Last week, I got in the pool.
On Wednesday, I hopped on a spin bike.
On Thursday, I swam a really great swim.
And it has felt so good to sweat and be tired from a workout, not just sore as I have been lately on my walks. At the same time, my back is sore from swimming and my sit bones are bruised from the spin bike. Hurt so good, right?
At my doctor's appointment, my blood pressure was 105/65---wow, crazy low. Probably the lowest it has been measured at, and it usually have pretty low blood pressure. I slowed my weight gain down, too. Of course, this isn't from the week I have had a membership and started mixing things up. I have been working on my diet for the past month. I was happy with my health at my appointment.
If you are in a workout rut, try mixing things up. You may be surprised at how good it makes you feel.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Memorial Day Weekend
We had a great weekend. It was good to remember those who have passed on, especially those who sacrificed their lives for others. I also love putting out my American flag, and had it out all weekend!
On Saturday, Drew went out for an 8-mile run. We are still looking for a half marathon for him that interests him, is a reasonable price, on a weekend we are in town, and is fairly close to home. It looks like our best best is one at the beginning of August, so he has scaled back his training a bit and building a strong base before he adds on the miles again. Plus, his running buddy hurt his foot during his half marathon, so Drew is less excited about running when there isn't a social aspect. Anyway, on Saturday he logged 8 miles. While he was gone, I took El to gym day care and tried out the weight machines. Since I haven't done them for a long time, I didn't lift too heavy. I think I will try to incorporate the weight machines once a week into my current routine. Our timing for my weight lifting and Drew's run was perfect. We left at the same time and got home around the same time.
Memorial Day was a nice, productive day. The weather was cool. The family headed out to our favorite path where Drew ran 5 miles (his legs really felt it in his last two miles, but he felt like this was a good building run for him) and I walked 2.5 with El. I followed my prenatal stroller pyramid and it felt great to speed walk and break a bit of a sweat. Lately, my walks have been slow, and I really was happy that I felt up to some intervals. Unfortunately, I was really tired "down there " for the rest of the day, but at least I had no problems with my hip and very few round ligament pains!
We also relaxed, washed the cars, had a BBQ with friends---all in all, it was a great, active weekend!
On Saturday, Drew went out for an 8-mile run. We are still looking for a half marathon for him that interests him, is a reasonable price, on a weekend we are in town, and is fairly close to home. It looks like our best best is one at the beginning of August, so he has scaled back his training a bit and building a strong base before he adds on the miles again. Plus, his running buddy hurt his foot during his half marathon, so Drew is less excited about running when there isn't a social aspect. Anyway, on Saturday he logged 8 miles. While he was gone, I took El to gym day care and tried out the weight machines. Since I haven't done them for a long time, I didn't lift too heavy. I think I will try to incorporate the weight machines once a week into my current routine. Our timing for my weight lifting and Drew's run was perfect. We left at the same time and got home around the same time.
Memorial Day was a nice, productive day. The weather was cool. The family headed out to our favorite path where Drew ran 5 miles (his legs really felt it in his last two miles, but he felt like this was a good building run for him) and I walked 2.5 with El. I followed my prenatal stroller pyramid and it felt great to speed walk and break a bit of a sweat. Lately, my walks have been slow, and I really was happy that I felt up to some intervals. Unfortunately, I was really tired "down there " for the rest of the day, but at least I had no problems with my hip and very few round ligament pains!
We also relaxed, washed the cars, had a BBQ with friends---all in all, it was a great, active weekend!
Friday, May 23, 2014
My First-ish Swim
I finally bit the bullet and went to LA Fitness and purchased a membership. I also got the Kids Club daycare thing, so El and I can go during the day. But first and foremost, I shall swim in the mornings before Drew leaves for work. I am really excited to start swimming again. I think it will strengthen my hip and really help with the pain I've been experiencing during this pregnancy.
The night before my early morning swim was rough. I think I was too excited to sleep well. I was just waiting and waiting for my alarm to go off. In the morning, I thought, if I am this excited to go for a swim, I rally should have dived in a whole lot sooner. I got up at 5:30, did my hair in french braids (I couldn't find my swim cap), grabbed an apple and my bag, and headed out. I got into the pool at 6 and swam for 30 minutes.
