> > > available to you, please view the list information page below.
>> > > Should you have any questions, please contact the owner of the list.
>> > > _______________________________________________
>> > > Menvi-discuss mailing list
>> > > Menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> > > http://menvi.org/mailman/listinfo/menvi-discuss_menvi.org
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Please visit www.menvi.org/donate.html  to make a voluntary
>> > > contribution
>> > to MENVIs work.
>> > > -
>> > > ---------
>> > >
>> > > Thank you for subscribing to MENVI.  Should you wish to
>> > > unsubscribe,
>> > change your delivery, or set any other options available to you,
>> > please view the list information page below.  Should you have any
>> > questions, please contact the owner of the list.
>> > > _______________________________________________
>> > > Menvi-discuss mailing list
>> > > Menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> > > http://menvi.org/mailman/listinfo/menvi-discuss_menvi.org
>> >
>> > Mitchell Piano Studio
>> > Phone: 0450354342
>> > Web: www.mitchellpianostudio.com
>> >
>> > Please visit www.menvi.org/donate.html  to make a voluntary
>> > contribution to MENVIs work.
>> > -
>> > ---------
>> >
>> > Thank you for subscribing to MENVI.  Should you wish to unsubscribe,
>> > change your delivery, or set any other options available to you,
>> > please view the list information page below.  Should you have any
>> > questions, please contact the owner of the list.
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Menvi-discuss mailing list
>> > Menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> > http://menvi.org/mailman/listinfo/menvi-discuss_menvi.org
>> >
>> >
>> > Please visit www.menvi.org/donate.html  to make a voluntary 
>> > contribution to MENVIs work.
>> > -
>> > ---------
>> >
>> > Thank you for subscribing to MENVI.  Should you wish to unsubscribe, 
>> > change your delivery, or set any other options available to you, please 
>> > view the list information page below.  Should you have any questions, 
>> > please contact the owner of the list.
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Menvi-discuss mailing list
>> > Menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> > http://menvi.org/mailman/listinfo/menvi-discuss_menvi.org
>>
>> Mitchell Piano Studio
>> Phone: 0450354342
>> Web: www.mitchellpianostudio.com
>>
>> Please visit www.menvi.org/donate.html  to make a voluntary contribution 
>> to MENVIs work.
>> -
>> ---------
>>
>> Thank you for subscribing to MENVI.  Should you wish to unsubscribe, 
>> change your delivery, or set any other options available to you, please 
>> view the list information page below.  Should you have any questions, 
>> please contact the owner of the list.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Menvi-discuss mailing list
>> Menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> http://menvi.org/mailman/listinfo/menvi-discuss_menvi.org
>>
>> Please visit www.menvi.org/donate.html  to make a voluntary contribution 
>> to MENVIs work.
>> -
>> ---------
>>
>> Thank you for subscribing to MENVI.  Should you wish to unsubscribe, 
>> change your delivery, or set any other options available to you, please 
>> view the list information page below.  Should you have any questions, 
>> please contact the owner of the list.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Menvi-discuss mailing list
>> Menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> http://menvi.org/mailman/listinfo/menvi-discuss_menvi.org
>
> Mitchell Piano Studio
> Phone: 0450354342
> Web: www.mitchellpianostudio.com
>
> Please visit www.menvi.org/donate.html  to make a voluntary contribution 
> to MENVIs work.
> -
> ---------
>
> Thank you for subscribing to MENVI.  Should you wish to unsubscribe, 
> change your delivery, or set any other options available to you, please 
> view the list information page below.  Should you have any questions, 
> please contact the owner of the list.
> _______________________________________________
> Menvi-discuss mailing list
> Menvi-discuss at menvi.org
> http://menvi.org/mailman/listinfo/menvi-discuss_menvi.org
>
> Please visit www.menvi.org/donate.html  to make a voluntary contribution 
> to MENVIs work.
> -
> ---------
>
> Thank you for subscribing to MENVI.  Should you wish to unsubscribe, 
> change your delivery, or set any other options available to you, please 
> view the list information page below.  Should you have any questions, 
> please contact the owner of the list.
> _______________________________________________
> Menvi-discuss mailing list
> Menvi-discuss at menvi.org
> http://menvi.org/mailman/listinfo/menvi-discuss_menvi.org