Do you want your writing to be boring!
No?
I thought not.
These three sensational guidelines are to help you.
Teaching music through playing piano to students of all ages garnered all of the musical knowledge gained in a four year degree. Teaching techniques, learning principles and psychological prowess combined to enable me to give them what they needed.
A few of those years a Junior College Head of English Department needed a writing and speech adjunct. Fortunately, my interview went well.
The position filled the bill for both of us. My master’s degree enabled me to teach at the Junior College level. My English minor and reading certification were all that she needed to see.
I discovered my hidden talent for editing some good and much terrible writing during those semesters.
A line from the 1960’s Broadway musical entered my mind. The English governess role, sung beautifully on Broadway by Julie Andrews. Movie casters awarded that role to a non-singer. Marni Nixon’s voice was dubbed in.
Anna Gordon is hired to be governess/teacher to the children of the king of Siam. This poignant song the governess sings to them begins this way.
“There’s a very ancient saying,
But a true and honest thought.
That if you become a teacher
“By your students you’ll be taught.”
Those gregarious college freshmen taught me more in some ways than I taught them.
Please keep that between us.
Combining music and writing brought me to a place in my life where I want to share the skills and information learned in those educational trenches. These techniques fit very well into the story crafted from a true life adventure.
Lori anticipates her college choice. However, this multi-talented young woman needs a scholarship or a miracle to fund her higher education. Her small town sponsors a contest each year to allow a deserving talented person to fulfill their dreams.
________________
“Time to practice!” Mom’s dulcet voice rang out from the kitchen.
“Really? Already?” Lori smiled resignedly.
She put aside the paintbrush with one final stroke to the landscape she painted to relieve the stress of getting ready for piano competition. She wiped her hands on a rag. Next her brush plopped her into a can of turpentine.
Painting provided a huge source of relief and happiness for the high school senior.
Lori knew that only through playing piano exceptionally well could she hope to compete for the scholarship money. Winning this contest ensured her enrollment in a prestigious music school.
Her excitement grew with each passing hour!
But she had to win first.
With a stoic look on her lovely face, she strolled into the brightly lit kitchen. Lori’s mother stood in front of the kitchen sink peeling potatoes.
“Good morning, dear,” Lori’s mother said. She looked up smiling at her only child. “Is your painting going well?”
“Good morning,” Lori replied pleasantly. She stated the words with all the bravery she could muster. But really didn’t feel.
Yet.
“Yes, Mom, it is. You can look at it when you want. My painting of Grandpa’s farm is almost finished. Tell me what you think. Please be honest. I need some constructive criticism.”
Lori needed to convince her mom she truly wanted to win that money. If her mom knew Lori wanted to win for her and the family. Then everyone would be happy.
She thought of an old adage, “If mama’s happy, everyone’s happy.”
That one could certainly be applied to the situation.
After planting a kiss on her mother’s forehead, Lori headed toward the music room.
Lori’s warm up consisted of:
- Scales,
- Arpeggios,
- Memorized songs from her last recital,
- Sections of the Vivaldi Fantasia learned previously.
Several parts of Fantasia in d minor by Anton Vivaldi Lori found particularly difficult. This practice time she devoted to just those measures.
When she turned to the Vivaldi piece, thoughts of the words her Piano Coach said at her last lesson rumbled through her mind.
“Practice one measure at a time. Play each hand alone first. Pay particular attention to the correct fingering. Then play hands together to help you over the rough spots.”
Lori practiced that section thinking of those words.
Success! Her astonishment urged her forward till she mastered the few measures quickly!
With only a short time left in her practice hour, Lori decided to play the entire piece. After she completed this, she realized there were more measures that needed work.
She made some notes in pencil for the next practice time. The notes in pencil ensured her she could erase easily when she finished with them.
Inspiration struck Lori when she next tackled her writing part of the contest! She would try applying her piano coach’s practice piece of advice to her essay.
- Write in small bursts of remarkable prose!
Writing an essay in tiny bursts of sensational prose happened almost as easily as her piano practice. By writing with small chunks of unique writing her essay soon came alive with excitement!
