Lesson 5 (12/31/14)

Keep practicing "I am a Child of God"- remember to practice playing the whole melody with your right hand and then with your left hand. Play the songs from your lesson book, too. I suggest playing each song 3-4 times per day.

Finger Numbers
Try playing "Up and Down the Escalator" once or twice each day.

RIGHT HAND

Remember these tips from "Let's Play Music":

* The fingers should be curved over the notes, as if holding a small ball or apple – difficult at first, as weaker fingers will be harder to control.

* Make sure each note is released as you play the next (at first you might hold two or three notes down because your fingers are weak, but just keep trying!)

* Try not to let the hand collapse downwards and rest on the keys. (again, this is tricky, so just keep trying! The more you do it the easier it gets!)

*This can be practiced anywhere, you don’t need to be at the piano, you can practise on your leg, in the car, or at the table and you’ll find it easy in no time!

* When it is getting easier, try balancing a penny on the back of the hand, and play it without it sliding off!  A little competition always helps!

* Once you have mastered each hand separately, try both hands together, both 1s starting on middle C together, then playing both 2s-3s-4s-5s and back again. 

Source

Finger Strengthening
Then use your silly phrase (I like sticky candy floss / I like chewy chocolate bars / I like ice cream everyday / etc. -- just make sure the phrase has 7 syllables) and try it again with the 2 finger repeating pattern:

Source


Have fun, and Happy New Year!

Lesson 4 (12/24)

This week we are focusing on playing the melody of "I am a Child of God" using either the right hand or the left hand.

Here is an updated sheet with the finger numbers for both hands. The left hand will be trickier, so make sure to practice it a little extra. Also, watch out for the spots where you have to change finger numbers even though you are playing the same note.

Have fun!

Review Sheets:

1) Music Alphabet: What's Next?
2) Finger Numbers Identification
3) Santa's Workshop Building Clefs
4) Howdy Partner Piano Key Names Review
5) Note Values Early Bird

Lesson 3 (12/17)

Here are the review sheets to practice quickly finding each note on the piano keyboard:

The Dog Song (quickly find the Cat "C" and Dog "D")

The Frog Song (quickly find F G A B)


I am a Child of God part 3
Click here for a basic review sheet or here for a sheet with rhythm and fingering.
Here is the whole song (basic / rhythm & fingering) !


Rhythm Review
Print these Christmas Song rhythm worksheets:
Up on the Housetop
We Wish you a Merry Christmas



Scales
Print your 5-finger scales booklet here. We will work through it over the next several weeks.

Lesson 2 (12/10)

Piano Key Names (C & F)
2-3 times this week, practice finding all the C's and F's on the piano keyboard.
HINT: Remember that the C's are to the left of the group of 2 black key and the F's are to the left of the group of 3 black keys.
Click here if you want a blank keyboard page to practice on.
Here is one with the letters written on it (answer key).

If you like games, ask your parents to help you with one of these.
Here is a game called "Alphabet Trail" to help you practice note names.
Here is a fun Christmas Tree game to practice note names!

I am a Child of God, step 2.
Click here to listen to the song and see the full sheet music.

Click here for a basic review sheet (or here for one with rhythm and fingering).
Fingering notes:
Thumb = 1
Pointer = 2
Middle = 3
Ring = 4
Pinky = 5

Rhythm Review

Here are two sets of rhythm flash cards:
set 1: click here
set 2: click here

Lesson 1 (11/30/14)

Lesson 1 Review

Click HERE for the lyrics & note sheet

Click HERE for the full lesson review video.

Click below for Individual Song Review Videos:

• How to find C 
• Here the song all together
• song part 1 (I am a child of God) (broken down step-by-step)
• song part 2 (and He has sent me here) (broken down step-by-step)
• All together (again)

To practice:
Click HERE for the piano note flash cards
Ways to use them:

• Regular flash card quizzing (by your self or with someone else).
• Play "memory"
• Put the cards in random order on the piano and try to play them in order. This could also be a quiz game. 

Click HERE for a blank keyboard
Ways to use it:

• Print it out and practice writing the letter names of the keys. Write forwards and backwards, skipping forwards and backwards, etc. 
• Print a few copies and cut one up to create a piano key puzzle.
• Practice tapping the keys of a song you are learning. 

Practice Charts

I recommend practicing almost every day (5-6 times a week)! Start with daily 5-minute practice sessions and gradually increase the time as the songs get longer and more difficult.

Here are a few different ways you can keep track of your practice:

• Traditional practice chart
• Flower practice chart
• Robot practice chart

The first three charts simply provide a place to keep track of practice time. The intrinsic motivation of completing a goal and being able to play a song are the focus. I don't always offer prizes, but if you think a small prize may be helpful in getting your kids to practice, try this chart. I like that you have to accumulate 50 days of practice before getting a prize. 

• Maze practice chart (after 50 days of practice you get a prize)

Happy Birthday

Here are a two easy versions of "Happy Birthday."

If you want to play the melody for someone but you're not comfortable reading the notes, try this simple version: Note name version

If you're ready to try reading the notes, this one's for you: Music notes version