The kids are aged between 7 and 12 and have not done anything on interpretation before, although some of them have done casual ballet lessons.

For me musical interpretation means you feel the music and interpret the meaning in the choreography.

First choose music that is easy for kids to understand the meaning. You can even choose something that is instrumental but conveys a particular feeling.

As an exercise you can have all the kids close their eyes and move to the music (either sitting or standing in place). Then you can teach them a short choreography. You can keep it simple and elegant, no need to do anything to intricate. (The older kids that have more dance experience may be able to pull off something a bit more complicated.)

I like the idea of choosing a piece that conveys a specific feeling, like happy. Then you can use movements that convey that feeling to an audience. Like leaps etc.

I’m sure you will do just fine, just keep it simple!

There are umpteen zillion piano books available in music stores and online at such places as Amazon. And piano books are usually necessary if your goal is to become a better pianist.

But how does a person know which piano books are necessary and which books are redundant, to say nothing of good or bad. There are books on music theory, scales, chords, books about composers, books about music in general, and of course piano lesson books by Schaum, Williams, Alfred d’Auberge, Bastien, John Thompson, Glover, etc., etc.

The best way is to divide the study of piano playing into it’s components:

General lesson piano books:

While there are many, for the adult beginner I would select the series by Bastien titled “The Adult Beginner” It is excellent for adults, and includes quite a bit of music theory along with the piano lessons.

General books about music:

Far and away the most inspiring book about music in general is “The Joy of Music” by Leonard Bernstein. If you want to wrap your brain around music, this is the book for you. (Berstein, in case you don’t know, was both a great conductor and a great composer, having written “West Side Story” and many others.)

Another great selection would be “What To Listen For In Music” by Aaron Copeland. (He was also a great composer.)

Technique books:

The best book I have found for developing finger dexterity and piano technique is a book that has been around for a hundred years or so, but is still the standard. It is “The Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises – Complete: Piano Technique” by C. L. Hanon.

Music theory books:

There are many, most of which are complex and difficult to understand, but a good choice for a beginner would be “The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Music Theory” by Michael Miller.

Books on piano chords:

In this category I’m going to have to cast all modesty aside and select my own book titled “Piano Chords & Chord Progressions: The Secret Backdoor To Exciting Piano Playing”. It’s thorough, cheap, and very easy to read and understand.

Song books:

In addition to books that teach all aspects of piano playing, you’ll need several good songbooks so you can practice the things you are learning. The piano books you select are largely a matter of taste: if you love rock, you’ll want to buy books of rock songs. If you love jazz, or gospel, or pop, or whatever, you’ll want to get the song books appropriate to your likes and tastes.

But in addition to regular piano song books, be sure to also get a “fake book”. A fake book is a book which contains the melody, the words, and the chord symbols for songs. Usually a fake book has a thousand or more songs in it, so it is a huge bargain.

When I was a teenager fake books were illegal, but they were sold under the counter to musicians all the time. I paid $50. for my first fake book (which I still have, incidentally) which contained only 200 songs. Fifty bucks back then is similar to the national debt now. But it was something working musicians had to have.

Now fake books contain thousands of songs and sell for much less — often just $25. or so. So be sure to pick one up — preferably several, as they come in all flavors — jazz, folk, western, gospel, pop, and just about any other musical classification that you could think of.

All of these books can be obtained at your local music store or from online stores such as Amazon.

Then there is another totally different class of piano books that are part of an audio-visual course. Usually these books are supplementary to the DVD or CD (or both) which comprises the course. This type of piano books are new in the history of the world, because obviously DVD’s and CD’s haven’t existed all that long. This type of course puts it all together, so in addition to reading a book, you can hear the instruction and see it being demonstrated on your own TV or computer screen.

But whatever books you select, the important thing is to just get started learning in all these areas of music.

Duane Shinn
http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/piano-books-the-top-piano-books-to-help-you-become-a-better-piano-player-114773.html

There are umpteen zillion piano books available in music stores and online at such places as Amazon. And piano books are usually necessary if your goal is to become a better pianist.

But how does a person know which piano books are necessary and which books are redundant, to say nothing of good or bad. There are books on music theory, scales, chords, books about composers, books about music in general, and of course piano lesson books by Schaum, Williams, Alfred d’Auberge, Bastien, John Thompson, Glover, etc., etc.

The best way is to divide the study of piano playing into it’s components:

General lesson piano books:

While there are many, for the adult beginner I would select the series by Bastien titled “The Adult Beginner” It is excellent for adults, and includes quite a bit of music theory along with the piano lessons.

General books about music:

Far and away the most inspiring book about music in general is “The Joy of Music” by Leonard Bernstein. If you want to wrap your brain around music, this is the book for you. (Berstein, in case you don’t know, was both a great conductor and a great composer, having written “West Side Story” and many others.)

Another great selection would be “What To Listen For In Music” by Aaron Copeland. (He was also a great composer.)

Technique books:

The best book I have found for developing finger dexterity and piano technique is a book that has been around for a hundred years or so, but is still the standard. It is “The Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises – Complete: Piano Technique” by C. L. Hanon.

Music theory books:

There are many, most of which are complex and difficult to understand, but a good choice for a beginner would be “The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Music Theory” by Michael Miller.

Books on piano chords:

In this category I’m going to have to cast all modesty aside and select my own book titled “Piano Chords & Chord Progressions: The Secret Backdoor To Exciting Piano Playing”. It’s thorough, cheap, and very easy to read and understand.

