NEW patriotic piano solo!
Leila Viss
by Leila Viss
5y ago
Growing up in the Christian Reformed denomination, it was never a tradition to sing or play patriotic music in church. That is not the case in the church that I play at now. No, they don’t talk politics but, they do honor their service men and women in worship services around Memorial Day and Veterans Day and even holidays like the Fourth of July. So, this has led me to years of searching for patriotic arrangements and back in 2013, I finally created my own. Six years later (2019), “Let Freedom Ring” is now notated with a few additions and tweaks. I’m happy to share this “rhapsody” with those ..read more
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Your summer lesson plans are HERE!
Leila Viss
by Leila Viss
5y ago
Perry’s Party Piano Camp is a brand new resource triggered by two things: #1 My inadequacy at playing “Happy Birthday” when asked to play it at parties. #2 Years of teaching this tune to my students so they don’t suffer the same embarrassment as I did. I’m very happy to finally share this with you! It’s a colorful, downloadable PDF resource that Helps you guide your students of any age to make their own arrangement of “Happy Birthday” in preparation for the next birthday party they attend. Provides step-by-step instructions on how to do this in private lessons OR in a group setting. Amplifies ..read more
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Is Instagram for Piano Teachers? Yes, here’s why!
Leila Viss
by Leila Viss
5y ago
Confession: I’m a piano teacher and blogger who feels like she’s always behind when it comes to social media. Now that I’ve just gotten the hang of Facebook and even connected my Twitter account to it, Instagram has taken over! How is a piano teacher to keep up? Tell me I’m not alone for thinking like this! And, for that matter, is it important for piano teachers to stay with the latest trend in social media? #instagramforpianoteachers Part of me wants to say NO! I’m not a millennial so I shouldn’t try to be one. But, the other part of me knows that if I want to connect with potential blog rea ..read more
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Why kids don’t practice and what to do about it
Leila Viss
by Leila Viss
5y ago
This article is inspired by two things: 1. A captivating TED talk that addresses the “checklisted child” and the TWO things they need most from their parents.   2. Numerous comments of friends and colleagues about their students’ lack of practice and feeling lost about what to do about it.   Although the TED talk doesn’t speak directly to teachers and what to do about students who don’t practice, I highly recommend you listen to it. Lythcott-Hayms, former dean of freshman at Stanford University, gives a dynamic and enlightening speech that caused me to cheer out loud! I wish I would hav ..read more
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NEW! Piano Solo: Lift High the Cross
Leila Viss
by Leila Viss
5y ago
This stately processional hymn suits the organ—known as the king of instruments—extremely well. Watch this video to hear the tune with a choir processing with organ… After a little investigating, I learned that the tune, Crucifer, was composed by Sydney Nicholson for the text written by George Kitchen. Both men hailed from England. Having just visited London, I enjoyed a Rick Steve’s audio tour that passed by the majestic facade of Westminster Abbey. Now I want to cross the pond again so I can hear the organ as Nicholson held the organist position there from 1919-1928! Westminster Abbey It’s ..read more
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NEW GAME! Turn off auto pilot when playing scales
Leila Viss
by Leila Viss
5y ago
Why teach scales in piano lessons? Briefly, playing scales: Builds dexterity, finger independence, flow and technical skills like crossing thumb under and crossing fingers 3 and 4 over thumb and much more. Reinforces a fundamental understanding of the key when studying repertoire. Generates a file folder of familiar patterns that will be encountered in repertoire and available for use in improvisation. How do you teach scale spelling? Equip students with rules and tools so they can discover how to play any scale on any key. For the purpose of this post, I’ll be showing how I teach major scales ..read more
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