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KT&T stands for "Keyboard Theory and Technic". All students will be mastering the required Keyboard Theory (scales, chords, etc.) as required by the Alabama Music Teachers Association (AMTA) in addition to required technic challenges (“The Basics” Part A and B).
How you master your technic NOW in your early years of study will affect how well you be able to play LATER once you advance. A piano virtuoso is someone who can play the most challenging piano music ever written with ease and brilliance. “The Basics” are the fundamentals of virtuosity.
Virtuosity starts NOW. To be a virtuoso pianist in the FUTURE, you must master “The Basics” NOW. Mastering does not mean watching a video while you daydream. Mastering does not mean playing an etude sloppily with a low wrist or curled fingers. Mastering means practicing correctly, with an engaged brain, ALWAYS observing perfect alignment and form. To master technic, you will need to be your own teacher at home! Fortunately, the etudes are purposefully simple so that you can focus on your form and motions. Memorize them quickly so that you can examine your hands and arms as you play. Consider placing a MIRROR beside the piano so that you can see your hands. Consider VIDEOTAPING yourself as you play the etudes and then studying the video carefully. Aways ask yourself, do your hands, fingers, arms, torso, shoulders etc. look like those in the photos and videos? Does everything feel free and easy? If not, be a better teacher and figure out why.
“No pain, no gain” is a false and dangerous motto. Instead, your motto as a pianist should be “No pain IS your gain”. Don’t compromise or cut corners. Pianists who do not master The Basics in the beginning will ultimately have 2 choices: a) never be able to play the advanced literature without experiencing tension, fatigue, limitation, and possible pain and injury; b) go back to the beginning and start all over again. Instead, be the smart pianist and master The Basics early so that you will eventually be able to play the most challenging and fun piano pieces as fast as you want, as softly or loudly as you want, and getting tired or suffering pain and injury.
KT&T Awards:
Large Trophy (Technic) – Awarded to all students at McLelland Piano Studio who complete and master “The Basics” Part A and Part B.
Small Trophy (Theory) – Additionally, students who master all of their required Keyboard Theory (as specified by AMTA – Alabama Music Teachers Association) plus “The Basics” Part A and B will be awarded a 2nd small trophy.
Extra Large Trophy – This special award is given to students who not only master their required Keyboard Theory but apply what they have learned in The Basics, demonstrating exceptional technic, form, and execution in their scale and chord playing.
AMTA – Additional awards may be earned through the AMTA pre-college auditions. To participate in the April district auditions, students must meet the requirements for both Large and Small Trophies (see above) BY THE END OF MARCH prior to the April auditions. If student receives an “Outstanding” rating (the highest) in both KT&T and Performance at the AMTA District Auditions, and is age 10 and above, student qualifies to proceed onto the state level auditions held in May. If chosen as a State Winner, students will receive an additional trophy from McLelland Piano Studio plus be eligible to participate in the State Winners Recitals held in May and receive an additional award (usually a plaque) from AMTA.
AGE REQUIREMENTS for AMTA Keyboard Theory: The Keyboard Theory requirements are based upon a student’s age on or before September 1 of the current academic year. NOTE: It is possible to adjust the level according to level of advancement and amount of study (i.e. a 10 year old beginner should master 7-8 theory first, or a 7-8 year old who has studied for 3 years might master 9 or 10 year old theory).
How you master your technic NOW in your early years of study will affect how well you be able to play LATER once you advance. A piano virtuoso is someone who can play the most challenging piano music ever written with ease and brilliance. “The Basics” are the fundamentals of virtuosity.
Virtuosity starts NOW. To be a virtuoso pianist in the FUTURE, you must master “The Basics” NOW. Mastering does not mean watching a video while you daydream. Mastering does not mean playing an etude sloppily with a low wrist or curled fingers. Mastering means practicing correctly, with an engaged brain, ALWAYS observing perfect alignment and form. To master technic, you will need to be your own teacher at home! Fortunately, the etudes are purposefully simple so that you can focus on your form and motions. Memorize them quickly so that you can examine your hands and arms as you play. Consider placing a MIRROR beside the piano so that you can see your hands. Consider VIDEOTAPING yourself as you play the etudes and then studying the video carefully. Aways ask yourself, do your hands, fingers, arms, torso, shoulders etc. look like those in the photos and videos? Does everything feel free and easy? If not, be a better teacher and figure out why.
“No pain, no gain” is a false and dangerous motto. Instead, your motto as a pianist should be “No pain IS your gain”. Don’t compromise or cut corners. Pianists who do not master The Basics in the beginning will ultimately have 2 choices: a) never be able to play the advanced literature without experiencing tension, fatigue, limitation, and possible pain and injury; b) go back to the beginning and start all over again. Instead, be the smart pianist and master The Basics early so that you will eventually be able to play the most challenging and fun piano pieces as fast as you want, as softly or loudly as you want, and getting tired or suffering pain and injury.
KT&T Awards:
Large Trophy (Technic) – Awarded to all students at McLelland Piano Studio who complete and master “The Basics” Part A and Part B.
Small Trophy (Theory) – Additionally, students who master all of their required Keyboard Theory (as specified by AMTA – Alabama Music Teachers Association) plus “The Basics” Part A and B will be awarded a 2nd small trophy.
Extra Large Trophy – This special award is given to students who not only master their required Keyboard Theory but apply what they have learned in The Basics, demonstrating exceptional technic, form, and execution in their scale and chord playing.
AMTA – Additional awards may be earned through the AMTA pre-college auditions. To participate in the April district auditions, students must meet the requirements for both Large and Small Trophies (see above) BY THE END OF MARCH prior to the April auditions. If student receives an “Outstanding” rating (the highest) in both KT&T and Performance at the AMTA District Auditions, and is age 10 and above, student qualifies to proceed onto the state level auditions held in May. If chosen as a State Winner, students will receive an additional trophy from McLelland Piano Studio plus be eligible to participate in the State Winners Recitals held in May and receive an additional award (usually a plaque) from AMTA.
AGE REQUIREMENTS for AMTA Keyboard Theory: The Keyboard Theory requirements are based upon a student’s age on or before September 1 of the current academic year. NOTE: It is possible to adjust the level according to level of advancement and amount of study (i.e. a 10 year old beginner should master 7-8 theory first, or a 7-8 year old who has studied for 3 years might master 9 or 10 year old theory).