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October Newsletter
Champaign School of Music
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| Who's New? | 
Welcome New & Returning Students!
Mina M, Andy A, Meredith J,
Jacob P, Angie R, Michael S, Camille S, Quinn F, Izzy S, Jessie H, Eva P, Dan R, Ana R, Dongil S, Lara S, Fotios V, Katrina O,
Sydney O
Congratulations to Hong Yang for winning the $100 towards Fall Classes!
 | | And the winner of $100 is... |
Hong Yang is enrolled in Beginning Piano
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| Your Teacher's Take |  OW! My Hand Hurts When I Play the Guitar! Part 2
Last month I talked about two of the most common causes of hand pain for guitar players. Here are two more, complete with solutions!
Reason 3. You're playing too much!
This is especially true for adults or even teens who are putting in hours and hours a day. A practice regimen that extensive is great for students who have been taking lessons for a substantial amount of time. However, it's way too much for beginners and I've seen a lot of adults over do it. An hour per day is plenty of practice time for teens and adults, and for young children 15-30 min per day is a good goal to strive for. Also, remember that you don't have to practice seven days a week. It's actually healthy to take one day off!
Reason 4. You're pressing too hard.
Have you ever caught yourself typing on a computer and realized that your shoulders are really tense and raised high? That's because you're typing too hard and you don't even notice. The same thing happens with the guitar (or any instrument). You'll just be playing right along but using 4-5 times the force necessary to make the sound come out.
The solution: When you play, press as light as you can. This seems like a very obvious answer. But it will be a real challenge for you at first to do so consistently. When you play scales, chords or single notes, you must play as light as possible and train your hands to always use light pressure. You will hear a lot of dead buzzing sounds when you do this at first; but in time, you'll get the hang of it.
Reason 5. Your wrists are out of alignment.
If you're bending your wrists too far in either direction, it's going to strain the tendons in your hands and cause hand pain.
The Solution: Be sure to speak with your Champaign School Music teacher and even check out Aaron Shearer's Classic Guitar Technique book if you are having hand pain. His sections on mid-range alignment for the wrists (and other parts of the body) are an outstanding resource that will help you become pain free.
Final Solution: Regardless of what instrument you play, if you have pain of any kind, be sure to talk to your Champaign School of Music teacher. We're here to make your experience pain free and fun!
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| Fall Classes | 
It's not too late to register for Classes. Choose one and start now!
Music Together (Ages 6 mo-5 yrs) - Thurs @ 5:15 or Sat @ 10am
Sing, Dance Drum & Jam with your child in the fun, research based family music program
Piano Prep 1 & 2 (Ages 4-5) - Level 1 is Mon @ 5:15pm. Level 2 is Tues @ 5:15pm
Children sing, dance and play their way towards developing fundamental piano skills!
Song Birds (Ages 5-7) - Mon @ 6:15, Starts Oct 8-Especiallyfor young singers with dynamic activities and familiar songs
Beginning Piano 1 & 2 (Ages 5-7 and 7-9) - Level 1 is Wed @ 5:15pm. Level 2 is Tues @ 6:15pm-Engage in stimulating activities to develop creative piano skills.
Beginning Guitar (Ages 7-12) - Sat @ 12pm
Learn chord progressions and tunes from your favorite music!
Pop Star (Ages 8-12) - Sat @ 1pm
Get ready to move to the top of the charts! For brand new and experienced singers.
Rock Band (Skill Level 1 & Skill Level 2) - Level 1 is Wed @ 6:15pm. Level 2 is Wed @ 7:15pm Are you ready to be a rock star? For guitarist, drummers, bassist, keyboarders and singers who can do one song!
Adult Violin (Complete Beginners) - Tues @ 7:15pm-Start with the basics and learn classical, folk and fiddle music.
Hip Hop Rhythms-Mon @ 7:15pm-A fun way to learn rhythms using instruments, body percussion and vocals.
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| Is Your Teacher Sold Out? - Teachers with Waiting Lists. | 
Is Your Teacher Sold Out?
Teachers with Waiting Lists.
