I consider myself to be a pretty healthy person. Despite having kids cough, sneeze, snort, and slobber over my piano keys, I rarely get sick.
I say rarely, because I do have an achilles heal… piano recital season!
Piano recitals stress me out. And when I’m stressed out my immune system goes on vacation… leaving me to put on piano recitals in varying states of illness.
I’d like to be able to tell myself to relax… but I can’t. Piano recitals mean too much to the success of a piano studio to simply “relax”!
I believe the mood of people as they leave a piano recital could be directly correlated with the future success of a piano studio; surprise ’em with awesome and you’ll have a waitlist a mile long, bore them to death and you’ll have a studio schedule that looks like swiss cheese.
There are many intricate pieces that make my recitals memorable, but this year I’m adding one new musical experience that will be the talk of every audience member as they’re heading out the door…
Use This For The Ultimate Piano Recital Experience
If nothing else, you want your piano recital to be memorable… in an awesome kind of way! And to be truly memorable you should finish a recital with an amazing performance that your audience will have never before experienced.
And, if you’re a member of PianoBookClub, a truly remarkable way to finish a piano recital this year will be to use this month’s release, Vamp Battles: Where Duets and Duels Collide. Not yet a member of PianoBookClub? Learn more here…
What is a Vamp Battle?…
Imagine… a lone pianist sits on the bench, weaving a melody of intrigue and power. A challenger waits in the wings. The lone pianist begins to vamp on the keys; over and over he challenges his opponent.
The challenge is accepted. His opponent takes over the piano, spinning her own musical story. Then, she too begins to vamp, calling him back to the keys. Back and forth they continue until the music reaches its peak in a full, dramatic duet.
What has the audience just experienced? It’s more than a duel… it’s more than a duet… it’s a Vamp Battle!
Click play to listen to samples of my sister and I engaged in Vamp Battles…
The 7 dramatic duets in Vamp Battles provide the music you need to engage your teens like never before. Use them as teacher/student duets for in-lesson collaboration and enjoyment, or pair up two of your teenage students and take them to the stage for a unique performance that’s sure to bring the house down!
Vamp Battles was October 2015’s Book of the Month from PianoBookClub. To see this month’s book visit PianoBookClub.com.
Amy Comparetto says
I am IN LOVE with the artwork in this book, and so excited to use the music at my big recital in May! The Piano Book Club books have really gotten me thinking about what I could do to make my recitals stand out, and like you suggested, I’m already planning way ahead. My teens will be pumped when they see this music!
I’ve also thought of starting a collaborative piano program, to involve my students with other kids their age and play duets, trios, and quartets. Possibly an opportunity for additional income, and unique music like this will inspire me to get this program started. Thanks so much Andrea!
Andrea says
Hi Amy – so happy to hear it! Can’t wait to see some video from your May recital 🙂 We loved the artwork too – this artist is one of our favourites to work with and we knew that teens would go nuts for it! Thanks for your kind words.. and I LOVE your collaborative piano program idea – what a great opportunity for your students!
natalie whittington says
I second the Vamp Battles. I already have some teens working to “outdo” each other and planning to work it into next recital. I’ve also had success pulling parents in to dust off their High School instruments and write a simple duet part for them to play with their child during recitals. That’s always been a big hit! Plus last recital I did a whole section of Fearless Fortissimo with my husband reading the story in between each piece. The audience loved it!
Andrea says
Hi Natalie – love how you’ve hopped into Vamp Battles right away and happy to hear your teens are enjoying the book. The Fearless Fortissimo recital sounds amazing 🙂 Kudos to you for keeping your recitals fresh and exciting – it really does make a big difference!
Debby Shahan says
Can you buy any of the Vamp Battles pieces stand alone?
