As we settle into the new millennium we find that adults are living longer. A 1990 U.S. census reported more adults over the age of 60 than ever before. Not surprisingly, a healthy proportion of these vigorous adults, as well as their younger counterparts, are involved in some sort of musical enrichment.
At McLelland Piano, we offer several different lesson formats custom designed to fit your needs and lifestyles. Our adult lessons consist of private instruction with optional music theory computer lab. Additionally, there are optional special events (for adults only!) including musicianship classes, Wine and Cheese Gatherings, Schubertiads and other workshops which afford students opportunities to develop stronger musicianship skills. When there's a demand, our studio also offers many supplemental courses in a small-group format in such areas as Music History or Theory, Organ, Conducting, Pedagogy, Technic.
Most adult piano students of all levels of advancement find that a comfortable and relaxed environment is ideal for lessons. We make a point to treat adults as partners in the learning process. Lessons are a collaborative effort, and we hope that you will share your goals, expectations, comments and concerns.
A large selection of repertoire is available ranging from Classical, jazz, popular, to sacred --- from Chopin, to Bach, to Brubeck, to Blues Improvisation. Again, you are a major decision maker in the choice of repertoire. What we won't include in the repertoire are piano methods designed specifically for younger students with juvenile titles, silly verses, and cartoon illustrations. During the last several years, numerous wonderful methods and collections for the adult beginning pianist have been written, and we take advantage of these exciting publications with more sophisticated music. You won't be expected to play Water Sprites unless you simply can't live without this piece!
In one sense, however, the adult student at our studio is no different from students of other ages in that we strive to maintain high standards and expectations --- developing creative, yet stylistically correct interpretations, developing strong sight reading or music reading skills, developing strong rhythm skills and a working knowledge of music theory, and establishing a solid, healthy technical foundation. .
The Alabama Federation of Music Clubs also offers an Adult Piano Competition and there are other opportunities for concerto work or collaborative performances with other instrumentalists and vocalists. All of these special events are, of course, optional for our adult students. Parents of younger students enrolled in piano (or any instrument) lessons are encouraged to play duets and other ensemble works with their child. It is such a wonderful experience to be able to share in the creative music-making process, not to mention the inspiration and motivation it provides the younger (perhaps older, too?) students!
Which type of program would fit your needs? Scroll down to read more .....
The Adult Beginner
"With growing amounts of leisure time, more an more adults who were unable to study piano as a child are beginning piano study. It is truly never too late to begin study and take advantage of the numerous benefits of keyboard study."
You'll be provided with an informal, relaxed environment in which to begin to learn music in a private lesson format.
Morning, afternoon, and evening lesson times are available.
Benefits of
Keyboard Study
Keyboard lessons are MORE than just learning to read music and playing pieces. Here are some other benefits you receive as an added bonus!
1. Instills a love and appreciation of music. Probably the most lasting value of keyboard study is the love and appreciation of music that is fostered during lessons. The important foundations of developing musical appreciation are laid as you learn about the stylistic characteristics of the different periods of music history, hear and analyze other interpretations and create your own interpretations.
2. Provides emotional release. Everyone has the basic need to express themselves -- young and old. Music is called the universal language because it has no boundaries in expressing all the emotions of life such as joy, sorrow, and excitement. Music helps create an emotional release in both performer and listener. It's no surprise that the field of Music Therapy has grown so rapidly in recent years!
3. Increases Concentration Span. As the 'ole adage states "If you don't use it, you'll lose it." Learning to play a keyboard instrument and read music requires strict attention. Music demands the ability to concentrate and keeps our minds agile! Talk about multi-tasking! Pianists need to be able to apply all the different aspects of piano playing at once:
*to effectively keep a steady beat
*to play the correct notes
*to use the correct fingering
*to monitor correct form and technic
*to pedal properly
*to memorize
*to interpret all the different aspects of dynamics, articulation, phrasing, and more.
4. Instills self-discipline. Did you ever notice in life that you seem to be the most productive when you have the least amount of time? When you have free days, it seems as if the day disappears, and not one thing was accomplished. Music lessons actually help you organize your lifestyle as you set and realize your goals.
5. Develops coordination. Music improves coordination between thought and action. There are 39 muscles located just in the forearm and hand, and at execution rates observed in finished performance of technically advanced instrumental play, most of those muscles are intermittently active many times each second. Piano performance requires mental alertness, accuracy, and good memory. Imagine the thought process required when playing the piano or organ. The eye sees the music and sends a message to the brain, triggering movements of fingers and feet as needed.
6. Instills self-confidence and poise. Keyboard playing gives the student a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. And this is not just something for young children ... adults need this more than ever!
"Refresher Course" for Adult Pianists with previous training.
For those pianists who have yearned to polish-up or continue their musical training, we offer informal private instruction in a supportive environment. These "refresher lessons" help fill in blanks, help to regain previously learned skills, and allow progress at a custom-tailored rate.