The swim was really nice and hard. I am out of swimming shape! There are four lanes, at the busiest part of my swim, there were 8 swimmers. I was slow. I need to work on my form. I should get a kick board and maybe some other tools. But I was out there for a half hour! It was nice to feel so light and to float in the water. I love to swim, and even though it isn't the best pool ever, a pool is a pool when you need to swim.
After my swim, I have felt pretty great. I experienced no hip pain or round ligament pain during my swim---hooray! All day, I have felt pretty energetic and happy. I would say this swim has been a good thing.
Basically? I'm excited for my swim on Monday morning! I think I'll wake up a little earlier so I can get home and showered before El wakes up. I am also going to read up on technique this weekend and work on one thing each week, until good form becomes fluid (ha ha). I will also be on the lookout for a new swim cap. Pretty much, I will revel in my post-swim happiness!
The night before my early morning swim was rough. I think I was too excited to sleep well. I was just waiting and waiting for my alarm to go off. In the morning, I thought, if I am this excited to go for a swim, I rally should have dived in a whole lot sooner. I got up at 5:30, did my hair in french braids (I couldn't find my swim cap), grabbed an apple and my bag, and headed out. I got into the pool at 6 and swam for 30 minutes.
The swim was really nice and hard. I am out of swimming shape! There are four lanes, at the busiest part of my swim, there were 8 swimmers. I was slow. I need to work on my form. I should get a kick board and maybe some other tools. But I was out there for a half hour! It was nice to feel so light and to float in the water. I love to swim, and even though it isn't the best pool ever, a pool is a pool when you need to swim.
After my swim, I have felt pretty great. I experienced no hip pain or round ligament pain during my swim---hooray! All day, I have felt pretty energetic and happy. I would say this swim has been a good thing.
Basically? I'm excited for my swim on Monday morning! I think I'll wake up a little earlier so I can get home and showered before El wakes up. I am also going to read up on technique this weekend and work on one thing each week, until good form becomes fluid (ha ha). I will also be on the lookout for a new swim cap. Pretty much, I will revel in my post-swim happiness!
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
A Musical Send-Off
I recently went to Utah for my Grandma's funeral. She was very old and had been sick for a long time. The funeral was a beautiful experience.
At first, I was upset to hear that my cousin's husband had been asked to sing during the service and not one of the grandchildren. I felt a little better to when I learned that my cousin would be playing the piano, and I do know that Dan has a beautiful voice. But still, I wanted to do something for my Grandma.
Then, my mom called me and asked me to put together a group hymn all the grandchildren could sing together. So I set to work. I wanted to find something that we could all just sing the melody for (I wasn't sure of everyone's musical talents), but was a little bit more than straight out of the hymn book. After some searching, I found this arrangement of "Each Life That Touches Ours For Good." I emailed it to my cousins and waited. One cousin contacted me and asked if she could arrange a viola part to go with it. I agreed that it would be nice.
When we rehearsed before the funeral, I was so grateful for the beautiful music and voices of my cousins. The viola obligato was beautiful and really added to the song. It was hard to get through without crying during rehearsal. It was impossible for us to sing with a dry eye during the service. I think most of my cousins, male and female, were crying at one point in the song. My dad said that the song brought many of the other mourners to tears. My aunt said that the grandchildren singing with such love about the blessing Grandma was in our lives was a beautiful testimony to the woman she is.
The words are beautiful and reminds us how those we love touch our lives, and how we in turn influence others. The people who love us and whom we love can remind us of our Heavenly Father's love for each of us.
I know that music can share powerful feelings. I am so grateful that I got to organize this simple song to sing with my cousins as we remembered our grandma.
At first, I was upset to hear that my cousin's husband had been asked to sing during the service and not one of the grandchildren. I felt a little better to when I learned that my cousin would be playing the piano, and I do know that Dan has a beautiful voice. But still, I wanted to do something for my Grandma.
Then, my mom called me and asked me to put together a group hymn all the grandchildren could sing together. So I set to work. I wanted to find something that we could all just sing the melody for (I wasn't sure of everyone's musical talents), but was a little bit more than straight out of the hymn book. After some searching, I found this arrangement of "Each Life That Touches Ours For Good." I emailed it to my cousins and waited. One cousin contacted me and asked if she could arrange a viola part to go with it. I agreed that it would be nice.
