March 2013

Welcome to March! February came and went and I didn't get a newsletter out! Busy, busy, as I'm sure you all are also. My classes finished up composing and the entries have been sent to Music for Young Children head office for evaluation and judging.  Read below on how I was inspired to use the compositions for a simple marketing idea. The next upcoming holiday is St. Patrick's Day.  Here is a little teaching aid I created.  It's super fun and helps students of all levels determine the number of gold coins (or counts) on each flashcard to place in the pot of gold.  I don't use the gold coins that are on the pdf but found some play money at the Dollar Store to use instead.  I'm not sure what I'm doing for Spring Break but am looking forward to getting away.   Somewhere sunny is in the books. Take care all of you out East of BC as you are being blasted by storms and here in the lower mainland we are getting drenched in rain. I'm so looking forward to spring without the showers! Musicallyours, Lois Solo Time Music Games info@solotimemusicgames.com  Solo Time Music Games are designed to instill a life long passion  and understanding of music and its concepts  through a fun hands on experience.

Games of the Month

Don't Put Your Apples - Beginning Enharmonic Note Review Shoot Out! - Whole Tones and Semi-Tones (whole and half steps) Shoot for the Stars - Enharmonic, Diatonic and Chromatic Something for the beginner Catching Critters   Note and term reveiw for students in the MYC program Something for the older theory student  What's that Dot!  Exactly that, students determine the value of the dot for the first version of this game and then determine the bottom number of the Time Signature for another variation of this basketball themed game. Remember order 6 flashcard games or more and postage is FREE!

To Market To Market - Composing Pictures

I've noticed a few teachers who have so brilliantly posted pictures of their students compositions on Facebook.  What a great marketing idea!

 

By posting their Facebook friends will see these wonderful pictures
 and be in super awe of what a great piano teacher you are.

I went with this great idea and made sure to have the titles visible as some of the titles are just so....great and inventive! 
Such as... Rocky's Last Breath! 

 But the marketing side of posting the pictures will only be
successful if they are "liked" "commented"
and or "shared"

within the Facebook community.

We are already surfing so why not help each other out  

with a simple click of the mouse on the "Like" button?

BUT...

 Facebook is an ever changing timeline. 
The picture will soon be at the bottom of the timeline and

gone forever within a few hours (so sad.)

 

(Unless... they are "liked," "shared" or "commented" on for their friends to see or
 the friends have access to the pictures and they have the time to
look through them at a later date... notice I said later.)

  There are other ways to make use of the pictures
through LinkedIn or Twitter or Google+
BUT then again, it's an ever changing timeline (not good.) 

But Pinterest is a whole different story.

 

Here you can create a specific music education board or
a board that advertises your studio (hint hint)
and when you "PIN" interesting things about music or your studio,
people will be looking at your
"board" with lovely pictures and musical ideas!  

Why is Pinterest different?

 Your boards are static and remain unchanged and visible
 for all the world to see... all. the. time!

And better yet, someone just might "REPIN" your picture
and then it almost goes "VIRAL"
as it is  "repinned" for all their followers to see
who might like it and then "repin" it!

It's the pin that keeps on giving!

How awesome is that!

Now marketing on the net isn't easy and it's time consuming but it is free!
If you don't have a Pinterest studio page, it's something to think about.

"Like," "Follow,"

"Share," "Comment," "Pin."

Air Hugs!