Lori’s next piano practice time took place the following morning. Starting off the practice session Lori played some scales she knew from memory. Scales bored her as they did most piano students.
She remembered something Texas native Van Cliburn said. Just 23 when he won the First Russian Tchaikovsky Competition said:
“I don’t like to practice, never have. But when I get started at the piano, for the first ten minutes I play scales slowly. I’ve done this all my life. The sound of each tone will generate a response in you. It will give you energy.”
Energy!
“Verve and energy are the exact lifeblood of what I need for this writing piece. I’ll apply Van Cliburn’s scale practicing method to writing and playing scales. Then both practicing scales and writing energetically could help her complete the essay!
- Write energetically with everything you have to give!
Lori knew she learned many practical tips from practicing and playing the piano. Applying those same methods to her writing proved a tremendous benefit!
“Practice the right notes with the correct fingering.” Her piano coach made a point of saying this at almost every lesson.
Every time she learned a new piece of music, she made sure the correct fingers were on each accurate note. Practicing the correct notes in that manner absolutely helps any pianist play with faultless precision.
“By learning wrong notes, my time is absolutely wasted,” Lori thought harshly to herself.
Lori wanted to make the most of every precious minute she had left till the Big Contest.
This strategy could be applied to writing.
- Words, sentences and paragraphs must follow each other smoothly to ensure total meaning.
“Nailed that one,” Lori thought with satisfaction!
Her thoughts and ideas remained among the best in the senior class. She edited the school newspaper. Articles she wrote always got rave reviews. Her English grade stayed a high A.
Words.
Sentences.
Paragraphs.
Her essay began taking shape saying what Lori’s clever mind had to offer. The essay would be good because she applied her practice techniques to it.
Lori heard her Mom call from upstairs,
“Oh, it’s beautiful! My daughter is such a talented painter.
“This looks exactly like dad’s farm! It could almost be a photo!”
Lori smiled with satisfaction. She knew her mom could be prejudiced toward her daughter’s work.
But this time her tone seemed absolutely genuine!
The painting still needed a few finishing touches before she took it to her painting class to critique. That would be the ultimate test for it to be ready for the Big Contest.
“Only two weeks left,” Lori’s thoughts raced!
“Let me think. Now what all is left to do?”
1. “The Vivaldi piece needs more work.”
2. “The painting requires additional brush strokes.”
3. “The essay will be complete with a few thoughts.”
“But I think I’ll be ready.”
“Whew!”
Two weeks flew by.
Lori practiced hours on end. Her playing rivaled only the best.
Her painting class gave a big “thumbs up” to her gorgeous painting.
She actually liked her essay since it took on extra meaning when she added the final perfect words.
Big Contest day dawned with brilliant sunshine.
“That is just what I need for all the positive vibes to fall into place,” Lori mused.
Lori performed Vivaldi’s Fantasia with brilliance for the judges! Months of practicing scales, slowly, methodically had paid off for her!
Practicing one measure one at a time finally perfected it. The speed of the trill and glissando measures she played with perfection.
Lori sounded like she had been born to play piano!
She might have been born to do it. She loved playing piano so much!
Her painting drew excellent reviews from them as well! They assured her it looked exactly like one they remembered seeing in New England.
“We think your essay is ready for publication!” The lead judge said with high praise for her writing!
“Thank you very much,” replied Lori with grace and dignity.
Inside she bubbled with excitement! Could she possibly have won the Big Contest!
And she did.
She won!
Lori won the Big Contest!
The judges glowed as they awarded Lori the Big Contest Scholarship Prize.
The Lead judge spoke,
“The prize includes a full ride to Julliard with piano as your major. Our New York publisher wants to see your writing portfolio as soon as possible. Your painting endeavors will be in private lessons by New York’s finest artists and teachers. A Gallery is waiting to display your farm painting.
Lori’s excitement flew over the moon! She thought to herself,
“A star is born!”
That concludes my story about Lori’s rise to imminent fame. Parts of the story are fiction. It is based on a true event.
