How to Earn the Highest Possible Score on Your Music Theory Exam

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

It’s theory exam time! Understanding music theory and testing is part of a well-rounded program of instrument study, but getting ready can be a stressful time for music students. Read on for how to be well-prepared (and less nervous) as you take the exam.

Study tips:

1. Do your theory homework when assigned.

2. Memorize key signatures required for your level.

3. Learn to draw a keyboard and a circle of fifths. Memorize mnemonics.

4. Take practice tests.

5. Use apps like Earpeggio, Tenuto, and Staff Wars

6. Create flash cards for history, form, and vocabulary. Review frequently.

7. Read the Syllabus - a lot!

8. Practice writing clefs, key signatures, chords, intervals, music symbols, and scales.

9. Listen to the chord progressions and music history repertoire.

10. Avoid cramming.

The day before:

1. Be sure you have the necessary tools: pencil, eraser, highlighter, printer ink (virtual tests), and paper (for printer and extra notes you create during the test.)

2. Review test submission instructions and tutorials.

3. Confirm your test time (if applicable.)

4. Get enough sleep!

5. Plan out your test taking space so it’s in a quiet, well lit area, that is free of distractions.

6. If possible, use headphones for clear audio on ear training.

Test Day:

1. Be ready to take the test 15 minutes early, with all necessary materials and your work area clear and quiet. Avoid over scheduling so you aren’t rushed.

2. Plan your meals/snacks so you aren't hungry while you are testing.

3. Read all instructions and questions carefully.

4. Highlight clefs and important terms, write down mnemonics, draw a keyboard and/or a circle of fifths.

5. Avoid rushing through the test.

6. Check your work. Maybe more than once.

7. Carefully follow test submission instructions

8. Contact your teacher or ask the test administrator if you have questions.

After the test:

Give yourself a pat on the back and celebrate. Congratulations - you did it!

What You Should Know About How to Set-up for the Best Online Piano Lessons

Are you having your first online piano lesson? Have you been experiencing issues that are affecting the quality of your audio and video? Even if you have been doing school and work online for years, there are a few key differences in the set-up for online piano lessons. This article will review some familiar principles, along with options that are specifically targeted for the best online piano/keyboard lessons.

Step 1 - Device and connection

1. Not sure which device to use? Generally speaking, the newest device with the largest screen is preferred. A phone can work, but it’s not recommended. A tablet, iPad, or laptop usually is the best option.

2. If you can hardwire into your router, you will have the most stable connection.

3. If you are using wifi, be sure you are connected to the fastest signal available. Sometimes students have found their device defaults to the slower signal.

Step 2 - Software

1. If you are using an iPad or tablet, be sure to download the Zoom app.

2. If you already have the app, confirm that it is running the most recent Zoom update.

3. Close all other apps on your device for the most stable connection. 

Step 3 - Environment

1. Decide where you would like to have the lesson. Choose a well lit area that is mostly free of distractions. For clear video, it’s best if the light from a lamp or window is in front of the student, and not behind.

2. Consider how close you are to your router. If you know the signal to your phone is spotty near your instrument, you may want to try an ethernet connection.

3. Decide where to place your electronic device. It can be on a nearby table or stool. Place the iPad/tablet/laptop to the side of the piano/keyboard so the student can see the screen, and the camera will pick up the profile of the student (including their face and hands on the keyboard.) Use your photo app to see the image that will be seen during your lesson. Adjust as needed.

4. Take a quick picture of how you set everything up so it is faster for the next lesson.

Step 4 - Joining your meeting

1. Option 1: Click on the the link provided by your teacher, and enter the

   password if required.

2. Option 2: Open the Zoom app, then enter the meeting ID and password.

3. If prompted, you can do a final check of your audio and video.

4. You will be placed into a waiting room, and the teacher will admit you when it’s time to begin.

Other recommendations

• Be sure your device is fully charged

• Begin setting up @ 15 minutes before each lesson, and gather all books and materials so you won’t need to leave the lesson for any necessary items.

• Consider using earbuds or headphones. You will experience less audio and feedback issues, while enhancing your sound.

• An iPad stand (see image) is not necessary, but simplifies the setup process and can protect your device from unexpected falls.

If you would like to improve your audio upload quality, ask your teacher about how to enable original sound and other settings specifically designed for music.

