Welcome to Melody Piano

I'm not a stickler for many things.  Yet the one thing that I constantly make sure that my students execute to the T is their fingering and hand positioning. 

I personally believe that correct hand positioning while playing the piano creates a more well rounded musician as a whole.  If you have your fingering correct,  it makes it easier for the musician to transition from key to key.  If you are able to have a smoother transition between sequences of keys, it will build your confidence as well. 

I have seen great improvement with my students because of this constant awareness.  If the student is sight reading, they can easily become intimidated because they feel overwhelmed by where to go after playing a certain note on the grand staff.  If their hands are where they need to be on the keyboard, it allows the student to have ease of access by giving them more control over the keys. 

This is why I am a stickler about hand positioning!  As the student learns and progresses, they are able to be confident in knowing that they are the master of the keyboard because they are the master of their fingers. 

I think that it is important to hold a healthy standard for incentive in my studio for my students.  When something is achieved, and accomplished a person should be rewarded.  Not only will the mere feeling of self accomplishment aid the individual towards staying pro-active with the task at hand, but it will boost there self confidence. 

This is what I strive to help my students do.  Lately, I have been busy getting my students ready for the SAT's, (Student Achievement Testing).  I am proud to report that each and every one of my students are exactly where they need to be with state level standards of achievement in the music program. 

The Melody Piano studio is always working hard to achieve the goals of musicianship, but we have never worked harder to get ready for the SAT's next year.  I have ended up changing my repertoire slightly to run a more structured lesson.  Because of this, I have decided to begin a new incentive program to help my students adjust to the changes. 

I now hold the 10 star program in my studio.  Each lesson,  if all goals are achieved by my student,  they recieve a star on their new assignment sheet.  After my student has recieved 10 stars,  they will recieve the prize of their choice. 

Melody Piano's assignment sheets have also changed.  Usually,  I hand out what is called a "What to work on this week" sheet to my students after each lesson.  I now give each student a repertoire sheet that will last them 10-12 weeks depending upon when they are able to reach the 10 star level of completion. 

It's so great to hear what each student has chosen for their incentive after 10 stars.  I really think that it has helped me learn more about them, and about their personalities.  I have so many different choices!  I have some students who are undecided as to what they will choose when they get to the 10 star level.  I have also recieved requests for;  Matchbox cars, a giant loli pop, a glazed donut, a starbucks gift card, lip gloss, Sheet music, a coloring book;  and the list goes on!  It's just great! 

What incentives do you use in your studio to further the enhancement of your students performance levels?