I hope you find your writing improved by the three sensational guidelines discussed in the story:
1. Write in small bursts of remarkable prose.
This one may be confrontational to those who think clearly and quickly preferring to write similarly. There are others who want to write more slowly, giving thought to each word, sentence and paragraph. This more ample time allows them to ponder, rewrite, delivering exactly what they want to say.
There are merits to both styles, in fact to all styles of writing.
Whatever you style of writing may be, the next guideline should definitely work for you.
2. Write energetically with everything you have to give.
When you write with all the energy you have to give, the reader senses it. That reader knows you are putting your heart and soul into each word, sentence and paragraph.
Your energy flows through the words. You make the reader dance with joy or cry crocodile tears by reading what you’ve written. That is what you want from your readers.
ACTION!
Take some action:
- Subscribe!
- Comment!
- Buy a product!
- Enroll in My Master Class!
You want your readers to show some emotion:
- Laugh!
- Cry!
- Call a Friend!
- Share!
Then you have proven to yourself and others you have what it takes.
You are serious writer!
3. Words, sentences and paragraph need to follow
each other smoothly to insure total meaning.
Want your words to be smooth?
Say what you mean?
Have total meaning?
Then you need something of value to say. And you need to say it well. Succinctly.
There is nothing new under the sun It has all been said many times before. That doesn’t mean you need to get in a closet, close the door and never come out!
No.
Get out there. Put your spin on it. Let them know exactly what and why you think the way you do.
There may be someone who hasn’t seen it. If you don’t write it, they never will.
That would be tragic!!!
So WRITE!
Be sure your words, sentences and paragraphs follow each other smoothly to insure total meaning!
Author Bio:
Judith Norris writes from her experiences as public school music and reading teacher. Judith and her husband live in Florida with two furry felines. Panama tops their travelling list. Working at home suits them; he trades foreign currencies, she writes and coaches piano students. They are competitive Scrabble players weekly with each other. http://www.pianomusicmagic.com is her piano lesson website and blog. Judigail’s Writing Blog is on Word Press. gail.norris.wordpress.com.
Do you want your writing to be boring!
No?
I thought not.
These three sensational guidelines are to help you.
Teaching music through playing piano to students of all ages garnered all of the musical knowledge gained in a four year degree. Teaching techniques, learning principles and psychological prowess combined to enable me to give them what they needed.
A few of those years a Junior College Head of English Department needed a writing and speech adjunct. Fortunately, my interview went well.
The position filled the bill for both of us. My master’s degree enabled me to teach at the Junior College level. My English minor and reading certification were all that she needed to see.
I discovered my hidden talent for editing some good and much terrible writing during those semesters.
A line from the 1960’s Broadway musical entered my mind. The English governess role, sung beautifully on Broadway by Julie Andrews. Movie casters awarded that role to a non-singer. Marni Nixon’s voice was dubbed in.
Anna Gordon is hired to be governess/teacher to the children of the king of Siam. This poignant song the governess sings to them begins this way.
“There’s a very ancient saying,
But a true and honest thought.
That if you become a teacher
“By your students you’ll be taught.”
Those gregarious college freshmen taught me more in some ways than I taught them.
Please keep that between us.
Combining music and writing brought me to a place in my life where I want to share the skills and information learned in those educational trenches. These techniques fit very well into the story crafted from a true life adventure.
Lori anticipates her college choice. However, this multi-talented young woman needs a scholarship or a miracle to fund her higher education. Her small town sponsors a contest each year to allow a deserving talented person to fulfill their dreams.
________________
“Time to practice!” Mom’s dulcet voice rang out from the kitchen.
“Really? Already?” Lori smiled resignedly.
She put aside the paintbrush with one final stroke to the landscape she painted to relieve the stress of getting ready for piano competition. She wiped her hands on a rag. Next her brush plopped her into a can of turpentine.
Painting provided a huge source of relief and happiness for the high school senior.
Lori knew that only through playing piano exceptionally well could she hope to compete for the scholarship money. Winning this contest ensured her enrollment in a prestigious music school.
Her excitement grew with each passing hour!
But she had to win first.
