Wednesday, August 21, 2024 by Jennie Higgins | Register

Fall Lessons are Right around the corner!!! I am so excited to begin this new school year with all of you. AND that there are still a few spaces that have opened for fall registration. So don't miss out! 

Here is a great check list for what you need for the fall. 

Home Instrument: An acoustic piano, or a digital piano that has a full-size keyboard (88 keys), has touch-sensitive keys, a music stand, a solid bench or chair (no twirling office chairs) and at lease one pedal is required. This will give my students the proper tools to learn technique, and expression and access more repertoire.

There are so many smaller keyboards that vary in quality.  They do not help a student learn or stick to learning as much as piano, whether digital or acoustic. As my colleague from Paloma Piano says; "They do not sound or feel like a piano and practicing on a keyboard will be discouraging."

Why should I have a real/acoustic piano?  OR even a digital piano? Well, I was talking to a colleague down at Michael Lipnicki's Fine Pianos in Calgary.  And she said something that was so profound, and I am glad that I have this instrument policy. 

If you or your child wanted to be a carpenter, you wouldn't give them old rusty tools and say, "Build me some cabinets.  Once you build me a cabinets with those old rusty broken tools, then we will invest in better ones."  What a great way to think about it!  Having a small keyboard that doesn't have everything a student needs is just like that!  How can you learn to play the piano when you don't have the right "tools"? 

Music Books: Do you have all your music books for the upcoming year?  I sent out an email with a list of books. Most of my students have them, but some need to purchase them.  Because the music stores are mostly in Calgary, I cannot always get to them.  I am asking all parents and students to go through and check their books.  If books are missing or new, please purchase them before your first lesson. 

Practice Challenges: I know it's been all summer.  But I sent home 3 practice challenges over the summer.  There is a prize for the student who finishes all 3.  A smaller prize for 2.  And an even small for finishing 1.  Do you remember them? 

Make sure you are ready to start piano, theory and voice lessons in the fall!!  Our first lesson is Tuesday, September 3rd.  What a great way to FALL IN LOVE with music!!!