Piano Maestro

Welcome back students! Our Fall Semester will begin after Labor Day on Tuesday September 8, I am finalizing the Fall schedule and you should be hearing from me very soon. For a complete list of this year's events please check out the Upcoming Events page.

This summer I began using the Piano Maestro App (by Joy Tunes) with my students. It is truly a game changer and there is something for all levels. The Piano Maestro app is free for teachers and their students. For my students, if you have an iPad and would like to use the app please contact me and I will send an invitation so you can set up an account on your home iPad. Multiple profiles can be set up on the app if you have more than one child studying piano. Students play along with the music that is displayed on the screen on their piano or keyboard or the keyboard included in the app. Students can use their piano or keyboard or the keyboard on the app.

There are four main areas students can work from. "The Journey" takes a student from learning middle C songs through early intermediate repertoire. "The Library" has a wide selection of pieces students can sight read and learn. Categories include: Classical and Opera, Kids and Folk music, Christian Contemporary, Holiday, Pop and Rock, and TV and Game Themes. The pieces in the library are graded from Elementary through level 3B which is Mid to Late Intermediate. For most students I like to begin with the easiest level so the student can become accustomed to playing along with the iPad. "Exercises" has a great selection of technical skills and I often assign music from this category. Students can brush up on their rhythm, review 5 finger patterns, or learn 1 and 2 octave scales. "Methods" offers some background tracks for method books such as the Alfred Premier Course. There is a charge to download all background tracks for a book.

Finally, students can find their weekly assignments in the "Home Challenge" section. Often times I assign a scale or 5 finger pattern we are currently studying along with a rhythm exercise and 4 or 5 songs for sight reading or practice. If possible, I would like to see a student achieve 3 stars on each of their assignments before the next lesson. The "Home Challenge" is not a stopping place either, it is my hope that the student enjoys the app and is inspired to sight read and learn more songs on the app. Students should continue to practice their regular assignments as their top priority and supplement daily practice with the Piano Maestro app.

With my students' amazing practice this summer on the Piano Maestro app, I received the Gold Award for excellence in using technology in music lessons from Joy Tunes!  Please let me know if you have any questions about Piano Maestro, I am happy to help.