Pandemic Practicing

Summertime, and the living is lonely.  But I have a whole lot of time to play the piano!  One of my students is working on Gershwin's Summertime.  No, it's not easy, but I too am learning it and loving it!

Yes, this is the year to enjoy lots of piano time.  No days spent at the pool, no trip to the Jersey Shore, no cruise through Alaska.  I am safer-at-home, and taking advantage of this time to expand my repertoire.  All of my students are working on something Beethoven, (2020 marks the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth), so I too am learning a lot of Beethoven.  And Gershwin, and Chopin, and scales and chords. 

Yep, the boring stuff too.  I rediscovered a book I hadn't opened in years, Alfred's Group Piano for Adults, and I'm doing all the lessons, playing every sample.  I hope to incorporate some of the theory into my lessons, specifically chords and chord progressions.  As part of the Beethoven Birthday Bash that I will host for my students later in the year, I am hoping everyone will arrange their own variation on the Happy Birthday song, implementing melody and harmony.  It's a project I approach with some trepidation -- it's been years since I actually studied any of this stuff myself!  But I think we will all enjoy the challenge. 

As noted previously, I continue to teach virtually via Zoom.  It provides even more time for me at the piano.  I use the time between lessons to read through students' music, to sightread through lesson books, and to practice Summertime among others.  Yeah, pandemic practicing is lonely, but productive!  My students, as well, have ample time to practice this summer, and it shows!  I can't wait to get everyone together for our Beethoven Birthday Bash.  It's gonna be great!