Nota Bene Music Studio

Baby Rosalind made her grand entrance on Wednesday, sharing a birthday with Mozart! Mummy and baby are doing great. We’ll see you in the Spring!

I said goodbye to my students this past week, a bittersweet farewell: teaching my amazing students brings me so much joy, but this baby is due next week and I’m feeling it. I’m looking forward to returning to the piano bench in 6-8 weeks, baby in tow.

This may top the John Cage version, particularly if you recall the satirical song’s meaning.

The best one out there

Now that’s dedication

A great list! Success in piano doesn’t happen magically on its own, but it is kind of magical to look back and see how far a student has come with the help of these influences. #pianoteacher #piano #pianolessons #pianostudent #learnpiano #musicisforlife

I’ve become extremely fond of Gregorian Chant in my 30s, so I’m very much looking forward to the debut of this Neumz app!

Oh, how wonderful!

Did you know that, long ago, November 1st and 2nd were days that beggars might go door to door asking for soul cakes in exchange for prayers? They might sing a song as they went a-soalin’, such as this tune you may recognize. Soul cakes were eventually replaced by doughnuts, so if your sweet tooth has more of a pastry craving today, go celebrate an ancient tradition! #musichistory #allhallowsday #halloween

A little musical diversion

It’s just the way it works.

If you can’t read music, don’t worry: musicians everywhere are having fun making recordings of that remarkable rubber stamp. Please enjoy this fine sample!

Sometimes things go so wrong, it’s hard to stop laughing.

Happy Halloween! Are you free for a little music appreciation? Schubert’s Erlkönig (Elf King) is one of my favourite pieces of music. Few other pieces so expertly convey a sense of anxiety and terror, and I believe Schubert was only eighteen when he composed this Lied (song). He set to music a poem by Goethe, who recounted a chilling folk tale about the Elf King, who would steal away childrento death. In this piece, you don’t need to know any German to tell apart the cha...racters: the Narrator who sets the scene, the Father who does not see the Elf King and tries to be reassuring (lower register), the Son who is terrified by the spectre of the Elf King (higher register), and the Elf King’s sickly sweet entreaties to the boy (until they suddenly turn threatening). In the piano part, you can hear the galloping of the horse upon which the Father and Son ride, becoming all the more anxious and urgent towards the end. It is not a happy ending, famously ending with the chilling line, as the horse and music come to a stop: in his arms, the child was dead (das Kind war tot). Terrifying stuff, brilliant music. See more

Not *entirely* true. I’m so busy preparing for this evening with my kids that I’m worried I’ll forget tomorrow! But we are listening to a fabulous spooky music soundtrack. I’ll share a bit about one of my favourite spooky pieces on Facebook shortly. #musichumor #musicjokes #timechange #halloween

Happy first day of Autumn! Heres to a great Fall! #FirstDayofFall #pianoteacher #onlinepianolessons #Nurseryrhymes #preschoolmusic

My Wednesday needed this.

Happy first day of Autumn! Here's to a great Fall! #FirstDayofFall #pianoteacher #onlinepianolessons #Nurseryrhymes #preschoolmusic

Always listen to the backtrack!!

Well, I guess there is more than one way to enjoy a piano??

A beautiful ode to the gift of music and how it enriches our lives tremendously. #music #pianoteacher #whylearnmusic #makemusic

Ill wager youve never heard Carmen like this before!

I have always loved how music has a way of transcending boundaries and drawing all people together. Piano teaching has only heightened my experience of this! I have had the pleasure of teaching students from all sorts of ethnic and religious backgrounds. I have had the honour of teaching students all over the autism spectrum. I have students in my home town, across the country, and even abroad. This year, my studio has grown, and Ive been delighted to welcome adult students ...who find they want to begin or renew a nurturing and fulfilling hobby in piano, a blind student whose musical ability has blown me away, and, of course, Im excited to be developing a mini program for parents and their littlest ones. Music encompasses all ages, all nations, all conditions (did you know there are even choirs for the deaf?). Music is at the heart of our shared humanity, and nothing brings me greater joy than the communion of many in a shared love. I am truly blessed to share this incredible universal language with so many people as my job! Music teachers have the best job ever. #musicteacher #pianoteacher #teachmusic #universallanguage #joyfulliving #bestjobever #onlinepianolessons See more

One disadvantage of being an online teacher is that youre not held accountable for visual organization by the many eyes that come and go from your studio. My print music was severely lacking a system of order since we moved back in February, and recently Id sunk to the depths of having my books spread out in a circle on the floor around the piano. I devoted this afternoon to organizing and LABELING my most used books. I still have a few books to add, but this sight fills me with delight! It should be a lot easier to find what I need when I need it now. Hooray! #piano #onlinepianolessons #pianoteacher #musician

