Play Well

Neil is just about ready with the next set of video lessons.

Stay tuned here for more info in the next week or so...

And sign up for the mailing list at:

http://www.pianolessonreviews.com/

Pete

To Anonymous

Hi,

I know of noplace else to buy the program!
I'm really not sure what to tell you.
Do you have a credit card yet? If not,
maybe someone you know has one...use it and
pay them the money, perhaps....

Best regards,

Pete Cullen

Piano teachers count too!!!......piano lessons build character, concentration, self-control, self-esteem....



Title: 10 Reasons to Appreciate Teachers

Author: Susan Dunn, MA Psychology, Emotional Intelligence Coach

Article:
For National Teacher Appreciation Week, and every other week of
the year, here are ten reasons why I appreciate certain teachers
I had.

If you appreciate a teacher, let him or her know!

1. Mr. Thompson, my first-year Latin teacher.

He taught me to question! To use my brain and not allow myself
to be spoon-fed. He told us verbs were conjugated one way on
Monday, and then introduced the other way on Tuesday, saying,
"And now you're saying, 'My teacher has lied to me.' Well, they
do!" It kept me on my toes, so to speak, and brought me into the
real world where the rules don't always apply and tricky things
can happen.

2. Dr. Drake, my third-year Latin teacher.

Taught me how much I respect someone who stands for something
and enforces it. The students had been picking on a girl I'll
call Clara. Dr. Drake sent her from class one day on an errand,
and gave us a lecture about how people were going to be treated
in her classroom. I can still see her pacing the floor, making
her point. Things changed for Clara after that ... and for me.

3. Mrs. English, my high school English teacher.

She cared enough to notice I was goofing off and called me on
it, teaching me to respect myself. She refused to accept the
half-a**** paper I had turned in, saying it was nowhere near
what I was capable of producing, and told me to do it over.

4. Dr. Harriet Sheridan, college professor who taught me
Principles of Teaching.

Dr. Sheridan gave me a role model for how a woman can live a
balanced life. At the time, few women were working outside the
home. She had a Ph.D. and taught full-time at the college, and
also had 2 children. She invited us to her home often enough for
me to see she was excellent at both.

5. Dr. Owen Jenkins, college English professor.

Taught me how to reason. And also that when you have
self-confidence you can be warm and funny. Brilliant, he was
also very funny. He taught the senior Logic Seminar. No quarters!

6. Mrs. Wilson, my fourth grade teacher.

Got me into the creative world. Coming from a household that was
intellectual and didn't encourage creative work, I was a budding
but un-acknowledged artist. Mrs. Wilson put one of my drawings
on the cover of the school newsletter. I was never the same
after that.

7. Miss Adams, my first grade teacher.

She showed me how much I loved to teach. I was assigned to teach
the new girl, Janie Lambert, how to read. I've been teaching
(and loving it) ever since.

8. Mrs. Sledge, my piano teacher.

She taught me discipline. I started, with great excitement at
the age of 6 and learned I could learn something very hard if I
would just stick with it. She taught character along with piano.
I stood up tall when I walked in for my lessons (and when I
walked out)! 9. Mr. Framingham, high school English teacher, who
supervised my student teaching.

He taught me how to really teach. At the local high school, he
taught the honors class and the remedial class, and under his
supervision, I taught both. Anyone can teach the brightest and
the best. Mr. Framingham knew how to teach people who were very
difficult to teach. He told me senior year in high school would
be their last chance for a formal learning experience, and he
wanted to make it happen. Go Mr. Framingham!

10. Dr. Porter, my college Greek and Mythology teacher.

He (and really all the ones I've mentioned) taught me to love
learning. So incredibly passionate about his field, he made
Greek (the language), interesting ... every morning at 8 a.m. He
couldn't wait to begin class. He never wanted to let us go.
"Just one more thing," he would say, his eyes gleaming.

He, and all the other great teachers I've had, lit a fire under
me, igniting a lifetime love of learning. I hope you▓ve had some
too! If so, pass it on.

About the author:
Susan Dunn, MA Psychology, Emotional Intelligence Coach,
http://www.susandunn.cc . Let me teach you emotional
intelligence. Coaching, Internet courses, teleclasses and ebooks
for your personal and professional development.
Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for free ezine.

Thinking of starting piano lessons? Friends tell you to "forget it".....read this article by Leo Quinn Jr. ...and start playing!!!



Title: Forget "Thinking" Outside The Box....GET Outside The Box
Author: Leo J Quinn Jr

Article:
I happened to overhear a conversation the other day between two
men┘

Young man has started learning about real estate investing. He
has read books and attended seminars put on by some gurus who
make more money selling information about real estate investing
than they do investing in real estate BUT at least he is taking
the initiative to learn more. This is more than most people will
do.

