Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline

by Becky A Bailey

This book isn't music-related, but is a wonderful book for parents and teachers who'd like to communicate better with others, not just children. It helps you understand what children are thinking and the reason to their actions, so you'll find the best way to handle any kind of situations. Some concepts are definitely new for me to believe at first, but after applying it in my Kindermusik and piano classes and on my cousin's child, I truly thought the ideas and suggestions in the book work really well!

Let's Rock! Even Newborns Can Follow a Rhythm

from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28862536/from/ET/

Infant brain responds with error signal when beat is disturbed, study finds

by Robin Nixon
updated 2:54 p.m. PT, Mon., Jan. 26, 2009

Newborns can follow a rhythm, a new study has found, suggesting rocking out is innate.

The finding, published in the Jan. 26 issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, adds to growing evidence that the newborn brain is not the blank slate it was once thought to be.

Rather, scientists have shown, at birth we already have sophisticated methods for interpreting the world. Discrimination may be crude, explained lead researcher István Winkler of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest, but "the basic algorithms are in place already." Continue reading...

Note By Note: The Making of Steinway L1037

Have you ever wondered how a piano is hand-made?

This movie is a documentary of the making of a Steinway piano. I was fortunate to have been able to practice on Steinway pianos during my years of studying at USC.

After watching this movie, you'll understand why it's the dream of every pianist to own a Steinway piano!

http://www.notebynotethemovie.com

What instrument(s) should my child learn?

This is another common question parents ask me often. Although the most popular instruments children seem to start learning nowadays are piano and violin, there are many other instruments that are fun and wonderful to learn as well. And, keep in mind, "voice" is also an instrument!

Every instrument trains different parts of our body and brain. All of them, except for voice, focuses on hand-coordination in various ways.

With so much differences between the instruments, to ask "what instrument is best for my child" would be the same as asking "what fruit is the best for my child?"

There is no "right" or "wrong" instrument for anyone. Thus, if money isn't a concern (and many music stores offer monthly rentals for instruments, even pianos!), I'd recommend parents to let their child choose the instrument(s) themselves.

Bring them to concerts and let them see, hear and choose which instrument(s) they like.

If they like more than one instrument, let them try all of them! And after learning one or two instruments, I can guarantee you that your child will know exactly what instrument(s) she wishes to learn. (Please give at least 6 months of learning-period per instrument though. And if possible, try starting the lesson for the second instrument when your child has already had lessons for the first instrument for 3 months.)

What instruments have I learned, you asked? Piano, cello and flute! (I was very fortunate^_^)

Spring Youth Group Piano Classes!

Arcadia Recreation Youth Piano
Days/ Dates: Thursday, 4/15-5/20
Fee: $45+ $15 materials fee/ 6 weeks

Time: 4-4:50pm
Age: 5-6 years

Time: 5-5:50pm
Age: 7-14 years

South Pasadena Recreation Youth Piano
Days/ Dates: Wednesday, 5/5-6/2
Fee: $65+ $15 materials fee/ 5 weeks
Time: 5-5:50pm
Age: 5-12 years