When we rehearsed before the funeral, I was so grateful for the beautiful music and voices of my cousins. The viola obligato was beautiful and really added to the song. It was hard to get through without crying during rehearsal. It was impossible for us to sing with a dry eye during the service. I think most of my cousins, male and female, were crying at one point in the song. My dad said that the song brought many of the other mourners to tears. My aunt said that the grandchildren singing with such love about the blessing Grandma was in our lives was a beautiful testimony to the woman she is.
The words are beautiful and reminds us how those we love touch our lives, and how we in turn influence others. The people who love us and whom we love can remind us of our Heavenly Father's love for each of us.
I know that music can share powerful feelings. I am so grateful that I got to organize this simple song to sing with my cousins as we remembered our grandma.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Wow, It Has Been A Year Since...
While walking with my buddy Sarah and our toddler daughters today, I realized something... It has been a year since I started training for the half marathon I ran last September.
Sarah and I were already walking buddies. I had been running 2 or 3 miles a few times each week. Sarah started a half marathon training schedule and suggested that I train for it too. I kept running my short distances and considered her plan. I was not very athletic, did not consider myself a runner, and thought myself incapable of running that sort of distance. Plus, El was only 6 months old and I would have to do most of my training with her in the jogging stroller.
I kept thinking, looking at training plans, reading more about running. I went for a 3-mile run with Sarah, both of us pushing our jogging strollers. And I felt great. I thought I had handled the run better than she had (probably true, as I had been running consistently for longer than she had). That run helped to convince me that I could do it.
So I pulled elements I liked from a few schedules to make my own and started training. And guess what? I did do it. It was hard and I learned a lot and I would change a lot, but that is for a different post.
But it all started a year ago.
Sarah and I were already walking buddies. I had been running 2 or 3 miles a few times each week. Sarah started a half marathon training schedule and suggested that I train for it too. I kept running my short distances and considered her plan. I was not very athletic, did not consider myself a runner, and thought myself incapable of running that sort of distance. Plus, El was only 6 months old and I would have to do most of my training with her in the jogging stroller.
I kept thinking, looking at training plans, reading more about running. I went for a 3-mile run with Sarah, both of us pushing our jogging strollers. And I felt great. I thought I had handled the run better than she had (probably true, as I had been running consistently for longer than she had). That run helped to convince me that I could do it.
So I pulled elements I liked from a few schedules to make my own and started training. And guess what? I did do it. It was hard and I learned a lot and I would change a lot, but that is for a different post.
But it all started a year ago.
Two Weeks of Workouts, May 5-May 18
Monday
2 mile walk
Tuesday
45 minutes strength and core
3 mile walk
Wednesday
30 minutes yoga
2 mile walk
Thursday
30 minutes strength and core
2 mile walk
Friday
Rest
Saturday
15 minutes of yoga
Sunday
Half mile sprint through San Francisco Airport to make a connection
Monday
Rest
Bowling 1.5 hours
Tuesday
2 mile walk
Wednesday
45 minutes yoga
Thursday
3.65 mile walk
Friday
20 minutes pilates
Saturday
~2 miles walking around, standing in line, watching an airshow
Sunday
Rest
2 mile walk
Tuesday
45 minutes strength and core
3 mile walk
Wednesday
30 minutes yoga
2 mile walk
Thursday
30 minutes strength and core
2 mile walk
Friday
Rest
Saturday
15 minutes of yoga
Sunday
Half mile sprint through San Francisco Airport to make a connection
Monday
Rest
Bowling 1.5 hours
Tuesday
2 mile walk
Wednesday
45 minutes yoga
Thursday
3.65 mile walk
Friday
20 minutes pilates
Saturday
~2 miles walking around, standing in line, watching an airshow
Sunday
Rest
Friday, May 16, 2014
That Time I Realized I Know Nothing About Music
My BFF Shannon is also our ward choir director. Even though I hate the time for practice, I love Shannon, so I try to go each week. Church is at 1 and goes until 4, and choir begins at 4:15. Sometimes we do not go if El is super tired or grumpy. But generally we go.
