Not piano related, but still fun

I have an Etsy shop and I just wanted to share it with you. Here is the link:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CellPictureSwitchers

Right now, there is a blog hosting a GIVEAWAY for my shop until May 23rd. Here is the link to the Giveaway:

http://goforwardwithfaith.blogspot.com/2013/05/giveaway-from-cps.html

Also, sorry for the lack of piano posts, but like I mentioned before, when we moved, I had to sell my piano. That slows down the process of composing simplified music. But I have not forgotten this blog and will continue to sporadically post! 

Girls, Disney Music and fun!

Hello again!  It's been awhile since we posted.  Lisa has been busy moving and I've been busy with my other businesses and 4 rambunctious boys.  However, after 4 busy boys, lately I've been thinking.....PINK!  That's right!  Baby number 5 is on the way and it's a sweet (we hope!) little girl :)  As much as I love primary music, and I LOOOVE primary music, sometimes piano students want to switch it up.  I feel very strongly that piano lessons should be FUN, especially in the beginning stages.  Otherwise, the joy of playing gets lost in the difficulty.  Many of my students, but especially my girls, have loved playing Disney music.  Here's an arrangement that was requested by one of my students who loved the movie, Mulan.  The notes are very simple.  I have them place their left hand with thumb on middle c and right hand with thumb on d.  Then they don't have to move their hand position the entire song.  Since the notes are easy, it's a good opportunity to learn more complex timing.  Don't go into too much detail and overwhelm them, but practice the timing both on and off (tapping, clapping, stomping) the piano.  Enjoy!

True to Your Heart

No Piano :(

Hey Friends! 

I know I haven't posted in a long time and that is because we moved to Ohio. Not just anywhere in Ohio, but the 3rd floor of an apartment building. Because my husband and I are so brilliant and decided to move all our stuff by ourselves, we had to sell our piano. Sad stuff. I'm missing it tons. I loved being able to play whenever and I wanted. So I'm afraid that means I won't be posting simplified arrangements as often. Just a heads up! But feel free to leave comments or questions, I'll do the best I can. 

Got a question?

Do you have a question or problem on how to help a piano student that you would love some advice on? Feel free to email it to me and I will post it on here so other teachers can give suggestions.

lisagardner87@gmail.com

Help! Piano Teacher Question

One of my piano teacher friends wrote me a message. She is having a little bit of trouble with one of her students. So I thought what better way to get ideas to help her than to post it on here for you guys to make suggestions. This is what she wrote:

"I have a 10 yr old that is just starting lessons and for the life of me I can't figure out why she's not getting this one concept. I've tried several different ways to teach it, but it's not sticking. UGH! Basically, she's not seeing the notes on the page for what they are i.e. she's not memorizing where middle C is or any of the notes. We've been on the very basics for 2 months now! She's still having trouble with middle C. She's still not mastering the keyboard. Like today, she said "B" and played "A" and then stared at me like, "What? I'm playing the right note?" At first I thought she was cocky like, "I don't really have to pay attention because all the rest of this has been so easy." But then last week she says, "this is too hard I want to quit." She's bored and I'm frustrated. I'm doing flashcards at the end of each lesson and using several books so that she's getting the same concept in 6 different songs instead of 2. Any thoughts? She's driving me nuts with the attitude. It doesn't help that mom is sitting in the next room till the lesson is over."

So any thoughts for my friend on how to help her student?