That’s it! It may seem like a lot to do at first, but solid preparation before your lesson makes a huge difference!

Enjoy making music! 🎶

Video Recording Made Simple(er)

Are you a music student who needs to prepare an online audition video, festival/competition video, or YouTube video? Or do you just want to share your music performance with family that lives far away? If you have a smartphone or tablet, it seems like it should be so easy to grab that perfect take and go...but it doesn’t always work that way.

Producing a high quality video used to be only for musicians with a lot of resources. Now, most of us have the basic tools we need. However, before you begin, read on for a checklist to save time and mental performance energy before and during the recording process so you create that perfect video snapshot of your playing.

Pre-production (before you record):

1. Look all around the area that will be in the camera’s view. Is it neat, with no random objects (keys, music, phone) lying around?

2. Is the area well-lit? Remember to light behind the performer to avoid a halo effect, which makes it difficult to see. This often happens when a window is behind the subject.

3. Listen to the sounds of your environment. Can you turn off A/C, heat, fans, washer/dryer, etc.? Ask family members to avoid opening/closing doors and walking around. (Don’t forget pets!)

4. Set your devices to do not disturb mode! (It is so frustrating to be at the end of a perfect take and have a spam call destroy the video.)

5. Frame your shot, taking into consideration the requirements of the video. For example, if you are a pianist, are you required to show both your hands and feet in the video? If at all possible, use a tripod or another fixed platform instead of holding the recording device, and be sure your device is level. If you are using a phone, using landscape mode will avoid that narrow, “I recorded this on my phone” camera view.

6. Do a sound check! Play a few measures which include both ends of your dynamic spectrum (louds and softs), and listen to the recording, verifying that the soft sounds are still heard, and the loud sounds are free of distortion.

Pre-recording set-up can be the most tedious part of a good recording! If you feel like it is taking a long time to set-up, it probably means you are doing it correctly. Professional musicians and recording engineers can take several hours just setting up. You don’t need to do that, but taking 10-15 minutes before you start to play can make a HUGE difference in the final recording.

Production (recording):

1. Allow a few seconds of the camera rolling before you start, so you have some flexibility in your final edit.

2. Think about the most challenging part of your piece, hear it in your head to set the tempo, and then begin to play.

3. If you make a mistake, KEEP GOING! We tend to feel like our mistakes are much worse than they are. You may find that the best take is the first one.

4. Try to keep the number of takes (recording attempts) to @ 2-4. If you are not happy with the result, take a quick break before you try again.

Remember, a “perfect” take, with no mistakes, can feel “flat” and lack feeling or musicianship. Your goal is to find a balance between that perfect take and that high energy, moving performance that showcases all of your hard work. Enjoy the process - recording can be exhausting, but it’s also a lot of fun! 

Learn Piano Online?

7 Reasons Online Piano Lessons Work

About 11 years ago, a few parents of terrific piano students asked me if I could teach their children online. Each family valued their lessons, but for various reasons they could not drive to my studio. I had been using Skype and FaceTime for the occasional make-up lesson, so this began a crazy journey into the world of online piano teaching. Then I needed to travel, which elevated the importance of making digital lessons effective.

At first, we had lots of barriers and tech issues. But I could not argue with the convenience and accessibility of this teaching method. As a traditional teacher, I was frustrated at what I could not do, so I researched...and researched. There was not much information available at the time; maybe a few tech forums, that’s all. When I first offered the option to students, there was definitely skepticism and only a few would try it.

Now, I have students and families who regularly request online lessons-both as a part of their schedule or last minute, due to illness, appointments, etc. Some have never even been to my studio, and their progress has been amazing. I no longer use Skype or FaceTime, because I want to analyze music and review theory with a shared screen, have multiple camera angles, and virtually mark our music scores. This is thanks to amazing input from experts such as software engineers that have worked in developing online medical collaboration techniques, in addition to assistance from trainers with Artificial Intelligence programs and videoconference professionals.

So what have I learned in this process? Why do online piano lessons work? Especially now, when businesses and schools are scrambling to convert to distance learning, this post can be inspiring to students and educators alike. Please remember that this post relates to live, online piano lessons with a teacher, not recorded lessons.