With a stoic look on her lovely face, she strolled into the brightly lit kitchen. Lori’s mother stood in front of the kitchen sink peeling potatoes.
“Good morning, dear,” Lori’s mother said. She looked up smiling at her only child. “Is your painting going well?”
“Good morning,” Lori replied pleasantly. She stated the words with all the bravery she could muster. But really didn’t feel.
Yet.
“Yes, Mom, it is. You can look at it when you want. My painting of Grandpa’s farm is almost finished. Tell me what you think. Please be honest. I need some constructive criticism.”
Lori needed to convince her mom she truly wanted to win that money. If her mom knew Lori wanted to win for her and the family. Then everyone would be happy.
She thought of an old adage, “If mama’s happy, everyone’s happy.”
That one could certainly be applied to the situation.
After planting a kiss on her mother’s forehead, Lori headed toward the music room.
Lori’s warm up consisted of:
- Scales,
- Arpeggios,
- Memorized songs from her last recital,
- Sections of the Vivaldi Fantasia learned previously.
Several parts of Fantasia in d minor by Anton Vivaldi Lori found particularly difficult. This practice time she devoted to just those measures.
When she turned to the Vivaldi piece, thoughts of the words her Piano Coach said at her last lesson rumbled through her mind.
“Practice one measure at a time. Play each hand alone first. Pay particular attention to the correct fingering. Then play hands together to help you over the rough spots.”
Lori practiced that section thinking of those words.
Success! Her astonishment urged her forward till she mastered the few measures quickly!
With only a short time left in her practice hour, Lori decided to play the entire piece. After she completed this, she realized there were more measures that needed work.
She made some notes in pencil for the next practice time. The notes in pencil ensured her she could erase easily when she finished with them.
Inspiration struck Lori when she next tackled her writing part of the contest! She would try applying her piano coach’s practice piece of advice to her essay.
- Write in small bursts of remarkable prose!
Writing an essay in tiny bursts of sensational prose happened almost as easily as her piano practice. By writing with small chunks of unique writing her essay soon came alive with excitement!
Lori’s next piano practice time took place the following morning. Starting off the practice session Lori played some scales she knew from memory. Scales bored her as they did most piano students.
She remembered something Texas native Van Cliburn said. Just 23 when he won the First Russian Tchaikovsky Competition said:
“I don’t like to practice, never have. But when I get started at the piano, for the first ten minutes I play scales slowly. I’ve done this all my life. The sound of each tone will generate a response in you. It will give you energy.”
Energy!
“Verve and energy are the exact lifeblood of what I need for this writing piece. I’ll apply Van Cliburn’s scale practicing method to writing and playing scales. Then both practicing scales and writing energetically could help her complete the essay!
- Write energetically with everything you have to give!
Lori knew she learned many practical tips from practicing and playing the piano. Applying those same methods to her writing proved a tremendous benefit!
“Practice the right notes with the correct fingering.” Her piano coach made a point of saying this at almost every lesson.
Every time she learned a new piece of music, she made sure the correct fingers were on each accurate note. Practicing the correct notes in that manner absolutely helps any pianist play with faultless precision.
“By learning wrong notes, my time is absolutely wasted,” Lori thought harshly to herself.
Lori wanted to make the most of every precious minute she had left till the Big Contest.
This strategy could be applied to writing.
- Words, sentences and paragraphs must follow each other smoothly to ensure total meaning.
“Nailed that one,” Lori thought with satisfaction!
Her thoughts and ideas remained among the best in the senior class. She edited the school newspaper. Articles she wrote always got rave reviews. Her English grade stayed a high A.
Words.
Sentences.
Paragraphs.
Her essay began taking shape saying what Lori’s clever mind had to offer. The essay would be good because she applied her practice techniques to it.
Lori heard her Mom call from upstairs,
“Oh, it’s beautiful! My daughter is such a talented painter.
“This looks exactly like dad’s farm! It could almost be a photo!”
Lori smiled with satisfaction. She knew her mom could be prejudiced toward her daughter’s work.
But this time her tone seemed absolutely genuine!