Shannon was studying percussion at BYU before she moved here. She has been a great choir director. She has a good ear and really excellent rhythm. She was focusing on timpani but also loves the gamelan (a Balinese instrument).
A new friend just moved into our ward. Her name is Lindy and she studied vocal performance at BYUI, meaning she is a trained opera singer.
For choir, we are working on "Come thou fount of every blessing," which we will be singing a capella. One day, Shannon brought in a paper with hand signals and "do re mi fa so la ti do" on it and told us we are going to do solfage today. Lindy started laughing. Everyone else stared at her with a blank expression. It is an ear training exercise (which is great for our choir because we are great at going flat) which they did at the beginning of her sight singing class. She had us start at "do" and go up an interval and back to "do". I immediately saw the benefits of it, even though I had never done such a thing nor heard of it beyond The Sound of Music. I thought, "wow, I know nothing about music." In my defense, I did not study music in college, but it was still amazing to realize how little I know.
Another time where I realized I know nothing about music, was when we had dinner with Lindy and her husband and daughter. She wanted to talk music. Ummm, yeah. I have never been to the opera, I have not played in a symphony for two years and can't remember my favorite pieces we played, I have never heard of any of your favorite songs to sing, I have never heard of solfage. Pretty much I know nothing about music.
But I have to amend that. I am a rather musical person. I just never studied it. I am definitely an amateur musician, but I think I do have some talent. I can play any hymn on the piano or organ, I am quite competent and expressive on the cello, I am a second soprano who can switch to alto when needed and not need extra help, and I know basic music theory and history. However, I know very little about music theory, compositional structure, vocal technique, and repertoire.
I would like to learn more about music---who knew there was so much to know until you "talk music" with musicians!
Shannon was studying percussion at BYU before she moved here. She has been a great choir director. She has a good ear and really excellent rhythm. She was focusing on timpani but also loves the gamelan (a Balinese instrument).
A new friend just moved into our ward. Her name is Lindy and she studied vocal performance at BYUI, meaning she is a trained opera singer.
For choir, we are working on "Come thou fount of every blessing," which we will be singing a capella. One day, Shannon brought in a paper with hand signals and "do re mi fa so la ti do" on it and told us we are going to do solfage today. Lindy started laughing. Everyone else stared at her with a blank expression. It is an ear training exercise (which is great for our choir because we are great at going flat) which they did at the beginning of her sight singing class. She had us start at "do" and go up an interval and back to "do". I immediately saw the benefits of it, even though I had never done such a thing nor heard of it beyond The Sound of Music. I thought, "wow, I know nothing about music." In my defense, I did not study music in college, but it was still amazing to realize how little I know.
Another time where I realized I know nothing about music, was when we had dinner with Lindy and her husband and daughter. She wanted to talk music. Ummm, yeah. I have never been to the opera, I have not played in a symphony for two years and can't remember my favorite pieces we played, I have never heard of any of your favorite songs to sing, I have never heard of solfage. Pretty much I know nothing about music.
But I have to amend that. I am a rather musical person. I just never studied it. I am definitely an amateur musician, but I think I do have some talent. I can play any hymn on the piano or organ, I am quite competent and expressive on the cello, I am a second soprano who can switch to alto when needed and not need extra help, and I know basic music theory and history. However, I know very little about music theory, compositional structure, vocal technique, and repertoire.
I would like to learn more about music---who knew there was so much to know until you "talk music" with musicians!
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Home Again, Bowling, Yoga, and Wishing
I am home and recovering from a quick trip to Utah, mostly the flights. It was fun to ride in a redesigned Boeing 737. I loved the comfy seats and blue lights and sleek interior. Style sells and I would love to fly on one again soon! Since we were not gone for too long, the recovery from the trip hasn't been too bad. I am mostly exhausted from something fun I did after I got home.
Bowling! I have not been bowling for a long time. I went for a late-night birthday party on Monday night. I had a lot of fun and did not do too horribly for me. I played three games, got four strikes total (at least one in each game!), and scored 90, 99, 95. Not awesome scores but not bad for me and not bad for a pregnant lady! I really would have liked to bowl with a heavier ball, but played it safe by alternating between 11 pounds and 10 pounds. By the last game, I was ready to be done. My back was very tired and sore. I had a great time...
