March 11, 2022

Very exciting moment this past week!  After two years, we finally started our Crescendo Kids CLASSES again!  Only 4 classes at North Kirkland Community Center, but it is a start.  If all goes well, we will be back in full swing by September of 2022.  Ms Kathy Jo, our newest teacher at this location, is full of energy and excitement.  (Summer Registration at NKCC begins March 17)

This Memo includes

• Feature Article: Purchasing a Keyboard or Piano (Part 1 of 2)

• Student Achievements - Recognizing the hard work and accomplishments from our students in the last month.

• Upcoming MOM events includes next Crescendo Kids start date of March 15, 2022,

• Crescendo Kids Classes - Summer registration start date at North Kirkland Community Center

• Parents Ask Pam - How do you mix returning students with new students in the same group class?
  

Feature Article - Purchasing a Keyboard or Piano (Part 1 of 2)

Recently, I’ve had several inquiries about purchasing a keyboard or piano. This two-part article will give you specifics to look for when making the decision to purchase your instrument. Today I will focus on purchasing a keyboard. Next month will focus on purchasing a piano. However, you are always welcome to contact me before then if you have specific questions.  

In today's academically competitive environment, many parents recognize the value of music education for their child. However, purchasing a piano for piano lessons is not always a viable option. There are many pros for having a keyboard instead of a piano. 

• In general, keyboards are less expensive. Most ranging from $200 - $2000 new, and considerably less if purchased used.

• Keyboards do not need to be tuned vs. pianos need tuning every 4 – 6 months, (about $150 each time).

• Keyboards can be lighter and easily moved vs. pianos which are heavy.

• Keyboards can have a multiple bank of different instrument sounds vs. pianos only sound like pianos.

• Keyboards can be hooked up to the computer making it much easier to record, write music and amplify vs. a piano which does not.

• Keyboards have many practicing features such as the ability to use headphones, play with different instrument sounds, built in metronomes and recording. This can aid in more motivation to practice and more playing time.

Parents looking for ways to provide an affordable music education for their child are considering keyboards as a piano alternative. If this is you, be careful. There are some keyboards that will actually hinder your child's ability to play!

There are 3 important things to consider when purchasing a keyboard. 

1. Width of keys on keyboard

2. Weighted or touch sensitive keys

3. Number of keys on the keyboard.

1.  Width of keys on keyboard - You definitely want full-size keys on the keyboard. I have no idea why miniature keyboards are even made. Learning to play piano on a miniature keyboard would be equivalent to learning to play basketball on a 5 foot hoop. Whatever skill you learn would need to be re-learned on the standard size keyboard. If you are going to have to re-learn it the right way, why not learn it correctly the first time? My advice, stay away from miniature keyboards!

2. Weighted or touch sensitive keys - Controlling the tone-depth and volume are techniques every pianist continues to perfect throughout their learning. This technique is one of the most important that differentiates a student from a musician. This quality is what makes a bunch of notes sound like music. Ideally, you will want a keyboard that feels as much like an acoustic piano as possible. There are many different technologies that go into imitating this feel and many piano players will value one over another. Just like every acoustic piano feels a little bit different. In fact, some pianos are more suited for quiet, sustained notes while a different brand piano would play loud, full-sounding notes better, and a third piano may be best for the rhythm section in a jazz band. The different techniques used in playing the piano will vary with each instrument as well as with each keyboard. The important thing is that your budding musician is able to start learning how to manipulate these different subtle sounds.  (I should also note that while a keyboard - even the most expensive, digital keyboard - does its best to imitate the feel and sound of a piano, at some point your child will need an acoustic piano to perfect their technique.) 

3. Number of keys on the keyboard - Being use to playing on 88 keys is vital if your child continues in music. I know of a music major in college that was quite proud of herself during a piano proficiency test until one of the judges asked her where middle C was on the keyboard. (This is usually the first note students learn when playing the piano.) As it turned out, she had played the whole piece one octave (8 notes) too high. This was from practicing on keyboards instead of an acoustic piano.

Of course there are many other factors to consider depending on your family and home lifestyle such as portability, how long you plan to have the keyboard, midi compatibility, other sounds and features, and of course cost. Although your keyboard will not increase in value, your practice will continue to improve, making you a better musician, and the value of this is immeasurable. Your first keyboard will be an investment, so choose wisely.

For Move Over Mozart, we use Yamaha PSRE-300 series.  These are 61-keys and slightly weight-sensitive, which makes them very portable.  They are also the least expensive keyboard I could find for the quality of sound, another important factor when you realize I am purchasing many keyboards for our school.  Since the majority of our students in the classroom are very beginning level, this keyboard works best for us.  However, depending on the age of your child, they would outgrow this instrument within 6 months to two years.  But there are many, many other excellent keyboards available.