Happy middle of January to you! A student of mine told me last week she was only giving me an air hug, rather than the real thing. She explained that she still felt a little sick and wasn't going to touch me but still wanted to give me a hug. What a great idea! I love air hugs, especially when students are not feeling well or are sick. The incidence of flu is at an all time "epidemic" high this year and I felt I had to lay the law down this year. Please read my recommendations in the section below on what I'm asking parents to do this season. I have really enjoyed teaching  this January. The composing season is such a rewarding time in the musical year. Some compositions come with thought and purpose and some come with just a bunch of notes on a page but regardless each composition is a great teaching opportunity, spending a few minutes with each child in class guiding them in their creative process.  During the "Solo Time" with each child I put out a game for the rest of the children to play along with their parents.  The "Measure UP" series are the featured games this month with an awesome deal to get Four games for the price of three! Students and parents have loved the "Composing Spinner", as it guides them through the steps that it takes to complete their composition. Thanks to all who purchased it! My FREE GIFT this month to chase away the January blues is Hot Cross Buns, a solfege activity and Chop Chop, a rhythm activity in 6/8 time. Students particularity loved the "OFF" portion of "Chop Chop"  ostinato. All the best in keeping "flu" free, Musicallyours, Lois Dicknoether Solo Time Music Games info@solotimemusicgames.com  Solo Time Music Games are designed to instill a life long passion  and understanding of music and its concepts  through a fun hands on experience.     Games of the Month The featured games this month are the Measure Up Series. Up to six players can play these fun games and they are designed for four different levels.  Students roll dice and move around the game board collecting different note values to fill up their two measures. The first one to clap and count their two measures correctly wins! Note values vary between games: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 are in 4/4 time and Level 4 is in 6/8 time. Right Now you can Order Three and get the Four FREE! Only until January 31st, 2013. To Market To Market - Air Hugs! Flu Season Back in the day before technology offered so many solutions (not to mention distractions - but that's a different subject) when a child was sick or on vacation I would pop in a cassette tape in the recorder and tape the class  for the family to listen to at home.  It wasn't ideal but it worked.  Flash forward to 2013... I knew there was another use for my iPad (or laptop) in class.  This year I found it. Because this winter's flu is so rampant and so serious, I have asked my students' parents to not bring their children to attend classes if they or their child is sick.   I sent out links to my Google Plus account, Facetime and Skype letting them all know that  they are welcome to join the class through these electronic means if they are sick or on vacation. I also have a bottle of hand sanitizer and wipes readily available for everyone's use and have let them know that if they have sniffles "air hugs" are the best.  My experience with these formats: Google Plus is great for more than one student to attend a class online.    Facetime is the best but it's only good for one student and someone who uses Mac computer products.  Skype is slow and delayed but will do in a pinch.

Happy New Year - 2013

Happy New Year!
I do wish you all the best in all your musical and personal endeavors in the coming year of 2013. Some of you raise families and teach and some go to school, raise a family and teach, or some of you work and teach.  But whatever you do in your lives and busy schedules, I wish you all the best in what ever your pursuit may be.

Thanks to those who write and tell me how much they enjoy the newsletter and ideas.  I really enjoy sharing my little bit of knowledge with you and if what I share can help you out in any way, I am glad for that.

Once again all the best in the coming year 2013!
Have fun composing this season!

Musicallyours,
Lois
  
Composing Spinner

I created a "  Composing Spinner" for my students to use this year as I thought they might be a little tired of the  "Composing Snowman" which they have done for the last couple of years. 

The "Composing Spinner"  follows the same principles and steps as the Composing Snowman. Students rotate the  spinner  around so they can follow the composition guidelines to help them complete their composition.  Students receive a sticker on each number of the spinner (there are 10) when each step is completed.

 
 
Games of the Month

 A few teachers have shared with me that they use
 "Monster Patterns" to help their students compose and
also the rhythm cards from "Rhythm Sports" has been used to help students determine rhythms for their piece.


Also still available are the "Composer Tricks."  I have used these for years to help students understand the tricks composers use to create  their composition and best of all its FREE!

 




To Market To Market

 "Ourbis" is a FREE online advertising website.Their slogan is "Find it all Nearby!"Just type in your postal code and it takes you to the business' in your area.I was pleased to see a few teachers from acrossCanada were already on "Ourbis" when I typed in "music."     This is another great way to list your business and be present in your community. Check out my listing!

