Tag: Music

Me? Teach Piano? | Book Release and Giveaway

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
Being a teacher is just part of who I am. I love teaching, and it’s easy for me to see that God has given me that love for teaching. Of course, I love teaching piano, but you know what else? I love helping other musicians know how to teach too! (so, I like teaching teachers?) Last year, the Lord gave me the idea to write a down-to-earth, somewhat whimsical booklet, “Me? Teach Piano?” This year, I’m happy to announce that it is available to piano teachers and wanna-be teachers!
For a moment, let me pause and brag on Sydney Bonnell, because I love the cover, and everyone who sees it says they love it too. I had an idea for the cover in mind, but if you know me, you know that the best thing I can draw is stick people. One of my sisters mentioned that a friend’s sister drew and there we had it. God answered Sydney’s prayer for a way to use her drawing, and my prayer in providing an artist! And then once and again, my sister, Elizabeth, helped me out with the inside graphics.
Okay, now for the book!

“You play piano? Could you teach my daughter?” The parent looks too desperate to turn down, yet your thoughts run wild. “Me? Teach piano? I can barely play myself! Do they know what they’re trying to get themselves into?!”

“Me? Teach Piano?” is a simple guide to clear up some of your questions as you learn a down-to-earth approach to creating piano policies, interacting with students, and choosing the correct curriculum.

Purchase on Amazon (available soon in print):

a Rafflecopter giveaway


OTHER BLOGS

As always, a group of supporters rallied behind me for the release of “Me? Teach Piano?” Hop over and check out their sites!

July 27, 2016 (release day)
With a Joyful Noise – http://withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com/
August 1, 2016
Trio Praise – trio-praise.com
August 2, 2016
Honey Rock Hills – http://www.honeyrockhills.com/
August 4, 2016
Bookish Orchestrations – http://bookishorchestrations.blogspot.com
August 8, 2016
A Thousand Daily Deaths – http://www.drumofadifferentbeat.wordpress.com
Peculiar on Purpose – http://peculiaronpurpose.blogspot.com
August 9, 2016

With a Joyful Noise (wrap-up and giveaway announce) – http://withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com/

Classical Music for the Church Musician (Should we Learn it?)

Published on by Amanda Tero5 Comments
At youth camp this summer, one of messages preached was on music, and how it was created to glorify God. Afterwards, one of my students came up to me and asked, “If music is for God’s glory, what about classical music?” It made me stop and think, because that is a question that I had battled for years. I’m not about to say that all of these classical composers were Christians and wrote the pieces for God’s glory. So, if music is to be for God’s glory, why do we learn classical music? Or go through lesson books, for that matter?
 
I can’t answer this question for others, but for me, I have a total peace about using classical and lesson books. The ultimatum is the goal. I never learned classical music with the goal of becoming a classical musician for the world’s applause. Classical music was but a tool to help me better use my music for God’s glory. Just like I didn’t use only the Bible to learn reading and mathematics, I didn’t use only hymns to learn music.
In Bible times, Christian musicians were the maestros. Sadly, Christians are not the top musicians of our day. Look at the contemporary Christian movement. All you need to know is a few simple chords and you can be part of the praise and worship team. Excellence in praising God is no longer our standard, like it was in King David’s time (read 1 Chronicles 15:16-22).
While I do not judge beginning musicians as they learn to worship God in song, and I fully believe that God can use musicians of any level, is the attitude of “I don’t have to put in effort” God’s desire? Are we willing to work to multiply the talents that God has given us, so that we can better be used for His glory?
Not at all do I think of myself as the prime example, but looking back, I can clearly see a few things. Because I learned classical music and secular theory, I not only can arrange at a higher level, I can write it down for others to use for God’s glory as well. Because I learned classical music, it has equipped me to teach. Because I learned classical music, it has given me many more opportunities to use music for God’s glory.
Are there downfalls to learning classical? For sure, yes. I personally believe it goes back to our motives and goals though. Are we learning classical to “one-up” our fellow musician and become top dog? Or are we learning it to master musical techniques that cannot be found elsewhere?
This is definitely an issue that each musician needs to determine in his own heart as he seeks the Lord.

What do you think about this issue? Is it okay for the church musician to use classical music in training and musical influence?

Me? Teach Piano? – ready for review

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

It’s almost time, folks! “Me? Teach Piano?” is on the brink of release and I’m getting reviewers signed up to read it. Are you interested in getting a free eBook of “Me? Teach Piano?” Email me at withajoyfulnoise{at}gmail{dot}com and I’ll send a copy your way in exchange of a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads.


Table of Contents:
1. Welcome to the World of Teaching
– Can you do this?
– Not all musicians are teachers
– When a pianist should begin teaching
– Some personal advice
– The one thing I wish I knew

2. Running a Piano Studio
– How do you get students?
– Where should you teach?
– How much should you charge?
– How to organize billing/payments
– Creating a studio policy
– Scheduling lessons
– Recitals
– How to organize lessons or lesson plans

3. Parents and Students
– You and the parents
– You and the students
– Practice
– Student problems

4. About Books
– Lesson books and beyond
– Supplemental material
– Duets
– Theory
– Hymn Playing

5. About Teaching
– The fundamentals (piano keys, finger numbers, note reading, timing, chords, cadences)
– This thing called “ear”