If you have more specific questions, please contact me directly.  I’m happy to assist in any piano/keyboard purchase if I can.  

Student Achievements

Our students are making great progress! These students have accomplished new goals this last month.

Welcome to our new students! Mira M, Shivani K, Dylan L, Elliott W, Eve S, Jura Z, Shriya S, Siya P, Amelia G, Daniel C, Max S, Moey Z, Patrick B, Yu-Hsi C, Amy L, Derek P, Fernando A, Price C, Shane G, Siena F, Aaron C, Ari K, Clover Y, Danglac T, Kamden C, and Lucas J.

100 Days - play the piano for at least 5 minutes, 100 days in a row - Lillian R.

Played the piano every day for a whole year! - Lillian R.

5X5 - play the piano for 5 minutes, 5 days in a week, for 5 weeks in a row - Avi N (1st time!), Iris H, Lillian R, Lisielle S, and Sara M. (1st time!)

Completed their current lesson book - Everest W, James E, Lisielle S, and Molly M.

Listened to Classical music at least an hour per week for 4 weeks in a row - Sara M.

Advanced to the next music level - Abhay A, Akshay A, Daenarys A, and James E,

Met an individual challenge designed by their teacher - Kevin J.

Upcoming MOM Events

Want to see all upcoming events? Check out our calendar. It includes when the next Crescendo Kids class begins, school closure dates, piano parties, and recital dates.

FREE Online Piano Party! Students share their own music as well as participate in musical games, creating music and learning some music history. Each party is a little different with a theme and a special guest instrument. Come, meet our piano teachers, play some music, and have fun! All ages and musical levels are welcome. Parties are available to non-students, former students as well as current students. Click the link to sign up. Piano Party Sign Up

Sunday, April 3, at 11:00 am. RSVP required.

Parent Information Meetings - Have questions about our online piano class program? Want a tour of our practicing app? Click the link to schedule your meeting with Miss Pam. Parent Info Meeting

Crescendo Kids CLASSES - Tuesdays at North Kirkland Community Center -

Summer Registration begins March 17 - visit kirklandparks.net

Tuesdays, June 21 - August 23 (more classes may be added if needed)

30 - Minute Private Online Piano Lessons - Did you know that many of our teachers also teach privately? Now you can continue your child’s musical education, or your own, with Move Over Mozart. Click here for more information. Private Lessons

New Crescendo Kids Online begins Tuesday, March 15. Start the new year with music! Our piano classes are fun and easy to do! Now is a great time to join. Students are put into one of 4 classes depending on their age and musical ability.
Crescendo Kids Online Sign Up

Pre-Reading - Ages 3 - 5 years, or students not yet reading, 
We use a color-coded method for the students to match their five fingers to five keys on the piano.  New songs using only those 5 notes are given each week.  

Primary - Ages 5 -7 years or older and brand new to music, 
This group is for the very basics of piano playing.  Students learn to play simple rhythms, correct hand position, and the names of the white keys on the piano.  

Beginning Elementary - Ages 7-12 years or younger and reading notes, 
This is for students just starting to read notes on the staff.  Students are taught how the staff relates to the piano and how to translate the notes to making music.  Also, having the students memorize a few key notes on the staff will help greatly with their ability to read music.

Advanced Elementary - Ages 7 - 12 years with previous piano lessons
This group already reads notes on the staff and can immediately identify many of the notes by name.  They will learn more advanced technique and music theory beyond the initial basics of learning to play.  

Parents Ask Pam

Have a question for Miss Pam? You can email, text message, or message on Facebook your questions. She will respond immediately to you, and your question might be featured in future newsletters.

Q: How do you mix returning students with new students in the same group class?
A: Every student learns at a different pace. Even if all students start at the same time, some understand certain concepts better than others, some practice between lessons, and each start with a different musical background. Each 10-week class objectives are unique to the students in the class. The class activities would be designed to meet their musical needs and learning styles. There is a theme for the 10-weeks, such as “Rhythm,” then each week the lessons build on the previous week. Our lessons are taught in layers. For example, if a child is new to our class, our rhythm lesson may be their first lesson about rhythm. Our expectation for this child would be to understand the basic concept of rhythm having a steady beat and that different notes are held longer. For a returning student, we would expect them to review what they already remember and retain a bit more, like the names of several notes and their rhythmic value. Our classes also have interactive games and activities for the students to learn through engagement with each other. A new student can learn from the teacher as well as other classmates. A returning student also learns by helping their peers. At the piano, each student progresses through their book at their own pace. In this class design, no one is held back by a slower learning student, and no one is left behind.

Your Comments And Questions

We want to hear from you!  What are some ways that you have included music education in your children’s lives these last couple of years? Please leave your questions and comments below or email Pam directly at misspam@moveovermozart.net