BUT----
Since then, I have really struggled to get back on my feet. I stayed up late bowling, didn't sleep well on our trip, and have been sleeping like the dead each night since. Unfortunately I have not gotten up at 5:30 to workout because I have been so tired. And, my pelvic floor has been really tired, like muscle soreness tired. It is crazy. My back is tired, but nothing is new there. My final complaint since bowling is that my right hip pain has gotten worse. I have really tried to take it easy, but it doesn't seem to help. Sometimes I can barely walk. This is a problem because I love to walk and I spend much of my day chasing an excited toddler. I guess I'll have to do some searching about hip pain on the internet (the source of all wisdom) and see what I can come up with. So far, I have only thought of yoga, rolling my butt and thighs, and hip strengthening exercises. I will share what else I come up with in a later post.
This morning, I was able to start off with some yoga. I began with a 15 minute warmup of light stretches, cat/cow, hip rolls, and some sun salutations. That felt nice but then I joined Drew for breakfast. After El woke up, I wanted to get in a little more yoga and actually practiced for a half hour. The cutest moment was when I was in chair with my arms overhead and El mimicked me. Beyond that, she was very interested in touching my feet, kissing my legs, climbing under me, and knocking over the foam roller. Pretty much everything but playing with her toys. But at least I got in some good yoga time. I focused on leg strength and stretching, so a lot of chair, balances, and warrior type things. I felt really good, but my hip still hurt.
I am trying to stay positive. I am growing a baby and chasing a toddler. That is enough to wear anyone out. I try's to do the things I enjoy. The problem is that sometimes our body and our minds have different abilities at the time. If I could have my wishes come true right now, I would be...
Bowling! I have not been bowling for a long time. I went for a late-night birthday party on Monday night. I had a lot of fun and did not do too horribly for me. I played three games, got four strikes total (at least one in each game!), and scored 90, 99, 95. Not awesome scores but not bad for me and not bad for a pregnant lady! I really would have liked to bowl with a heavier ball, but played it safe by alternating between 11 pounds and 10 pounds. By the last game, I was ready to be done. My back was very tired and sore. I had a great time...
BUT----
Since then, I have really struggled to get back on my feet. I stayed up late bowling, didn't sleep well on our trip, and have been sleeping like the dead each night since. Unfortunately I have not gotten up at 5:30 to workout because I have been so tired. And, my pelvic floor has been really tired, like muscle soreness tired. It is crazy. My back is tired, but nothing is new there. My final complaint since bowling is that my right hip pain has gotten worse. I have really tried to take it easy, but it doesn't seem to help. Sometimes I can barely walk. This is a problem because I love to walk and I spend much of my day chasing an excited toddler. I guess I'll have to do some searching about hip pain on the internet (the source of all wisdom) and see what I can come up with. So far, I have only thought of yoga, rolling my butt and thighs, and hip strengthening exercises. I will share what else I come up with in a later post.
This morning, I was able to start off with some yoga. I began with a 15 minute warmup of light stretches, cat/cow, hip rolls, and some sun salutations. That felt nice but then I joined Drew for breakfast. After El woke up, I wanted to get in a little more yoga and actually practiced for a half hour. The cutest moment was when I was in chair with my arms overhead and El mimicked me. Beyond that, she was very interested in touching my feet, kissing my legs, climbing under me, and knocking over the foam roller. Pretty much everything but playing with her toys. But at least I got in some good yoga time. I focused on leg strength and stretching, so a lot of chair, balances, and warrior type things. I felt really good, but my hip still hurt.
I am trying to stay positive. I am growing a baby and chasing a toddler. That is enough to wear anyone out. I try's to do the things I enjoy. The problem is that sometimes our body and our minds have different abilities at the time. If I could have my wishes come true right now, I would be...
- Running several times a week. I am really craving that tired, strong feeling in my legs. I would be training for a race and working on getting faster.
- At Disneyland. It seems everyone is going right now except for me.
- Swimming three items a week and learning about open water swimming at a local lake. I still haven't gotten a gym membership (blah) and therefore haven't swam yet. I know this would probably be the best thing for me to do for my hip.
