If any of your New Year's Resolutions involve running check out these informative, inspiring and fascinating books on the subject. All of them are available through the Library.

Haruki Murakami recently created a splash with the publication of his latest book 1Q84. Fans of Murakami's writing, runners, and anyone interested in the workings of this unique author's mind, may enjoy What I talk about when I talk about running: a memoir. In this slim volume Murakami discusses the beginning of his career as an author and the important role distance running plays in his work. The epitaph he suggests for his tombstone - “Haruki Murakami 1949-20** Writer (and Runner) At Least He Never Walked” – is indicative of his dedication to the sport.

Even those who don't aspire to run 50 miles through Mexico's Copper Canyon are likely to be fascinated by Christopher McDougall's Born to run: a hidden tribe, superathletes and the greatest race the world has never seen. Colorful characters, accounts of grueling races and poignant tales of exemplary sportsmanship make this book a thrilling read. McDougall's exploration of barefoot running is also enlightening and is credited for contributing to the current trend.
To learn more about barefoot running consider reading Run Barefoot Run Healthy: less pain more gain for runners over 30 by Ashish Mukharji. Written in a question and answer format, the book provides practical advice for those new to barefoot running.

For those new to running in general the Runner's World Complete Book of Beginning Running is a useful tool. Part one of this book, Why run?, addresses the reasons one might want to take up running. Other chapters focus on nutrition, stretching, weight loss and injury prevention. The chapter on intermediate training provides plans to achieve specific goals. Two training plans are provided, one for those who are already active and another for those who have not exercised for a while.

Runners who are interested in increasing distance and entering races may benefit from the advice found in Marathon and Half Marathon: the beginner's guide. This book contains a detailed 26-week training plan plus lots of great tips for dealing with injuries, setting goals and improving speed.

Tambourine Party

  Group Lessons are around the corner in February. I am having a Tambourine Party for my First Piano Adventures students.

  All the students have played this song and could accompany us as we sing it. So here is the agenda.

Title: Tambourine Party

M.C:Tap, who loves rhythm

Goal: Explore 3/4 and 4/4 Time Signature
          Use rhythm instruments to keep a steady beat
          Review the patterns we have been highlighting
          Let everyone play a piece for each other
          Share cheese sticks bread sticks for a snack

Agenda:
   Sing Tambourine Party with student accompaniment
   Bring out the instrument Box

   Substitute instrument sounds for the words of the instruments within the song
   Assign places on the floor to make a line of music
   Give each student an envelop with paper notes
   You can find these rhythm blocks here.
   Make four measures in 3/4 time then everyone taps that measure with sticks

Do the same with four measures of 4/4 time

Take out the "chunks" of notes we have been reviewing and play "Guess the Pattern"

  (One student plays one of these patterns on the piano and the other students look, listen, and guess.)

Invited: 7 students who are in My First Piano Adventures

It should be fun!!!

One Arrow At a Time

  No lessons again for the third day due to extreme weather. I predict some of us will lose power sometime in the next 24 hours. That acoustic piano may be the only music we hear for a while.

 
      School closures give you some extra time to play your instrument.
     When you find yourself at the piano with your child, you as a parent can see ways they could improve.
   "Suzy, you must sit up straight. And remember to curve your hand, so that the thumb is in position. Now, play it again and even out your rhythm. Oh,oh, you missed a note."
   Too much. Your child can only pay attention to one thing at a time. They will get frustrated and soon your practice relationship is in crisis mode. So, "only shoot one arrow at a time". Take a few minutes and listen, find something that is working well, comment on that and then take aim carefully. Shoot your arrow and keep your eyes on that target.

     If you do not see exactly what direction to give, it is a good idea to buy yourself some time. Go to the thing which you observed and ask to see that again because it was well done. The second time through you may hear some issues resolve themselves. That is your child learning by practice. Be sure to point out the corrections she made so that she hears about how she is learning. Learning to be tactful and patient are the best arrows in your quiver.
   I hope for better weather next week. See you back then.