Back in February I wrote about Notice Happiness Cards in a blog post (you can read here) . In it I shared that I've started ending all my lessons by writing on the back of a card with a small piece of art. Four months later my students now have mini-art galleries filled with positive comments and joy. I've written things like: I love how you connected the melody of Somewhere in My Memory to the Pachelbel chord pattern. (to a 9 yr old) I love being able to talk 2-5-1-4 chord patterns in that...

If you don't know who Priya Parker is, you're missing out. She's the author of "The Art of Gathering." From her website and in her own words: "I’m a facilitator, strategic advisor, author, and life-long curious student. I believe everyone has the ability to gather well. I’m here to help you rethink and reimagine how we spend our time together and infuse it with creativity and meaning." Last week I opened one of her emails which had a audio recording of her latest thoughs. She was talking...

After teaching this piece for a while, I have some observations and strategies. This piece is supposed to be fun. If modifications are needed for a student to be able to play it, go for it! The Moonlight Birthday police won't crash your party. Small hands, don't play the octave, for the bass, play the lower notes, and in the treble, don't play the thumb. For the most part, the chords are diatonic triads related to E major and C sharp minor. Happy Birthday is most commonly played in F because...