Nancy Guymon gave a great presentation on "Sharpening Your Tools..." and there were some great takeaways!
- Isador Philip - contrary motion, isolated finger movement practice. Nancy had once of her students (Dena Young) at our meeting to demonstrate this technique. We (some of us) learned what a whole note and a line on either side of it equals: It's a note that is held for 8 counts. The benefits of this contrary motion exercise were discussed and we were encouraged to try it out!
- INTENTION: Nancy explained that it's important to help our students identify what their intentions are...maybe they've been called goals before, but using different terminology may help our studentts. "What is your intention?" Ask your student to be specific in pinpointing what it is THEY plan to do during the coming week to improve their piano skills. It takes a bit of effort to help them be specific in identifying what they want to do, and what they are willing to do to improve.
Nancy gave each teacher present a white board to use in their studio to help facilitate this discussion.
I tried it out on a few of my students on Wednesday and Thursday. It opened up some good dialog and self-assessment! We'll see how their "intentions" play out this coming week!!
(I wish I had thought to take a picture with each student holding their "Intention" board.
Our next chapter meeting will be held November 11th.
Dr. Carmen Hall, UMTA President, will present:
"Motivation, Without Saying a Word"
Noon, 155 Eccles Bldg, Utah Tech Campus