Pinterest and Teaching Aids

Pinterest somedays is just a waste of valuable time BUT I do love it! 
So many great ideas and projects to do.
One teaching aid I saw and created was with a paint stick!
You know the kind to stir the paint in the paint can.
I made some circles with critters and the C scale fingering
put on some velcro and voila! A teaching aid!
These items were part of the Pin It to Win It contest that happened last month. Thanks to all who Repined and Liked and Tweeted!

Congrats to Amy for Repining, Liking and Tweeting!
She received 26 pages of teaching aids and printables for her studio.

Games of the Month

Check out these cool games! Bee-for, Bee-After and Bee in the Middle Burger Intervals - Major Minor and Perfect Burger Three's a Triad - Jump Up high Patterns and Note Review Out of Space and Lines - Beginning Intervals What's that Dot! What does that dot mean beside a note! More resources and Free products at  Solo Time Music Games Website

To Market To Market

PicMonkey is a FREE online photo editor.

It is a site where you can design and create collage pictures. 
I really like it as I can create a cover photo or a cover collage to add to
Solo Time Games Facebook page.
It really is quite easy and the other cool thing is that you can also add
 text to your collage and pictures.
Have fun! 

There is a chill in the air and Christmas songs have begun to be practiced. It's hard to believe that the holiday season is only weeks away. I was shopping this week and noticed that Christmas music is already playing in the sound systems at the mall. I'm not sure I'm ready for all the hustle and bustle yet.

A quick reminder:  If you didn't get it last month, the Santa Beard Christmas incentive is still available on my website. My students are quite excited each week to glue cotton puffs to their Santa's beard for every time they practice.  

I love visiting other teachers' studios; I get inspired by their creativity. This summer, I visited LaVonnie Steger's studio in Cloverdale B.C.  She had the 60 Second Club chart on the wall and plays it with a twist that I had never thought of. Read about it below.  

Pin it to Win it Contest

is open until the end of November.

 How do you enter?

It's simple. Just "Repin", "Retweet", "Repost", "Share" or "Like" anything to do with Solo Time Music Games and you could WIN 26 pages of easy to do, quick to print up, play or display MYC-themed activities.
 These digital .pdf format activity pages are geared for ages 3 to 8 and include note naming games,  matching rests and take up only minimal amounts of important class time.  These pages help your students enjoy creating the happy habit of learning music theory!

Keep safe as the roads begin to get slippery with snow and ice. And stay warm!

Lois Dicknoether
Solo Time Music Games
info@solotimemusicgames.com 

Solo Time Music Games

are designed to instill a life long passion 

and understanding of music and its concepts 

through a fun hands on experience.

   

60 Second Club

LaVonnie Steger's 60 Second Club inspired me to do this incentive again.   She does it every week and the whole class participates by naming flashcards. Whenever the class gets to the prize portion on the chart they get one little candy, like a Smartie or a jujube.  Nothing big or fancy is offered in prizes for this activity but it is a lot of fun.  When my students reach the top of the chart I plan to give them bigger prizes. But that's still a secret. I started this game in September and it's now November. It looks like it's going to take us a while to reach the top. Students look forward to the last few minutes in class where they name as many notes (in as loud a voice) as they can in only 60 seconds. This activity has turned out to be the surprise hit of the year! For flashcards I use the giant cards from Wendy at Compose Create. Then I found a great site that had giant Solfege hand signs and put in the ones that we are using in Solfege. Here is a picture of Lavonnie's and the link to print off the one I created.

Circle of 5th's

Circle of 5th's Only $1.99 for tons of learning with this hands on manipulative teaching aid.  FREE when you purchase the Circle of 5th's you will receive the complimentary addition of 7 sharps and 7 flats to complete the Circle of 5th's for your more advanced students. Giant Floor Circle of 5th's Here is a picture I took of my version.  I would like to have used different colours but I have tons of pink card stock to use up!

To Market To Market

You are an expert in your field.

People trust you and they trust their children to you

 because they value your expertise.  

There are also many others in our field of musical instruction.   

On your website, Facebook page, Twitter, and Pinterest accounts,

be sure to give acknowledgement to other people in your field

who can provide valuable knowledge to the families with which you work.  