In addition to the private lessons, numerous skills courses, information and appreciation courses and lectures, group study and opportunities for social interaction and performance are available upon demand.
Morning, afternoon, and evening lesson times are available.
Adult Beginners in Piano with Previous Musical Training
(Instrumentalists, Vocalists etc.)
Most music educators agree that the piano is indispensable for all musicians. Piano study helps students gain a better understanding of music theory as theoretical concepts are applied to the keyboard. All music majors, as you know, are required to enroll in piano instruction, whether in a group or private format, and pass a "piano proficiency" requirement. Many music majors who have had no previous piano experience find the first piano classes in college quite challenging. H.S. students planning on majoring in music can help to eliminate these frustrations by enrolling in piano instruction prior to your freshman year away at college. Perhaps you'll even be able pass the piano requirement immediately, affording more hours of instruction in your primary instrument. The piano instruction will also help tremendously with freshman theory.
Perhaps you are a vocalist who would like to be able to play your own accompaniments for rehearsal or performance?
The Serious Amateur
or Music Teacher
The "serious amateur" has often studied intensively either in childhood or on a continuing or intermittent basis throughout adult life and has sophisticated musical tastes. For these adults, we offer a place to enjoy music making and socializing with other musicians by way of intensive study or "coaching sessions", lectures and concerts, in-depth seminars, chamber music festivals, master classes, and more.
Advanced pianists and teachers are strongly encouraged to attend the workshops and seminars on the internationally renowned Taubman Technic, and view the video tapes available in the reference/listening lab. Master class opportunities in New York City are available for qualifying and interested students in the Fall and Spring, as well as the Golandsky Piano Institute, July, 2004, at Princeton University, NJ.
Music Teacher
Find solutions to help your students overcome technical limitations and fatigue. Learn the diagnostic tools necessary to teach healthy skills at the piano to students of all levels.
Practicing Professional Pianists:
Perhaps you are seeking ongoing dialogue for further professional growth? We encourage you to discover the Taubman approach to playing and teaching through private lessons, viewing of the Taubman Techniques DVD's prior to/following your lessons, and optional attendance at workshops and masterclasses in Atlanta, New York City and Princeton University, NJ.
Because of Amy McLelland's extensive and ongoing studies in New York City with Edna Golandsky and John Bloomfield, qualified and interested students may participate in several masterclasses and workshops on the very healthy and internationally renowned Taubman Approach to piano playing. Quote from article "Why Piano Students on every level - from amateur to performing artist - need the Taubman Approach":
"Throughout history there have been documented cases of performing artists playing marvelously into old age. Their playing seemed only to mature and get better over time, apparently free of strain or injury, while others such as Robert and Clara Schumann, Chopin, Paderewski, Scriabin, Schnabel, Rachmaninoff, Gould and many more suffered from debilitating injuries."
"We are often in awe when we see and hear pianists perform, only to learn that they are plagued with serious physical problems that necessitate postponing or canceling concerts. The fact is that some breathtaking techniques may come at a high cost. Well-documented research shows that a majority of professional musicians live with some sort of playing-related fatigue or pain. While this is something that was not discussed years ago, today it is not uncommon to read about an artist curtailing or ending a concert career due to tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, dystonia or some other similar problem."
"Most pianists think that these problems are inevitable. However, the Taubman Approach has shown that this is not true. Through working with performing musicians more than fifty years, the Taubman Approach has determined that these unfortunate situations are a result of misusing the body. Through research and investigation this approach has been able to illuminate the complex and mostly invisible movements that result in a virtuoso technique. With this kind of information problems at the instrument could be avoided altogether, or if, at the first sign of trouble, a problem could be corrected, a pianist would never get off track, as is often the case."
"In the course of history, many things in the world have been deemed inexplicable. Yet, through analysis and discovery some of these things can now be explained. Such is the case here. The playing apparatus is governed by very definite laws of motion. When one begins to understand how the body works, how the instrument works and how they interact, a whole new world opens up."
"In spite of the wonderful music top-level artists bring to us, performers have always had concerns about the most difficult passages in the repertoire. Another issue is how to achieve the level of their best playing consistently. There is also the question of how to produce beautiful sounds and shape the phrases. One can only guess what heights these giants might attain if they were free of physical limitations to realize more completely their inner musical visions. By applying the knowledge the Taubman Approach has to offer, artists can clear away the hurdles and blossom to their full potential."
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schedule workshops or casual performance opportunities at the studio for adult students only. Past gatherings have included workshops on piano technic or literature, or the ever popular Wine and Cheese Gatherings. These informal musicales provide a wonderful, supportive atmo- sphere to afford students, spouses
and guests a
chance to visit, talk-shop, share pieces and other tricks of the trade.
