Bastien Piano

Solos with Pedal...Student Pleasers!

Here are a few of my favorites! These pieces work well for anyone...meaning girl or boy, child or adult, or even teenager. They sound good, are easy to learn, play and memorize. All sound harder than they actually are.

• Bells in Milan, sheet music, by Lisa Bastien, Level 2.  Syncopated pedal is used throughout this ABA piece. Patterns and lots of repetition throughout.
• Ice Skating in Rockefeller Center, from Collage of Solos, Book 2, by Lori Bastien. Level 1.This is a broken chord piece with hands crossing over throughout. Also uses pedal, but not syncopated, so can be easily taught to a level 1 student.
• Blue Mood, sheet music, by Jane Smisor Bastien, Level 2. Beautiful melody line, uses syncopated pedal throughout. This is a good piece to use when teaching syncopated pedal for the first time. Left hand is all block chords, so it is easy to teach pedaling here.
• Sea Mist, sheet music, by James W. Bastien, Level 3. Syncopated pedal, with left hand playing a broken chord bass. Uses the highest note on the piano at the end, which all students love playing!

~Lori

 

 

 

 

 

To Our Friends in Japan...

Just want to let all of you know that we have been thinking of you and hope and pray the situation in Japan continues to improve. We wish all of you the very best.

~Jane and Lori

University of Redlands Pedagogy Class Visits the Studio!

 

An exciting two-day session was held in my studio for the pedagogy class from University of Redlands. We enjoyed spending time together as students observed my private and group lessons, and we took a close look at many Bastien piano books, with emphasis on teaching beginners. I wish this class of students great success as they begin their journeys into the world of teaching piano!

~Lori  

 
 
 
 
 
 

Playing Duets

 
A class of 8-year-olds play duets for the first time! We practiced the two parts separately a few times and then had success when playing both parts together. Here is a clip of the kids practicing together. Download 086 They are playing a piece called "Bulldog Blues" by Jane Smisor Bastien from the book Duet Favorites, Level 1.  
 

Happy Valentine's!

 
 

Young Beginners...Sitting at the Piano (sitting is optional)

  
 
  

And one more here: Download 122

 ~Lori

Happy Valentine's Day!

 
 
 
 
I am getting ready to celebrate Valentine's Day with my piano students! I am having a recital and cookie and craft party in a few weeks. Here are some of my favorite  Bastien Valentine's pieces:

• Heart Breaker, sheet music
• Hearts from Heaven, from A Treasury of Solos, Book 2
• Happy Valentine's
• Swan Waltz, from A Treasury of Solos, Book 2

  
 

 
 

 

 

 

Two Brothers! Ages 5 and 6...

 
Here are a few video clips of these boys' lessons. The 5-year old is working on playing in rhythm. The 6-year old is in the very beginning stages of learning to shape a melody line.Download Studentpics2010fall 044 Download Studentpics2010fall 047

~Lori

 

Invention No. 8

Invention No. 8 by Bach is a good place to start when introducing a student to playing a two-part invention for the first time. Here is a clip of a student who was assigned to memorize the themes only to be played at a tempo of 60 to an eighth note. It was a very challenging assignment! She was also assigned to then begin to memorize the piece hands together at the same slow tempo. You will notice that she easily brings out the themes in each hand when she does play hands together after having practiced the themes alone. Download Studentpics2010fall 041  Download Studentpics2010fall 042

~Lori

Update on Beginning Students!

 
 
It has been so exciting to see how quickly these students have progressed since September. I started Christmas carols or Hannukah songs with kids the week before Thanksgiving and then we had last week off. This week's lessons so far have been adorable! Here are a few clips. Download 161 Download 162Download 165

~Lori