- Feeling proud of my veggie garden. Right now it is pretty darn pathetic.
- On top of laundry and housework. I wish it would get done and stay done.
So I am feeling a bit down right now. This hip thing is lame and makes me want to be out running or swimming even more than I wanted to be out there last week. It also makes me want to just lay on my bed all day, but it doesn't even feel fully well when I do that. Only three more months! I can make it! The finish line is in sight!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Yoga Jungle Gym
I have been trying to take things easier, and so far I have had less pain. One thing I usually do is wake up at 5:30 to exercise (if I went to bed before 10:30, this wouldn't be a challenge). Lately, I still set my alarm, but if it is too hard to get up, I wait until 6. Today I slept in a bit and did not get a chance to exercise before El woke up at 7 (I chatted with the husband and then did some cleaning). Yoga or pilates was on the agenda for today, so I rolled put my mat, shut doors I didn't want El to wander into, and pulled out the baby Legos.
I got to practice for about 10 minutes in peace. El was in her playroom, playing with her kitties and climbing the LoveSac. Then she came to find me. And saw that I was doing something cool. She grabbed some of her Legos and stacked them. The perfect place for them was on my pink mat while I rolled my hips and went through a few sun salutations. Not in the way. And the next place to build a tower was under my legs while doing a warrior series. And then, since I was only planning on about 30 minutes of light yoga, tickling my toes and climbing on me during savasana was also ideal for El.
I was actually really happy with how well she did while I practiced. She wasn't too in my way and didn't want me to play with her. El just wanted to be there with me. This gives me hope. Maybe I'll be able to exercise when she's awake after the new baby comes!
I got to practice for about 10 minutes in peace. El was in her playroom, playing with her kitties and climbing the LoveSac. Then she came to find me. And saw that I was doing something cool. She grabbed some of her Legos and stacked them. The perfect place for them was on my pink mat while I rolled my hips and went through a few sun salutations. Not in the way. And the next place to build a tower was under my legs while doing a warrior series. And then, since I was only planning on about 30 minutes of light yoga, tickling my toes and climbing on me during savasana was also ideal for El.
I was actually really happy with how well she did while I practiced. She wasn't too in my way and didn't want me to play with her. El just wanted to be there with me. This gives me hope. Maybe I'll be able to exercise when she's awake after the new baby comes!
Monday, May 5, 2014
Weeks of Workouts, April 21-May 4
Monday
2 mile walk
Tuesday
45 minutes strength and core
3.6 mile walk
Wednesday
Unwanted rest day
Thursday
30 minutes yoga
2.3 mile walk
30 minute parent/tot swim lesson
Friday
45 minutes strength and core
2 mile walk
Saturday
2 mile walk
Sunday
Rest
Monday
20 minutes pilates
2 mile walk
Tuesday
2 mile walk
Wednesday
45 minutes strength and core
3 mile walk
Thursday
2 mile walk
30 minute parent/tot swim lesson
Friday
Walking around the zoo
Saturday
45 minutes strength and core
Sunday
Rest
2 mile walk
Tuesday
45 minutes strength and core
3.6 mile walk
Wednesday
Unwanted rest day
Thursday
30 minutes yoga
2.3 mile walk
30 minute parent/tot swim lesson
Friday
45 minutes strength and core
2 mile walk
Saturday
2 mile walk
Sunday
Rest
Monday
20 minutes pilates
2 mile walk
Tuesday
2 mile walk
Wednesday
45 minutes strength and core
3 mile walk
Thursday
2 mile walk
30 minute parent/tot swim lesson
Friday
Walking around the zoo
Saturday
45 minutes strength and core
Sunday
Rest
Changed Plans...Again
This weekend my lovely grandma passed away. I'm really ok with it. She had a stroke several years ago and hasn't been able to speak for 6 or 7 years. Since then, she's been sick, had heart problems, multiple strokes, and kind of just withered away. And since moving to Washington two years ago, I have rarely seen her. I am relieved that her suffering is over and am glad I can remember her as she was. I love my grandma, and my other grandparents, but when you've lived a long, full life and know you'll see each other in the next life, death is not too sad a thing.