Song books:

In addition to books that teach all aspects of piano playing, you’ll need several good songbooks so you can practice the things you are learning. The piano books you select are largely a matter of taste: if you love rock, you’ll want to buy books of rock songs. If you love jazz, or gospel, or pop, or whatever, you’ll want to get the song books appropriate to your likes and tastes.

But in addition to regular piano song books, be sure to also get a “fake book”. A fake book is a book which contains the melody, the words, and the chord symbols for songs. Usually a fake book has a thousand or more songs in it, so it is a huge bargain.

When I was a teenager fake books were illegal, but they were sold under the counter to musicians all the time. I paid $50. for my first fake book (which I still have, incidentally) which contained only 200 songs. Fifty bucks back then is similar to the national debt now. But it was something working musicians had to have.

Now fake books contain thousands of songs and sell for much less — often just $25. or so. So be sure to pick one up — preferably several, as they come in all flavors — jazz, folk, western, gospel, pop, and just about any other musical classification that you could think of.

All of these books can be obtained at your local music store or from online stores such as Amazon.

Then there is another totally different class of piano books that are part of an audio-visual course. Usually these books are supplementary to the DVD or CD (or both) which comprises the course. This type of piano books are new in the history of the world, because obviously DVD’s and CD’s haven’t existed all that long. This type of course puts it all together, so in addition to reading a book, you can hear the instruction and see it being demonstrated on your own TV or computer screen.

But whatever books you select, the important thing is to just get started learning in all these areas of music.

Duane Shinn
http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/piano-books-the-top-piano-books-to-help-you-become-a-better-piano-player-114773.html

I’d also encorporate "stretching" or dance exercises with the kids to wake you (and the students). Try making the lessons more physical, if you can. A certain note is high, like this- reach for the ceiling and wiggle your fingers. Another note is low, like this- bend over and touch the floor.

I’d also keep lots of water and nibblers around (carrots, muffin, crackers) to keep your blood sugar from dropping.

Hope this helps!

This about this, and you need to decide what instrument you like more or which one you are better at.

After you decide what instrument would be your mayor instrument, you need to practice more… scales and repertory. Why? Because you need to do an audition to be accepted at the conservatory of music.

Now, I would recommend you to start looking for Music Schools and Conservatories to see which one you like more. Check what is the repertory they require for those instruments you play, and then decided what you want to do.

Now for your quuestion: The jobs available for musicians: If you play cello or clarinet, you can join any orchestra while you are studying and make some extra income, for cello more opportunities because of the size of the section of course. Only 2 clarinets but at least 6 or 8 cellos, Could be more depending on the size of the Orchestra.

Life style: A Crazy and Unique young lady who is a great musician. All we are a little bit crazy in a good way. hours of practicing, performing and competing with others. You will find all kind of people in the Music School, Good, bad, brillian and talented, some talented and also people that you will ask to your self, My God how come He/she is here, is really bad! This is the real world lady.

My recomendation, Study study study study… until you can be the best!

In my personal experience, If I have to go back in time, I would be a musician again. That is who I am and what I do makes me happy!

Good Luck

However your age, level of experience and qualifications will affect how many people are willing to use you as a teacher – and how much you’ll be able to handle. If you’re teaching beginners then if you have grade 7+ (or equivalent) you shouldn’t have many problems; but it depends how mature you are as a person.

Of course if you want to teach music as a subject in school then you will need more qualifications – these depend on where you are, though a degree in music is pretty standard for state-run schools.

I would love to get info about teaching and or learning how to teach music.
Teach for america

I am in Los Angeles and have seen quite a few tfa kids pass through my school.

It is a very selective program – with heavy interview requirements. There are tons of candidates for the few spots available – for example there are only 200 tfa kids in the bay area.

most of the info you seek is on their website.

http://www.teachforamerica.org/index.htm

Today’s children are into electronics even at a young age. There are computers that seem as though they are toys but actually teach. They can teach the alphabet, how to read and how to pronounce words. For something a little less simple, try building blocks. Alphabet blocks are a fun way to teach letters and spelling.

There are also games that teach math. You can go with something that is old fashioned such as an abacus. Or, you can get a toy that is a little more modern such as a toy ATM machine. How about flash cards? They may date back awhile but are still fun and teach a valuable asset. Why not purchase a board game? This will give the whole family a chance to participate in a learning activity.

One of the latest crazes for learning is games. There are laptops that you can buy your children with games that will teach them something new and exciting. You can purchase different games that will teach a little bit of everything. The VTech Computer is a great example. If you are looking for something new and exciting, the WALL-E Laptop is a lot of fun for children.

Don’t forget to teach some music and science while you are playing. If your child gets bored with the games that you are playing, try inventing something new. You can use things in your house as a teaching tool. Try to be inventive when it comes to teaching your children.

Starting education while they are young will give them a head start for when they get to middle and high school. The education system changes each and every year. It is important to keep up with the different requirements that they will need to meet. Elementary school is where they will get there start and you can help them teaching at home.

Making the games a family time will make them more fun. They will not even realize that they are actually learning while they are having some family fun. Make it interesting so they will want to play time and time again. Have them want to come back for more. And, if you have a special needs child, there are special toys for that as well. Everyone deserves a great education and no one should be left behind no matter what.

Clairy Linsday
http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/teaching-toys-for-children-703830.html