Old man owns his home. Young man wants to buy real estate as an
investment┘.apartment buildings, office buildings┘that type
stuff. Old man has o experience in this area. During the
conversation old man says to young man┘"are you doing anymore of
that real estate nonsense?"

By "nonsense" I know old man was referring to attending the "get
rich quick" type seminars and not a condemnation of real estate
investing. BUT it came across as a condemnation of the young
man▓s process of educating himself about something
new...something that could improve his life and the lives of his
family.

Unfortunately, you probably have people like that in your life.
You may BE a person like that in someone else▓s life. People in
your "box" don▓t want you getting out!

You know the type. Negative about any attempt you might make to
improve your life┘to be different┘to stand out┘.to be more
successful than they are.

I heard a great analogy for this by attending a free investment
seminar. I knew this guy would be advocating some risky
financial moves but I figured since I was in the seminar giving
business myself, that I might be able to learn something useful.
I did.

The people you associate with most are probably just like you.
You have similar educational backgrounds, families and incomes..
You live in houses and drive cars of similar value. You attend
the same church┘your kids attend the same schools┘you shop in
the same stores. You get the idea.

One could say you are in the same "box" or rut.

The analogy continues...

Unfortunately, the "instructions" on how to get out of your
"box" are posted on the "outside" of your "box" where you can▓t
read them. You▓ll need the help of someone who has already made
it out, to "read" you the instructions so you can get out too.

It▓s not enough to get that help though. You▓ll probably have to
deal with your "boxmates" who would rather you stick around to
keep them company in their sad little "box."

In listening to the conversation between old man and young man I
immediately flashed on the image of young may starting to climb
out of the box and old man reaching up and grabbing him by the
belt to pull him back in.

Sad but all too common I▓m sure. If any of this sounds familiar
you might have some hard decisions to make.

If completely getting rid of a negative person from your life is
not possible (spouse, relative, employer) then you might have to
clam up about your goals, dreams and desires. Discuss them only
with people who will support you or preferably with people who
have already done what you want to do.

Author Dan Kennedy has coined the phrase "mediocre majority" to
describe most people. This is a group you want to avoid.

So, no matter what you want to accomplish, be it changing your
life to get out of debt┘starting a business┘going back to school
(imagine at your age!)┘investing in real estate┘mystery
shopping┘losing weight┘taking piano lessons or anything else,
simply get started and keep the pie hole shut! (salad hole if
losing weight)

Good luck!



About the author:
Leo J. Quinn, Jr. owner of www.LeoQuinn.com is a financial
educator from the Albany, NY area. For over eight years he has
been helping thousands of people get control of their finances
and get out of debt in a fraction of the normal time. He has a
special offer for readers of this newsletter at
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/adtrack.asp?AdID=132551

Another interesting article....

Title: The Joy of Learning!

Author: Mike Lim

Article:
⌠ Part of what motivates me to write this book is a concern that
we▓ve lost touch in education with the sheer joy of what it
means to learn something new.■ Thomas Armstrong, Author,
Awakening Genius in the Classroom

I think I was around 6 years old, when my mum decided to put me
into Piano class. I am quite sure it was an afterthought because
it was my younger sister who was first put into the class. Till
today, I could still remember, following my mum and sister to
her classes at Yamaha.

Why was I asked to learn the piano with my sister? I guess it
was my demonstration of my musical ability on the piano (which
was bought for my sister to practice). Without any formal music
lessons, I stunned my family by playing tunes from the TV shows
on the piano. And, of course, I disrupted my sister practice
sessions (and maybe, self-confidence, in the process).

My mum, a ⌠talent scout■ of sorts insisted that I should have
formal training to bring out the best in me. Like all parents
would do. So, I began to attend piano lessons each week in a
small cramped room that was only big enough for my piano
teacher, the piano and me. Frankly, I cannot really remember
much of the lessons. But, without a doubt, I could definitely
recall the constant nagging of my mum to practice everyday
pounding in my head. This went on for about 2 years. During
those two years, I did not take any practical exam, as I was
averse to the idea of being graded. Fear of failure, maybe. Soon
after, my dear mum withdrew me from the piano lessons. I guessed
she must have realized that I was not going to amount much since
I had adamantly refused to go for any practical exams.

Was I being a difficult child to my mum who probably had so much
hope in me to be the next Richard Clayderman or even, a Mozart
in the making? How could it be when I had actually passed my
theory exam with flying color (shocking everyone in the
process!)? To top it all, my piano teacher was very pleased with
me and raved to my mum about my prodigious musical talent during
the initial few weeks of piano lessons. But, I just wouldn't go
for any exams and hated the piano lessons as the weeks passed.

Yes, I HATED the whole learning process!