If you want to: add another instrument, add a family member, or change your schedule permanently -
PIANO
Mr Brian: Mondays 1 spot, Tuesdays 3 spots, Wednesdays 4 spots, Saturdays 3 spots
Ms Kira: Mondays-SOLD OUT, Tuesdays-4 spots, Wednesdays-4 spots, Fridays-3 spots, Saturday 2 spots
Ms Holly: Tuesdays - All Times SOLD OUT
Ms Ali: Mondays/Wednesdays - All Times SOLD OUT
GUITAR & ELECTRIC BASS
Mr Bob: Mondays 3 spots, Tuesdays 3 spots, Wednesdays 3 spots, Thursdays 2 spots, Saturdays 2 spots
Mr Luke: Wednesdays 6 spots, Fridays 2 spots, Saturdays 7 spots
VOICE
Ms Kira: Mondays-SOLD OUT, Tuesdays-4 spots, Wednesdays-4 spots, Fridays-3 spots, Saturday 2 spots
DRUMS
Mr Bob: Mondays 3 spots, Tuesdays 3 spots, Wednesdays 3 spots, Thursdays 2 spots, Saturdays 2 spots
Mr Luke: Wednesdays 6 spots, Fridays 2 spots, Saturdays 7 spots
VIOLIN, VIOLA & CELLO
Ms Jenny: Tuesdays 4 spots, Thursdays, 3 spots
Ms Corrin: Mondays 5 spots, Tuesdays 7 spots, Saturdays 3 spots
CLARINET, SAX & FLUTE
Ms Rachel: Thursdays 5 spots, Fridays 6 spots, Saturday 7 spots
TRUMPET Mr DJ : Mondays 2 spots, Wednesdays SOLD OUT, Thursdays 4 spots
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| Student of the Month | 
Congratulations to Ms Katherine
Katherine won our Music Question of the Month Drawing. Here's a little more about her!
What do you like about studying piano at the Champaign School of Music?
The teachers are really nice and you get things quicker than you think. My teacher is Ms. Kira and she's helped me with a lot of things.
What's your daily/weekly practice schedule like?
I practice about 40 minutes throughout the week.
How did you know the answer to our secret question?
My mom likes to help me with a few things, and she helped me figure it out.
What other activities/achievements are you involved in?
I do my piano lessons after school. I really like my music classes at school, I'm learning a lot about playing the ukulele, piano and violin.
What's your favorite song at the moment?
I really like "Beautiful" by One Direction.
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| Teacher of the Month |
Congratulations Mr Luke (Drums & Guitar) - Teacher of the Month!
We interviewed Mr Luke to find out more about him. 
What do you like about teaching at the Champaign School of Music?
Interacting with students of all ages at different points in their musical career is very rewarding. It's something that helps me grow as a musician because I get to help people learn not only things that I remember learning but things that they want to learn as well. It's humbling.
Do you still practice even as a teacher? How often do you practice?
I practice 1-2 hours a day.
What do you enjoy about being a teacher?
Teaching is a big lineage - you get to use all your experiences as a student to help someone that is now your student. You can take all the good attributes from teachers, throw out the bad ones and create your own pedagogy.
What other things beside music do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy researching things especially in political science and athletics. I did research on cage fighting - I like learning about different things that people can do with their body.
What is your favorite type of music? I like fearless music, where the artist doesn't care what you think.
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| Upcoming Events | 
Oct 8 Columbus Day - YES! We are open!
Ms Jenny's Birthday - Thursday, Oct 18
Music Get Togethers
Tues, Oct 23 Students of: Ms Kira, Ms Jenny, Mr Brian
Wed, Oct 24 Students of: Ms Ali, Ms Holly, Mr DJ
Thurs, Oct 25 Students of:Mr Bob, Mr Brian, Ms Corrin, Ms Mallory
Group Make-up Class - Saturday, Oct 27
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 GET
$25.00 |
Refer a Friend and get $25.00 in CASH!
If you refer a friend to CSM and they register for lessons, we will send you a thank you gift of $25 by refunding $25.00 cash to your account electronically. It's EASY to refer. Just have your friend mention your name when they register and we'll take care of the rest! We greatly appreciate your referral!
| | Offer Expires: Oct 30, 2012 |
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