Thursday, August 18, 2011

Piano for Boys


I was thinking long and hard about how to improve my piano teaching and my piano studio.  While I was doing some Googling about new music for my students, I came across a giveaway on a piano blog, www.colorinmypiano.com.  I was so intrigued by the giveaway item, “The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo” Piano Books for Boys, that I just couldn’t wait it out to see if I had won the contest.  I went straight to www.pianomusicforboys.com and downloaded the music.  I am so glad that I did.  

I was excited to present these comic book style pieces to one male student in particular.  Once he started playing the songs, his younger brother couldn’t wait to play them, either.  They quickly learned each and every piece of music in the down-loadable early elementary level music, and have been asking for the next installment.   They love the comics, the action-oriented music, and the mysterious and exciting sounds.  They are thrilled to use the pedal, and they have asked to work on the next level of difficulty (of the same pieces) to tide them over until the next installment is complete.  

The music is convenient to order, no trips to the music store are necessary.  It is very attainable for younger students.  The hand positions are easy but not static, there is enough repetition to facilitate learning, and the music writing is exciting, fun, and full of neat ideas that the students love.  My students have already improved on their note reading and especially in their musicality.  Suddenly, musical themes and dynamics have much more meaning when attached to a Villain and a Hero.  Fermatas and rests become secret hideouts and eighth notes are clues to the mystery.  This series has certainly added energy and excitement to my students’ piano lessons.    

These pieces are easy to teach, as well. The fingerings are not overly complicated.  I find that the pieces are just easy enough that the student feels successful, but just hard enough that they are learning new material.  I’ve already started using “The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo” with a new batch of students.  Their eyes lit up and they couldn’t wait to run to the piano.  These arrangements are definitely a hit.  

You can download your copy of “Fearless Fortissimo” Piano Music for Boys at www.pianomusicforboys.com.  For $19.95, you’ll receive a down-loadable copy of the music.  You are licensed to print unlimited copies of each of three levels of music.

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