Thinking back, I realized that it was the strict and pressurized
formal music training that killed my interest and eventually,
not wanting to touch a piano since then. Did I resent my mum for
sending me to the piano lessons? Probably not, although I could
still recall the agony whenever I was ⌠coerced■ to practice. I
supposed my mum could have been more observant towards my change
of attitudes before and after the classes. So, mum and dad (yes,
you!), please observe your kid▓s behavior and attitudes when you
send them for enrichment classes or just school, for that
matter.

At the end of the day, it is your child▓s joy of learning that
would sustain his/her interest to excel if he/she chooses to.
Bear in mind that force-feeding would only do more harm than
good. As always, keep a balance in whatever you do for your
child. Try to put yourself in their shoes. The joy of learning
that you imbue in your child would outweigh the anxiety (and
fear!) that you put your child through to excel in a certain
area.

Be mindful and stay balanced!

Reflect upon these Words of Wisdom:

"At times, it is difficult to keep a proper balance in our
lives. But, over time, an improper balance will lead to
problems."

Catherine Pulsifer

"Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to
go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment,
you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions,
goals, and values are in balance."

Brian Tracy

About the author:
Mike Lim is the Managing Director (and Chief Learning Officer)
for Tumble Tots (Singapore and Asia-Pacific). A believer of A
Balanced Childт philosophy, he hopes to inject balance and
wisdom in Tumble Tots▓ variety of preschool educational
programmes.

Rocket Piano

I found a new piano lesson product that I think looks great.....called Rocket Piano...you can look at it at www.rocketpiano.com. I'll be reviewing it soon on www.pianolessonreviews.com.

Here are just two of the testimonials from the site...

"I wanted to learn how to play piano as a harmonic accompaniment to my singing and I am very pleased with my progress thanks to your course. I'm loving playing music that suits the songs I'm writing!"
--

"I was skeptical at first, however your package truly delivers on its promises. And the bonuses were twice as good as I expected, especially Jayde Musica. I can't believe it's so cheap! It's definately the best learn-piano product out there and I'm so glad I found it!"
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Here's another great article by Emily Sigers about piano playing.
To learn where to find online piano lessons, check out www.PianoLessonReviews.com


Title: 12 Reasons You Should Learn to Play the Piano

Author: Emily Sigers

Article:
All right, folks, here you go: My 12 reasons why you should
start learning how to play the piano. Immediately. As in today.
This very minute.

Okay, fine, finish this article first, THEN get started. And
yes, I know that there are more than just 12 reasons to play the
piano. But I happen to like the number 12. :)

1) Everyone should play at least one instrument. I truly believe
that. Every person on Earth should be able to sit at SOME
instrument and be capable of making beautiful music.

2) Playing the piano makes you feel (and look) sophisticated.
Truly. No matter who you are or how many warts you have, you'll
just exude class the second you begin tickling those ivories.

3) Piano playing keeps your brain active. It's very hard for
your brain to rot when you consistently throw it the musical
language to interpret.

4) You won't run out of things to do when you're bored. There's
always a new way to play, always a new approach to playing, and
always, always, ALWAYS a new song to learn. (See number 8.)

5) Family members can live vicariously through you. I'm
semi-serious about that. The reason I began taking piano lessons
(back when I was 10) was because of grandparents who didn't
play, and over the years I've had numerous relatives enjoy
playing through me. (I live to serve.)

6) People will automatically assume you're a genius. Honestly,
I've heard this a lot. People uttering "He/she plays the piano"
in the same tone reserved for "He/she has an IQ of 174." You
just can't help but admire someone playing an instrument.

7) Piano playing is good for your hands. Indeed it is. I
probably have stronger hands/fingers than most people I know.
And have you ever noticed the hands of a pianist? Beautiful,
long, tapered fingers. Chances are that if you've ever admired
someone's hands, they play the piano.

8) Pianists never quit learning. There's absolutely no way to
memorize every musical piece on earth. You could learn 10 new
songs a day for the rest of your life without scratching the
surface of songs out there.

9) Piano playing is FUN. Really. It's one of the funnest things
I do. Think about it, why would so many of us do it if it
weren't a blast?

10) Deep down, everyone wishes they played the piano. Have you
ever read other people's New Year's Resolutions lists? If you
haven't, then you're just not nosy like me. No, seriously, if
you haven't, I'll tell you which wish consistently pops up:
"Learn to play the piano."

11) Piano playing is SATISFYING. It's truly one of the most
satisfying things you can do. (Right after touching your nose
with your tongue. Or so I hear.) There's no feeling like playing
a difficult song and playing it flawlessly. Quite an ego-boost.

12) Everyone loves a musician. 'Nuff said. :)

Visit: The Piano Pages

About the author:
Please visit my website, The Piano Pages for
more articles, free piano lessons, piano sheet music, tips,
products, and lots more. Also, feel free to send me comments,
questions, or hate mail at: emily@thepianopages.com