The painting still needed a few finishing touches before she took it to her painting class to critique. That would be the ultimate test for it to be ready for the Big Contest.
“Only two weeks left,” Lori’s thoughts raced!
“Let me think. Now what all is left to do?”
1. “The Vivaldi piece needs more work.”
2. “The painting requires additional brush strokes.”
3. “The essay will be complete with a few thoughts.”
“But I think I’ll be ready.”
“Whew!”
Two weeks flew by.
Lori practiced hours on end. Her playing rivaled only the best.
Her painting class gave a big “thumbs up” to her gorgeous painting.
She actually liked her essay since it took on extra meaning when she added the final perfect words.
Big Contest day dawned with brilliant sunshine.
“That is just what I need for all the positive vibes to fall into place,” Lori mused.
Lori performed Vivaldi’s Fantasia with brilliance for the judges! Months of practicing scales, slowly, methodically had paid off for her!
Practicing one measure one at a time finally perfected it. The speed of the trill and glissando measures she played with perfection.
Lori sounded like she had been born to play piano!
She might have been born to do it. She loved playing piano so much!
Her painting drew excellent reviews from them as well! They assured her it looked exactly like one they remembered seeing in New England.
“We think your essay is ready for publication!” The lead judge said with highest praise for her writing!
“Thank you very much,” replied Lori with grace and dignity.
Inside she bubbled with excitement! Could she possibly have won the Big Contest!
And she did.
She won!
Lori won the Big Contest!
The judges glowed as they awarded Lori the Big Contest Scholarship Prize.
The Lead judge spoke,
“The prize includes a full ride to Julliard with piano as your major. Our New York publisher wants to see your writing portfolio as soon as possible. Your painting endeavors will be in private lessons by New York’s finest artists and teachers. A Gallery is waiting to display your farm painting.
Lori’s excitement flew over the moon! She thought to herself,
“A star is born!”
That concludes my story about Lori’s rise to imminent fame. Parts of the story are fiction. It is based on a true event.
I hope you find your writing improved by the three sensational guidelines discussed in the story:
1. Write in small bursts of remarkable prose.
This one may be confrontational to those who think clearly and quickly preferring to write similarly. There are others who want to write more slowly, giving thought to each word, sentence and paragraph. This more ample time allows them to ponder, rewrite, delivering exactly what they want to say.
There are merits to both styles, in fact to all styles of writing.
Whatever you style of writing may be, the next guideline should definitely work for you.
2. Write energetically with everything you have to give.
When you write with all the energy you have to give, the reader senses it. That reader knows you are putting your heart and soul into each word, sentence and paragraph.
Your energy flows through the words. You make the reader dance with joy or cry crocodile tears by reading what you’ve written. That is what you want from your readers.
ACTION!
Take some action:
- Subscribe!
- Comment!
- Buy a product!
- Enroll in My Master Class!
You want your readers to show some emotion:
- Laugh!
- Cry!
- Call a Friend!
- Share!
Then you have proven to yourself and others you have what it takes.
You are serious writer!
3. Words, sentences and paragraph need to follow
each other smoothly to insure total meaning.
Want your words to be smooth?
Say what you mean?
Have total meaning?
Then you need something of value to say. And you need to say it well. Succinctly.
There is nothing new under the sun It has all been said many times before. That doesn’t mean you need to get in a closet, close the door and never come out!
No.
Get out there. Put your spin on it. Let them know exactly what and why you think the way you do.
There may be someone who hasn’t seen it. If you don’t write it, they never will.
That would be tragic!!!
So WRITE!
Be sure your words, sentences and paragraphs follow each other smoothly to insure total meaning!
Author Bio:
Judith Norris writes from her experiences as public school music and reading teacher. Judith and her husband live in Florida with two furry felines. Panama tops their travelling list. Working at home suits them; he trades foreign currencies, she writes and coaches piano students. They are competitive Scrabble players weekly with each other. http://www.pianomusicmagic.com is her piano lesson website and blog. Judigail’s Writing Blog is on Word Press. gail.norris.wordpress.com.
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