Heads up! Were phasing out the studio phone number! Apparently people only use phone numbers for telemarketing now. You can still reach out to us through Instagram (@notabenemusicstudio), Facebook (/notabenemusicstudio), Twitter (@nbmusicstudio), the website (www.nbmusicstudio.ca), and email (notabenemusicstudio[at]gmail[dot]com). We look forward to hearing from you! #studioupdate #nbmusic #pianolessons #pianolessonsonline

FREE weekly 15-minute online meet-ups coming for the month of October! A drop-in music experience aimed at mamas (or papas) and their little ones 3 and under. Explore the piano together with age appropriate games! No experience necessary! Stay tuned for more details @notabenemusicstudio. #mumsandtots #momsandtots #preschoolmom #preschoolmusic #onlinemusic #onlinemusiclessons

Do as I say, not as I do: never use the end of your piano for drinks. That second bird looks justifiably worried! #needcoffee #pianoteacher #piano #onlinelessons

A beautiful song of blessing. New Zealand, you done good. I really appreciate the inclusion of native instruments and language, and Im impressed with the quality theyve achieved here. A beautiful witness to the harmony that can be made when many come together under one purpose. Make a joyful noise! #blessings2020 #blessingsong #musicunites

Wowee! Were at capacity! Our after school spots have all been filled! If you are looking for spots earlier than 4 pm ET, we still have a couple available. And we are always happy to keep your name on our waiting list in case something opens up. #threemoresleeps ! #rockyouryear #pianostudio #onlinepianostudio #gtamoms

If I ever get the chance to renovate my bathroom, I know what Ill be doing now. #musicroom #pianoroom #renovationproject #housedreams #piano

How do you teach a three-year-old piano? You play! This little one loved making glissandos with her doll, sliding up and down either the black or the white keys. She also loved riding my hand while I played simple tunes like Baa Baa Black Sheep and Mary Had a Little Lamb. She also sang along! We also spent some time making fun musical patterns on the keys. Unfortunately, Im not able to take students in person this year, but there are simple things parents (even with little to no musical background!) can do with their kids to foster a love of the instrument. Would you be interested in learning more? Comment below to let me know if youd like more easy DIY tips for fostering a love of music and piano in your littles! #preschoolmusic #pianoteachingideas #pianoparents #momlife #momsofinstagram #makingmusic

Not a glamour shot, but just wanted to drop in and say how excited I am to be starting this new year!! Im spending my afternoon putting the finishing touches on scheduling and preparation. Lessons launch on MONDAY!! I dont know who is more excited: the teacher or the students? I have heard a lot about the excitement of my students this past week, and that has only increased my own excited anticipation! Only five more sleeps! #musiclessons #musiclessonsforkids #pianoteacher #onlinepianolessons

Practising slowly helps... in moderation. , as we used to say. Sometimes I wonder if Cage actually liked music.

Its true! Well be welcoming our fourth child this winteranother girl! The studio will close for 4-8 weeks but will be open again for the spring!

What happens when you bring together four voices in a stairwell? Magic

Visited my happy place this afternoon, picking up some books in light of some new adult students joining me this year! #musicaddict #pianoteacher #pianoonline #onlinelearning #longandmcquade #sheetmusic

4 and 5 do need a lot of help.

Practise you must!

I cant help it. Ive been a PSL sucker since it first launched... a lifetime ago. And this year pumpkin spice cold brew? Oh my word. So yummy. But you know what else I love about September? I love the start of a new school year and seeing all my students, old and new! A full studio is my happy place. Have you registered for piano lessons yet? There are still a couple spots left! Drop me a line and lets see if we can make some music!

Are you looking for a virtual extracurricular activity? Have you considered online piano lessons? NB Music Studio will be offering online instruction *exclusively* this academic year! No need to worry about masks, viruses, or commuting! The new, updated policy was sent out to the studio email list today and will be posted to our website within a week. If youre not on our email list yet but would like to be, visit our website and click on the link to online p...ortal to subscribe. Youll receive an annual updateunless you register for lessons! Then youll receive all studio updates. Its going to be another great year! Different, with a new normal, but still great! I cant wait to meet with you all online in September! #onlinelessons #onlinepianolessons #onlinepiano #pianolessons #internationalpianolessons #learnpiano #virtuallearning #onlinelearning

Some musical entertainment for your day.

I mean seriously, people.

Pianists have two left hands, so to speak.

Its ironic we usually teach a living language as though it is a dead language.

I had no idea Shostakovich had set Gogols bizarre comedy as an opera. Nor did I ever imagine Id see a troupe of tap dancing noses. If you revel in the absurd, take a look!

A little music history joke for you. (In the Middle Ages, thirds were considered impure intervals and less desirable than perfect fifths and octaves, one reason why Medieval music tends to sound odd to our ears today.)

Ive long wondered how natural our sense of intervals is. This is very interesting.

Especially now my instrument is in tune! #piano #playpiano #pianoteacher