Another MYC teacher has a great blog and this is something that she wrote a little bit ago and I thought I'd share it with you seeing that summer is half over and your keyboard/piano might be collecting a bit of dust :)
"By the end of June all keyboard classes are finished for the summer, but that doesn’t mean the music books and pianos should become dust collectors. Here are some ways you can ensure that your musician stays in tip top musical shape over the summer months.
- Review notes on the tin sheet or visit a website like Music Learning Community to play some note review games
- Once a week play through all the scales and chords you have learned. Can you do it without looking at your book? Make a game out of it. Two points for each scale. Keep track of your score and try to beat/maintain it the next week.
- Throw a concert for all the teddy bears in the house. Set them up in chairs, have your child design a program and list the pieces he/she will play. Be sure to prepare a snack for the post concert refreshments. (that is always the favourite part!)
- Encourage your child to play some of the pieces he or she learned back in September and remind them how far they have come this year.
- Enroll in summer music day camp where your child can enjoy their music skills in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. This is terrific reinforcement of learned concepts and a chance to connect with other kids who share their interests.
- Take your child to see a concert. Watch for free concerts in local parks, fairs and churches. Summer is often full of opportunities for catching live performances.
- Sing and dance at home. Use kitchen utensils and pots and pans to play along with your favourite music.
- Encourage your child to use all of the skills he/she has learned this year to write original songs. I can guarantee this teacher will be thrilled to play through them when you return to class in the Fall!"