1. Convenience: After school and work, we all have a limited amount of time to have dinner, do homework, pay bills, run errands, and on and on it goes. This multiplies exponentially with each child! Kids and teens (and parents) have schoolwork and/or work tasks that fill the evenings. Imagine piano lesson day being a quiet time at home to catch up on life while your child is learning, instead of another after school activity to drive to and wait to be completed. Or as an adult, it can be a time to recharge and focus on something you enjoy without leaving your home.
   

2. Efficiency: When students are prepared, transition time is greatly reduced. For families, there is no travel or parking time, no packing books or activities for siblings. For students, if the warm-up is complete, the lesson can begin right away, and teaching time can fill the entire session.
   

3. Consistency: Life happens no matter how we try to plan - we get sick, have car trouble, an appointment takes longer than expected. When lessons can be online, the need for a lesson to be rescheduled is less frequent. Lessons are more consistent, and this allows students to progress more quickly.
   

4. Insight: When teachers have a window into the practice environment, they can more readily help students succeed. Why? A piano that needs tuning, a student who may need some adjustments in technique or position at the piano while practicing- these issues are more apparent and can be readily corrected when the teacher observes the practice environment. Online lessons are like having a piano teacher come to your home, but without the extra cost and impact on the family’s routine.
   

5. Digital Collaboration: More and more business and educational institutions use online collaboration to meet and complete projects. Students who become fluent in using this method to accomplish goals will have an edge in virtual communication and productivity.
   

6. Focus: Learning to play is not just about output at the instrument -it requires developing the ear and music reading skills. Learning piano online automatically enhances focus due to the lesson being on a screen, and improves ear training when imitating the teacher.  When music scores are analyzed, only the music is displayed. Zooming in on individual sections and marking the score highlights key points in a way that cannot be achieved in studio.
   

7. It’s fun: Music games, imitation, screen markups- an online lesson by a skilled and creative teacher can still include engaging activities that promote active learning.

The takeaway - online piano lessons do work, but only if the teacher has the skill set, technology, and creative teaching elements to make this learning choice both effective and enjoyable.

Do you have questions about online piano lessons? I would love to hear from you! Feel free to complete the inquiry with any questions you may have about live, online piano lessons. My goal is to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours.

Online Piano Lessons 101: Part 1

Six Simple Steps to Improve Video Quality
(Without calling your internet provider)

Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash

Did you know that having an online piano lesson is a lot like making a TV show (without a production crew?) Why? Because little things we may not even notice live can impact a video stream. Technology has made this process much more user friendly, but sometimes issues creep in that cause us frustration. Would you like to improve the quality of your live, online piano lessons? Was the audio delayed or the picture less than clear? Read on for simple steps to improve your lesson quality so you can focus on making music.

Before we start, please keep in mind that there are numerous variables that affect video lesson quality. Some are easy to fix (and free), others are more complex and may require more tech savvy. This post will address the basics. Simple changes are often all that is required for a HUGE improvement. 

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Pre-Lesson Checklist

1. Am I using the most current electronic device at my disposal? Technology processing speed improves exponentially with each release, especially in the area of streaming.
   
   

2. Am I using the latest update on my device? Am I using the latest update on my videoconferencing software? Software is fluid and often interdependent. Keeping devices updated prevents bugs and glitches from dragging down efficiency.
   
   

3. Am I running any other apps in the background? Closing other windows on your PC or iPad frees up processing speed much needed for streaming video feeds. (Sometimes students find they have over 20 windows open...)
   
   

4. Is anyone else in my household streaming or working online at the same time? Depending on your bandwidth, you may need to be the only person online during your video conference lesson. (Especially if the other person is watching Netflix!) 
   
   

5. Are there other activities going on in the background? Any external noise and video (conversations, ringing doorbells, even rustling papers or footsteps) adds to the processing required by your device and software. Try to keep your background as quiet and calm as possible, especially if you are using the built in microphone on your device. 
   
   

6. Is my device plugged in? Especially if you are using a laptop, running on battery power only can also affect the processing speed.
   

Before your next lesson, why not try to complete this checklist? You may be pleasantly surprised at how much your online lesson quality improves. If you are still experiencing less than desirable audio/video quality, please let us know so we can help! Enjoy your lesson! 

Performance Timeline: How to Prepare So You Perform at Your Best

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” - Alexander Graham Bell

Are you ready?