Which moves us to the changed plans. This weekend was going to be a busy one. Drew was going to run his first half marathon. Our dear barbecue fiend friend is moving to a new house. I was supposed to play the organ. I wanted to go to the Ensign Symphony concert (and now am glad I didn't audition for this concert). Instead we will be flying Utah for a funeral. I'm looking forward to visiting with family and remembering my grandma. Good thing our plans are changeable!
Which moves us to the changed plans. This weekend was going to be a busy one. Drew was going to run his first half marathon. Our dear barbecue fiend friend is moving to a new house. I was supposed to play the organ. I wanted to go to the Ensign Symphony concert (and now am glad I didn't audition for this concert). Instead we will be flying Utah for a funeral. I'm looking forward to visiting with family and remembering my grandma. Good thing our plans are changeable!
Friday, May 2, 2014
Teaching Cello Lessons: The First Month
I have now been teaching cello to my student for a month. I thought it would be nice to look back on some of the challenges I've run into, the things I've learned, and what has been pleasantly nice about teaching cello lessons.
I didn't have a lot of time to prepare for lessons before our first day. I told his mom to buy the Suzuki Cello Book 1 (I'm not a Suzuki Method teacher, so I will use it more as a performance book) and I would look for a method book for the next week. That first lesson, without a method book, was challenging. It has been 15 years (yikes!) since I started learning cello, so it is hard to remember what we did. I found some helpful action studies that I assigned to him, taught him the strings, proper sitting position, and just had him play around on the cello. After that lesson, I went to a music store and hunted for a method book. I found several that I had used in elementary, junior high, and high school. Looking through their book 1s, I did not like them. I finally decided on one I had never used, the New Directions for Strings series. We'll see how it goes. It is a learning process for me, too. I know this method book and the others I looked at (All for Strings, Essential Elements, etc.) are designed for a classroom setting where all string players are learning together. However, I do think it is helpful to have an order to learn in, especially when I'm a new teacher.
I've learned that parents seem to overstate their child's ability. I was told that he read music a bit because of some piano lessons. He pretty much does not read music, so that's something else I have to teach him and try to figure out how to do it. I don't remember learning to read music, as I was 6 when I started piano lessons. I've done some reading and I think I will make a bass clef using vinyl and a cookie sheet and use magnets as notes and use that to test him. Way more fun than flash cards, right? But that's testing, not teaching. There's always the pnuemonic devices (Good Boys Do Fine Always for the lines and All Cows Eat Grass for the spaces in bass clef). I would also like for him to make some of his own compositions. However, it is something that just needs to be memorized and internalized. I think note fluency is very important; maybe I'm old school.
Another challenge is keeping the lessons interesting. Just sitting there and going through the book is pretty boring. During the month of May, I'm going to try some more kinesthetic activities. I know that some students learn better visually, aurally, through reading, or active lessons. The cello covers most of those categories, but instead of focusing on a conglomerate of all that you have to do, breaking it down into smaller pieces will probably be helpful. Note reading can be boring, so I want to get his hands involved. Working on your sitting and hand position is hard to comprehend in yourself, maybe looking at some images will help him make changes in himself. Playing the cello is great, but incorporating some singing will connect with a verbal part of his brain. I will update you on things that I do to keep our lessons interesting.
A pleasant surprise is that he is quite musical and wants to learn the cello. He actually practices and I can tell! This is so much nicer than my student a few years ago, who never practiced and wasn't musical. I feel a lot better about taking his parents' money when he practices. I don't think that you have to be musically talented to learn an instrument. But you do have to practice. If you are naturally talented and don't practice, what is the point of your ability? I'm pretty positive that Mozart, Beethoven, Yo Yo Ma, and thousands of other talented musicians practice(d) a lot.
Another nice thing is how it has driven me to practice my instruments more often. It feels good for me to pull out my cello and play along with him, even if it's just tuning my instrument and playing DDDD AAAA DDDD AAAA or DDDD EEEE F#F#F#F# GGGG. I want to sit down at my piano and play for a half hour and actually drill songs. I am more likely to sing in the shower, and with better technique. Teaching is making me into a more consistent musician.
