[Menvi-discuss] piano methods

Fri Jun 6 15:50:45 EDT 2014

Cool idea David.
Marda
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Goldstein - Resource Center" <info2 at blindmusicstudent.org>
To: "This is for discussing music and braille literacy" 
<menvi-discuss at menvi.org>
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2014 9:01 AM
Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] piano methods


> Another possibility might be to start a listserv about method books, that
> would work sort of like Stephanie's music store.  There could be sighted
> reviewers who would report on the "in" new method books, and then the
> teachers on the list could discuss where they could find the same pieces 
> in
> books already transcribed.  Maybe there could be page comparison charts on
> the list archives.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Stephanie Pieck" <themusicsuite at verizon.net>
> To: "'This is for discussing music and braille literacy'"
> <menvi-discuss at menvi.org>
> Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 11:33 PM
> Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] piano methods
>
>
> That's a cool idea ...
>
> Stephanie Pieck
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Menvi-discuss [mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of
> Chris Smart
> Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 9:22 PM
> To: This is for discussing music and braille literacy
> Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] piano methods
>
> here's a suggestion. Why don't a bunch of blind music teachers pool their
> resources and pay to have things transcribed, then share the results among
> themselves? If you're teaching as a legitimate business, then this is part
> of the cost of doing business, albeit a high cost.
>
> At 08:00 PM 6/5/2014, you wrote:
>>The music companies are always trying to make money (can't blame them,
>>of course) so keep up dating methods books so they can sell new ones.
>>It is impossible for transcribers to keep up.
>>
>>
>>On Jun 5, 2014, at 6:34 PM, Teresa Haifley wrote:
>>
>> > I second Marta's frustration on how hard it is to find current
>> > methods in braille.  I recently had a transfer student in the Faber
>> > series and to my horror and embarrassment discovered that the print
>> > book edition was later than the brailled copy, which I had no way of
> knowing had become outdated.
>> > Many pieces were the same but the page numbers didn't match up
>> > because a different piece was thrown in here and there.
>> >
>> > We really need someone who can stay on top of these editions and
>> > keep the braille current .
>> >
>> > Teresa
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Menvi-discuss [mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On
>> > Behalf Of Marda
>> > Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 6:19 PM
>> > To: This is for discussing music and braille literacy
>> > Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] piano methods
>> >
>> > 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
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>> >>>>
>> >>>> Mitchell Piano Studio
>> >>>> Phone: 0450354342
>> >>>> Web: www.mitchellpianostudio.com
>> >>>>
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>> >>> Mitchell Piano Studio
>> >>> Phone: 0450354342
>> >>> Web: www.mitchellpianostudio.com
>> >>>
>> >>> Please visit www.menvi.org/donate.html  to make a voluntary
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>> >> Mitchell Piano Studio
>> >> Phone: 0450354342
>> >> Web: www.mitchellpianostudio.com
>> >>
>> >> Please visit www.menvi.org/donate.html  to make a voluntary
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