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Dreamtime

Writer's picture: Diane HidyDiane Hidy
Mar 30, 20201 min read

Updated: Mar 31, 2020



Dreamtime is a piece by my Australian soulmate, Elissa Milne. It's a piece that has always moved me far beyond its two pages. It was beloved by my very first adult student, Barbara, who is now under hospice care. She left me her music, which I've been slowly sorting through. I found her copy of this piece, in a book signed by Elissa. They'd met at my home a few years ago. I opened that copy, full of Barbara's fingerings and comments.


Playing it, I could say all the things I felt about connection, separation, beauty and most of all love.I played it for Barbara. I played it for all of us who are sad and separated and dream of happier times.









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© 2019 by Diane Hidy

You'll wonder how you ever taught without this 32-page book. I made these cards for my students to give them plenty of opportunities to practice all the different skills they were acquiring. This series starts with the simplest possible rhythmic patterns on the Landmark notes Middle C, Bass F and Treble G. Each set becomes incrementally more difficult.

Here are a few of the many different ways to use these cards:

  • Encourage students to write in their own fingering. This paves the way for making true fingering choices later on

  • Circle the thirds before starting to read the flashcards. This helps the student focus on the difference between steps and skips.

  • Help your student write in their own staccatos and slurs. Try them out. Talk to them about why they do or don't like them. 

  • Help the student add dynamics and phrase marks.

  • Print these in their entirety and use them as a book.

  • Print them on heavy paper or card stock and cut them into separate cards. Trying sending home a set with a student and ask them to become proficient with each one. At the next lesson, mix them up and play them in random order. It’s a nice combination of preparation and reading.

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