I am enjoying teaching lessons. I would like to expand my studio, maybe after new baby comes in August. I would love more cello students and I wouldn't mind some piano students. A challenge with expanding the teaching studio is what to do with my own children. My mom taught piano lessons all during my growing up years, and we pretty much had to entertain ourselves while she taught. El needs to get better at entertaining herself. I've also thought about getting involved in Kindermusik or something similar or my own small music preschool classes. We don't need the money, but I feel like it is giving me an outlet besides cleaning, changing diapers, and reading. I will, of course, keep you updated on where I go with this.
I didn't have a lot of time to prepare for lessons before our first day. I told his mom to buy the Suzuki Cello Book 1 (I'm not a Suzuki Method teacher, so I will use it more as a performance book) and I would look for a method book for the next week. That first lesson, without a method book, was challenging. It has been 15 years (yikes!) since I started learning cello, so it is hard to remember what we did. I found some helpful action studies that I assigned to him, taught him the strings, proper sitting position, and just had him play around on the cello. After that lesson, I went to a music store and hunted for a method book. I found several that I had used in elementary, junior high, and high school. Looking through their book 1s, I did not like them. I finally decided on one I had never used, the New Directions for Strings series. We'll see how it goes. It is a learning process for me, too. I know this method book and the others I looked at (All for Strings, Essential Elements, etc.) are designed for a classroom setting where all string players are learning together. However, I do think it is helpful to have an order to learn in, especially when I'm a new teacher.
I've learned that parents seem to overstate their child's ability. I was told that he read music a bit because of some piano lessons. He pretty much does not read music, so that's something else I have to teach him and try to figure out how to do it. I don't remember learning to read music, as I was 6 when I started piano lessons. I've done some reading and I think I will make a bass clef using vinyl and a cookie sheet and use magnets as notes and use that to test him. Way more fun than flash cards, right? But that's testing, not teaching. There's always the pnuemonic devices (Good Boys Do Fine Always for the lines and All Cows Eat Grass for the spaces in bass clef). I would also like for him to make some of his own compositions. However, it is something that just needs to be memorized and internalized. I think note fluency is very important; maybe I'm old school.
Another challenge is keeping the lessons interesting. Just sitting there and going through the book is pretty boring. During the month of May, I'm going to try some more kinesthetic activities. I know that some students learn better visually, aurally, through reading, or active lessons. The cello covers most of those categories, but instead of focusing on a conglomerate of all that you have to do, breaking it down into smaller pieces will probably be helpful. Note reading can be boring, so I want to get his hands involved. Working on your sitting and hand position is hard to comprehend in yourself, maybe looking at some images will help him make changes in himself. Playing the cello is great, but incorporating some singing will connect with a verbal part of his brain. I will update you on things that I do to keep our lessons interesting.
A pleasant surprise is that he is quite musical and wants to learn the cello. He actually practices and I can tell! This is so much nicer than my student a few years ago, who never practiced and wasn't musical. I feel a lot better about taking his parents' money when he practices. I don't think that you have to be musically talented to learn an instrument. But you do have to practice. If you are naturally talented and don't practice, what is the point of your ability? I'm pretty positive that Mozart, Beethoven, Yo Yo Ma, and thousands of other talented musicians practice(d) a lot.
Another nice thing is how it has driven me to practice my instruments more often. It feels good for me to pull out my cello and play along with him, even if it's just tuning my instrument and playing DDDD AAAA DDDD AAAA or DDDD EEEE F#F#F#F# GGGG. I want to sit down at my piano and play for a half hour and actually drill songs. I am more likely to sing in the shower, and with better technique. Teaching is making me into a more consistent musician.
I am enjoying teaching lessons. I would like to expand my studio, maybe after new baby comes in August. I would love more cello students and I wouldn't mind some piano students. A challenge with expanding the teaching studio is what to do with my own children. My mom taught piano lessons all during my growing up years, and we pretty much had to entertain ourselves while she taught. El needs to get better at entertaining herself. I've also thought about getting involved in Kindermusik or something similar or my own small music preschool classes. We don't need the money, but I feel like it is giving me an outlet besides cleaning, changing diapers, and reading. I will, of course, keep you updated on where I go with this.
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