Writing extra notes for Arrangements
Found in: Arrangements & Variations, Practicing & Playlists
Gabrielle K., Iowa
In the Arrangements 1 program, I have reviewed the material and it says that the content is not to be supplemented with written notes. Is this referring to the types of notes depicted in the reference section of the Foundation levels, or notes we write post-lesson? I do know there is a supplemental arrangements program available to purchase, but I just need further clarification on this one thing.
Robin Keehn, Washington
No supplemental notes (like where to start or what to play). There’s a recording and a document in the teacher training program called Getting Off to a Powerful Start that explains the point of the Arrangements program and why you don’t want to let your students take notes, if that helps.
Gabrielle K., Iowa
I’ve listened to that multiple times. I’m having trouble having my students remember to work on their Comp & Improv, let alone arrangements – not sure if you have any suggestions to working their memory muscles. I feel like that’s the only part where they are treading water.
Ian M., Indiana
I’ve had the same problem and here’s how I dealt with it: I traced the course of the students’ week of practice very carefully with them, and instituted these requirements:
1. We take notes at the end of class. Those notes need to go on the piano at home.
2. When you sit down to practice at home, step one is looking at the notes we took.
3. You may structure your practice in any way you want, as long as you do all the assignments from the notes, and keep your playlist alive.
(I also use the “current projects/playlist maintenance” split for practice time).
This often means that I put a very brief reminder in the notes about a project that is ongoing – sometimes simply copying the same note from the week before – if we haven’t done anything new with it, but it’s something I want them to keep doing.
Also, and easy way to restate the “no notes” rule to students is to say “you may only write what I write”. Goes for parents too.
Gabrielle K., Iowa
I guess I’m still getting “supplemental” and “taking notes” in the wrong context here. When I’ve been using the Arrangements program, I’ll write down “Dreams Arr. 1: Practice” (not formatted exactly like that, but by the writing notes guideline provided online). However, they never have any written, “supplemental” notes for those arrangements. I have also established and given a handout as to how practice should happen at home, and parents know not to add anything to the notes as well – in essence I’ve already implemented all of the above at my studio. Apparently this is just a claiming territory issue.