Performances can bring up all sorts of nervous feelings. How can we manage our time leading up to a performance to play at our best? How can parents help their children to have a positive performance experience?

Seasoned performers knew from experience that what you do leading up to a performance can have a huge impact on the performance itself. This includes much more than practicing your instrument!

Read on for a preparation timeline to enhance your performance. Even though these suggestions are written directly to the performer, parents can apply these tips to help younger children prepare for their performance. 

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Performance Preparation Timeline

One Month Before:

• By now music should be learned, memorized and in the polishing process. Always endeavor to have continuity when you play your music!

• Review the score, and pay close attention to details as you practice, especially phrasing, marks of expression, and style. Be sure you will have the original score, if required!

• This is the final stretch-keep up your excellent practice habits and avoid mindless running through your pieces.

• Listen to good recordings of the music you will be playing.

2-3 Weeks Before:

• Have a mini recital. Gather one (or many) family members and friends and perform. If you have family or friends far away, do a FaceTime or Skype recital!

• Take note of weak areas that appeared in your mini recital. Target your practice to strengthen those weaker areas so they become your strongest!

1 Week Before:

• Verify the time and location of performance, finalize wardrobe and be sure it is clean and pressed.

• Maintain a consistent practice routine

Evening Before:

• Gather all music, prepare snacks and water, set out clothing

• Get a good night’s sleep!

Performance Day:

• Have a good breakfast, but limit sugar and caffeine

• Warm-up on your instrument

Arrive at location 20 minutes prior to scheduled performance time. Allow enough time to park, walk to the correct building, locate the room, and potential traffic snags.

The more you adapt a performance timeline and plan, the easier and more familiar performing becomes. Developing a good performance preparation routine will enable you and/or your children to develop skills needed for future “performances” such as job interviews, auditions, tryouts or oral presentations. Yes, you will still get nervous, but you can have the confidence that comes from knowing you have prepared well! 

Enjoy your performance!

Practice vs. Homework - Six Ways to Win at Both

The stage is set: It is the end of a long day of school and the real work is about to begin. Everyone is tired, but there is a mountain of homework, including a big project (due tomorrow, by the way) and (uh-oh) practice to be done. Not to mention eating dinner and getting to bed on time…and what about some fun time while you are at it? Sound familiar?

The beginning of the school year can bring with it the biggest challenges - new teachers, schools, and expectations. Sometimes families feel completely overwhelmed and think it is too much to handle - so instrument practice gets sidelined. Then it becomes a cycle of frustration and drudgery - not a winning scenario! Don’t give up - it is usually a temporary hurdle!

Here are some ideas that can add time to your routine, so your child can manage the increased responsibilities of the school year while still enjoying learning an instrument.

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Each school year brings new challenges - read on for creative ideas to thrive with both schoolwork and piano!

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Scheduling Matters

1. Start Early If your child is an early riser, or has a later start to the school day, try to make practice a part of your morning routine. That way, not only is the practice done for the day, but students get to reap all the benefits of music and math!
   

2. Start Later Set an alarm for wind down, and add practice time. Some students enjoy playing later, it can help them to relax and untangle the days’ stresses before bed.
   

3. Split It Up Instead of taking practice in one large time segment, split it into two shorter sections. Do the technique and the most challenging material in the first section, then save the longer and more fun pieces, or Piano Maestro, for later when motivation is a little harder to come by. Ask your teacher to assign the material for this approach.
   

4. Schedule an Appointment For practice? Yes! It is so much easier to get to the piano when it is a set time. Otherwise, anytime can feel like the wrong time because it is interrupting something else they had in mind. If you have a set time, it reduces the battle. Really.
   

5. Have Flex Days Some weekdays are known for being swamped with extra homework, after - school activities, or late work days for parents. Consistency is the key, but not every day needs to be the same amount of practice time. Try to have a longer practice day on a weekend, or an early school release day, while banking a short practice day for those hectic days. Or…practice on your lesson day and take one day off of the instrument on the weekend.
   

6. Parent and Me Instrument practice can feel a bit isolating at first. Sit down with your child for the first 5 minutes of practice to make sure they are not struggling with any of their music. Help younger students set goals. Then set a timer and come back at the end, so they can show you what they accomplished.

It does get easier - and by meeting the challenges of an increased workload, students reap the growth and self-satisfaction of managing both school and practice. Everyone wins.