Lesson 23 (5/27/15)

Don't forget that we are switching to Tuesdays for June and July!

Practice assignments for this week:

Elliot:
If you want to move on to the Red books, let's make sure we finish everything in the Purple books first. Please practice the following Lesson Book songs until you can play them comfortably.

LESSON: pg 54, 58, 60-61, 62, 64-71

Please also practice pg 20-32 in the TECHNIQUE book, plus any PERFORMANCE or POPULAR songs you haven't done yet. You don't need to do any more sight reading from the purple books.

Quincy:
Practice each song about 5 times per day, or more if they are still hard to play.
Sometimes just play the song. Other times, count the beats out loud, and other times say the names of the notes out loud as you play.

Ask your mom if you can play a note reading practice game on your ipad this week to practice treble C,D,E,F&G!

LESSON: pg 42-43
PERFORMANCE:13-15

+SIGHT READING: 22-25

Lesson 22 (5/20/15)

Thanks for the videos you sent yesterday! Choose another song to work on perfecting (maybe from the performance book or popular book, or "I am a Child of God") and try recording it when you're ready. 

Practice for this week:

BOTH: 
Technique pg 12-15 (Use these techniques but not as written—change them to match the 5-finger scales C G F D A.)

QUINCY
Lesson pg 42-43

Popular NONE FOR NOW. Really focus on reviewing your lesson book and feeling comfortable reading the notes. 

Performance pg 12-13

Sight reading pg 16-21

ELLIOT

Lesson - nothing new for now

Popular pg 22-23

Performance pg 18-19
Try to play these songs FASTER + dynamics (a little each day, not all at once!)

Sight reading pg 34-38

FOCUS on notes, rhythm and dymanics!!!
IF it’s easy, try to play faster. 

Rhythm exploration for Elliot:
She was really curious about the idea of 8th notes, 16th notes, 32nd notes, etc. Here are some pictures (flashcards) I promised her.

Have her look at THESE flashcards and try to guess what the names of each type of note are.
Here are the answer keys:
regular
dotted notes

Lesson 21 (5/14/15)

Don't forget to mark your practice on your chart! 

Practice assignments for this week: 

WARM UP

• Continue warming up each day with your Major scales (C, G, F, D, A) Practice scales using a different technique each time (technique book pg 10-15)
• Continue with your SIGHT READING BOOK. Remember that these mini songs are supposed to be easy! The tricky part is playing them almost perfectly without practicing them. You're practicing reading skills. Focus on READING the notes, rhythm and dynamics at the same time. If they seem too easy, play 2 or 3 a day instead of just 1. If it still seems easy, try playing the songs faster, but still keep the correct notes, rhythm and dynamics!! 

PRACTICE

Quincy:

• No new lesson book songs this week! (If you have any questions on other songs, review pg 12-17 in your theory book and pg 29, 34-35 in your lesson book.)
• Sight reading pg 11-15
• Performance book page 12-15
• Popular  book pg 4-5
• Review your Easter Song and ask your mom or dad to record a video of you playing it. 
• Work on playing “Kiss the girl” with both hands.

Elliot:

• No new lesson book songs this week!
• Sight reading pg 22-? 
• Performance book page 16-17
• Pick a new song in the popular  book
• Review your Easter Song and ask your mom or dad to record a video of you playing it. 
• Work on playing “Kiss the girl” with both hands.

Lesson 20 (5/6/15)

Do you remember the practice charts from the first lesson? Don't forget to use them! Consistent practice is the most important part of learning to play the piano. I recommend practicing 6 days a week for about 20-30 minutes. (Do warm ups + play each song at least 5 times.)

Practice assignments for this week: 

WARM UP

• Continue warming up each day with your Major scales (C, G, F, D, A) Practice scales using a different technique each time (technique book pg 10-15)
• Start your SIGHT READING BOOK and do the first 12 exercises (page 6-15). Remember, normally you just play 1 per day, and don't "practice" them like you would with a regular song. You are practicing READING the notes, rhythm and dynamics. (This week we are doing 2 per day so we can catch up.)

PRACTICE

Quincy:

• Lesson book pg 41-43 (If you have any questions, review pg 12-17 in your theory book and pg 29, 34-35 in your lesson book.)
• Pick one popular song to practice (pg 4 or 14 are easier choices, but you can pick whatever you want. Look at pg 2 for help).
• Pick one performance song to practice (pg 12 or 13).
• Review your Easter Song and ask your mom or dad to record a video of you playing it. 
• Work on playing “Kiss the girl” with both hands.

Elliot:

• No new lesson book songs this week!
• Popular pg 6
• Performance pg 12-13
• Review your Easter Song and ask your mom or dad to record a video of you playing it. 
• Work on playing “Kiss the girl” with both hands.