 We all had to learn from someone else, so

share what others have to offer with your families.
It will reflect well on you and your business when others see
that you value other people in your field.

Incredibox

Incredibox- 
This is SO SO cool!   Try it with your studios they will love to see all the different parts that make up a composition.

November 2012

November Greetings,

I trust you have survived Halloween Week in your studios. I don't teach on Wednesdays so conflict was avoided with the fun of the night and Thursday's class was a "sugar" high day.  I  had planned Halloween activities for these classes  aiming to work with the sugar and go with the flow by amping up the activity.  It was all good.

Getting into November and leading up to Christmas,  I find students need a little bit of incentive to practice. To help you, I've redesigned my Santa Beard, 25 Practice Days incentive to keep your students' motivation high. This resource is "Free" for use with your private and group lessons.

Many have asked when I'm coming out with new games. Well, there are plenty!  I have switched to a digital model for reproducing my games. The benefit to you is two-fold:  You can download and print games and resources whenever you like; and the cost is significantly lower than purchasing and shipping the hard-copy version. At a cost of only .99 to $2.99  you can now print all the copies you want for your students' needs within your own studio. No more waiting for snail-mail!

Out here near the west coast, we've all been thinking of the many of you who are in the east and on the east coast during Hurricane Sandy.

Please take care and be safe during this season of storms. I hope for your sakes and your students' that the wild weather doesn't force the cancellation of too many lessons. And if you have too, try using Google Plus as a way to do a virtual lesson. 

Take Care and All the best,

Lois Dicknoether
Solo Time Music Games
info@solotimemusicgames.com 

Solo Time Music Games

are designed to instill a life long passion 

and understanding of music and its concepts 

through a fun hands on experience.

    (repin any Solo Time Games post on pinterest to receive a FREE printable) 

Game of the Month

The games I've used most this month have been for review for students in higher level classes.  I pop them out before class and use them during solo's.  Critters go to Camp - Note and Critter review Primary Players - Primary Chord review  Pyramid Triads (this is an all time favorite) - Triad inversion recognition.  With this purchase you receive a "Free" digital print out to laminate for students to help them understand how triads are made.   I've laminated these for my studio and each student gets their own to take home and use in practice.  It has really helped them understand how triads are formed. Football Frenzy for Ledger Line review Very Important Numbers -  Bubble Gum - Recognizing Roman Numerals  .99 cents Giant Circle of 5th's - this is becoming one of my all time staples in teaching the Circle of 5th's. The students love being able to see the circle of 5th's on the floor as they create their own in their books.  This also comes with key signatures and relative minors up to 4 sharps and 4 flats. $1.99 Order 6 "Flashcard" games and receive "Free"  Shipping and Handling.

To Market To Market

Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Blogger,
GooglePlus, Tumbler, etc. etc.
These and more names are part of the social media facets of our virtual world.   But they will do us no good if we are not using them
on a regular basis by strategically posting.

I've noticed that many teachers have started new Facebook sites and
they all look wonderful.  Now, with your new site the "call to action" now is two-fold.  One is to be diligent in posting and the second
is to get people to like your site.
It takes a little bit of time to post and keep the page active but people need to be reminded of who you are. 
Is there that important "link" to your web page?

Also at the same time, why not open a Pinterest account
and pin about your product and service?

 Pinterest is the new way to market. 

Facebook is a time line, what you post is going to pass but with Pinterest, your postings are on boards and are always there for people to view and browse through.

Create value for future clients by posting pictures, comments, links and
by dropping little hints about who you are and why you do what you do.  Endorse other teachers and music websites.

You might be avoiding social media because you have enough students for this year. But what about next year?

It is important to keep yourself out there. For example, I received two calls this week as a result of my social media efforts. I ended up referring one student to another teacher and took the other one on as a private student. Social media does work when you make it work for you.

 My suggestion is to choose a couple of sites on which to market yourself
and keep those current and up to date.