Andrea says
Hi Debby – thanks for your interest in the book! As the book is released as a part of PianoBookClub it is available as an entire book only. We work hard to be able to offer books through PianoBookClub each with 7-9 pieces of music, with an unlimited printing license for just $8 total 🙂 Our hope is that piano teachers can build a huge and useful library of supplementary repertoire without breaking the bank. Typically the industry standard for single sheets with a unlimited studio printing license are are between $8-20 each, but for you $8 with PianoBookClub this month you receive 7 duets with unlimited printing. We feel that it is a fantastic value (this particular book is 47 pages long) and hope that it is used for many years in your studio! 🙂
Jeannie says
Been a while since I commented but I still read and enjoy and learn from your suggestions. I have done several Fearless recitals with kids wearing their characters costume. This year I am doing recitals differently. I usually have one big recital per year but after last Christmas — 118 people showed up and 4 hours of set-up and 3 hours of take down I made a decision to only do (6) mini recitals at the different nursing homes this year. Yesterday was my first one and it was great! Kids were more relaxed and 2 of my adults participated. That has not happened in 9 years. I usually don’t adults that want to participate. No refreshments just 7 students with family and nursing home piano. I maintain around 30 students at all times. My next recital is Oct. 29 — football game on the 30th where 9 of my 3 to 10 years old will wear Halloween costumes and play ‘scary songs’. Parents of the advanced students are not crazy about not getting show off their kid to the other students but I have them scheduled — 4 of them — for a Lions Club meeting in January. Lot easier on me, younger students don’t have the pressure on them, we get to perform in front of community leaders.
Juanita says
This is one of my soapbox issues….I have worked at a nursing home and so many people visit at Christmas time, but then not again until the next holiday season. It is such a treat for the residents to have an event during the other months of the year. It is also good for both generations to interact. So, kudos to all those that visit some time other than December!!
Paula says
Fantastic! I have lots of teen students and we will give this a go at my May recital. I always open it with a showy duet.
Brenda McCloud says
As I am getting older it is harder to have one big recital and also the some children tend to get bored at the length. I started last Spring and will have more this January, House Recitals. I group the students as to age and ability. We have a theme and this January it will be a Tea Party. After the exciting recital, the children will decorate their own teacups, parents will join in with the small sandwiches etc. The teens and adults I group together for our Tea Party but we will also play a music game as well. I have found the families get to know each other. I have about 6 students per home along with their families!
Connie says
I like the idea of “dueling piano duets” and wonder if you have anything with C’mas themes?? I’m thinking of Jingle Bells with someone starting a riff, then someone else coming onstage and playing a 2nd part–maybe even a third person appearing and playing an upper motif?
Andrea says
Hi Connie! We do have “Jungle Bells” which is a late elementary duet – not so much a duel but a really fun duet that’s full of fun. If you’re interested email me 🙂
Debbie Federer says
Andrea, Just wanted to say that I love the work you and Trevor are doing. I am a member of Piano Book Club and so look forward to the monthly gifts of music to share with my students.
Andrea says
Thank you Debbie – this really means a lot to us!
Jan says
It is about time for my new book to arrive and I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning when it hits my inbox. I immediately sit down and play through everything and prepare lesson plans for students who are ready to enjoy it. This past month all of my kids and teens did Nuts About Note Reading. For some it was a note review and for others it was sight reading material and a chance to work on something easy to improve technique. For all it was loads of fun. Students came into my studio and tried to find the book so they could see what Sheldon was going to do next to trick his reluctant piano teacher. I had to keep hiding it in different drawers and cabinets and deliberately didn’t give them the whole book at once, finding the suspense to see what happened next was an incentive for practice. Thanks Andrea and Trevor. We love your blog, your music and all you do to help encourage us.
Andrea says
This is wonderful – and hilarious! Thank you Jan – we can’t tell you how much it means for us – I love that you had to hide the book from their eager eyes! Thrilled to provide a “Christmas Morning Experience” for you every month 🙂
Mary Anne says
Just had a brilliant idea based on this post. Some students and i are preparing for a Christmas concert, and i’ve decided to play the 12 days of Christmas in this format, changing keys and players with each verse. going to take some logistics of rewriting, but it should be well worth the fun for us and our audience. Please share and invite your readers and their students to do the same!!
Megan says
That is a fun idea! Thanks for sharing.
Shelley says
Andrea, do you have the other duets recorded? I’d love to share them with my students.
Thank you!
Denise says
Hi, I’m commenting very late, but I would like to get this book. Where can I buy it?
Thanks!
Amanda Shaw says
I would like to buy this book. If you become a member of the book club, do you get past books as well? Otherwise, how can I get a copy of this book?
Andrea says
Hi Amanda – you can collect past books if you are a member, but we re-release just one per month to choose from. However, Vamp Battles was a previous release and if you want it just send me an email info@teachpianotoday.com and I’ll send you the purchase link 🙂