Experienced Private Teacher of Singing, Piano, Theory
Experienced Private Teacher of Singing, Piano, Theory
Many, but by no means all, of my voice and piano students take advantage of the two student concerts I organise each year. These provide a valuable goal for many students, some of whom would not really make the effort without a concert coming up on the horizon.
Each "concert" is very informal, more like a "student concert practice". We hold them in a local town hall usually in early May and early November, and usually have an even more informal concert practice a couple of weeks before.
There are many of these music competitions in and around Perth. I tend to prefer the Fremantle Eisteddfod, run in May at the Fremantle Town Hall. (In 2000 I was myself an eisteddfod adjudicator at the Central South Eisteddfod in Narrogin, examining in voice, choir and piano.)
Held sporadically, open rehearsals are sometimes at my studio but often at a student's home. All the student host needs is a reasonably good piano, maybe ten chairs, and enough space. Over a couple of hours piano and classical and music theatre singing students drift in and out, and perform for each other. There is usually a chance to go over the music at least twice, so that students can get used to playing or singing in front of each other.
Often new students like to come to student concerts, eisteddfod
competitions and open rehearsals just to watch and test the waters
first. The next time around they may feel more confident in
participating.
Also sporadic, and held at a student's home. Students bring a plate of food.
We start by viewing a short video about singing. This might be about the anatomy and physiology of the larynx (voice box). (The wisdom of viewing someone's vocal folds in action shortly before a meal has been questioned, but so far no-one has actually thrown up.) After this we settle down to a longer video of some good singing while we eat.
Music videos we've looked at in the past have included: Hair (the 1960s rock musical), Les Miserables (the 1989 London 10th Anniversary concert performance), Opera Australia highlights: The Elixir of Love (Donizetti) and others.
Voice physiology videos have included two short videos on the Alexander Technique: 1) Marjorie Barstow working with singers and other musicians; and 2) an ultrasound video, showing the head and neck in motion. Another was The Larynx in Motion: a 16 minute video showing the larynx while speaking, singing, whistling etc.
Does anyone know of some good videos for piano students to watch?
Music exams don't suit everyone. Some people only get frustrated and anxious and their music studies may actually suffer if forced to take exams.
However, quite a number of my piano, singing and theory students, of all ages, have found exams to be just the thing to get them motivated and enthusiastic.
Studying for an exam is not to be taken on lightly. The exams are comprehensive---they test you in many ways. Preparation usually takes one to two years. Believe it!
One of the myths about exams is that you should do one exam each year. I think this pervasive idea has come about because of the notion that school children need to graduate each year into the next school year. Music exams aren't like that.
Another carry-over from school is the grading system. A 'C' in music means your exam was satisfactory. In the maths exam at school it means you'd better pull your straps up, quite a different concept. An 'A' in music, particularly a performance exam, is pretty special. Over the years my students have done the whole gamut---everything from a D to an A, from 50% to 97%.
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