Ten New Year's Resolutions for the Piano Student

1. I resolve to exercise my fingers every day with scales, arpeggios and various exercises.
2. I resolve to learn a new song every week.
3. I resolve to memorize a new song every month.
4. I resolve to listen to the classical radio station more.
5. I resolve to attend a symphony concert at least once this year.
6. I resolve to read a biography of one famous composer this year.
7. I resolve to practice ten minutes longer each day.
8. I resolve to review all my old recital pieces.
9. I resolve to put piano lessons first and not miss any lessons.
10. I resolve to learn "Happy Birthday" by memory and play it for the next friend who has a birthday.

This month's song is "Happy Birthday." This song is a semordnilap. It can be played forward sounding one way and then sounds like tbe regular tune we know only when played backwards. It will help your sight-reading by playing backwards. It is also a brain exercise. Research has proved that playing backwards stimulates brain cells and is an excellent practice method. If you are right-handed, it is also good for the brain to practice writing your name with your left hand. Playing the piano is a terrific way to us both hands at once.

On page 18 of Celebrate the Piano Book Two the song Yadhtrib Yppah is found. It is our song of the month.

Exercises are found throughout the Celebrate the Piano series, and the Complete Book of Exercises for the Pianist contains 197 pages of great exercises by Hanon, Czerny, Chopin, William Mason, Brahms, and many others. Here is a great Finger Warm Up for every pianist to do.