2017-2018 Lesson 14: Christopher Schaaf

Notes & Makeups

1. Lessons 11 and 12 credited to December Installment
2. WE WILL START WITH *** ITEMS FIRST NEXT LESSON.

_______________________________________

THEORY

1. ***Blue Note

   1. Level 1, Bass Clef
      1. LETTERS: get 20 correct
   2. Level 1, Treble Clef
      1. LETTERS: get 20 correct
   3. LEVEL 2, Treble Clef
      1. SOLFEGE: get 20 correct

2. Unit 2 "Pitch and Notation" 

   1. Prepare pages Continue to page 28. 
   2. Chromatic Half Steps
      1. Altering the same letter name (C to C-sharp or G-flat to G-natural)
   3. Diatonic Half Steps
      1. Using two different letter names (C to D-flat or F-sharp to G-natural)

3. Treble Cat (hold)

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 4, 6, 7, 8, 10
      2. Stage 2 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
   2. Remember to do ABCDEFG and Solfege!

4. Bass Cat (hold)

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

_______________________________________

REPERTOIRE

1. SLEIGH BELLS (Prep.A)

   1. 4th Hinge Technique! In order to pass off! 
   2. Remember, a raised 4th hinge helps the 1st hinge stay strong! 

2. LET'S WALTZ (Prep.A)

   1. Let's write lyrics to this piece! What can you come up with? Sing it, baby!
3. TEAPOT INVENTION (L.1)
   1. Start learning 

_______________________________________

READING

1. ***Piano Adventures: Level 1 Performance Book

   1. PREPARE: pages 8-11
   2. CHOOSE ONE GOAL FOR EACH PIECE

2. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

_______________________________________

REVIEW (review once a week with your music!)

1. German Dance in D Major 
2. Rainbow Fish 
3. Gremlins

2017-2018 Lesson 13: Christopher Schaaf

Notes & Makeups

1. Lessons 11 and 12 credited to December Installment
2. WE WILL START WITH *** ITEMS FIRST NEXT LESSON.

_______________________________________

THEORY

1. ***Blue Note

   1. Level 1, Bass Clef
      1. LETTERS: get 20 correct
   2. Level 1, Treble Clef
      1. LETTERS: get 20 correct
   3. LEVEL 2, Treble Clef
      1. SOLFEGE: get 20 correct

2. Unit 2 "Pitch and Notation" 

   1. Prepare pages Continue to page 28. 
   2. Chromatic Half Steps
      1. Altering the same letter name (C to C-sharp or G-flat to G-natural)
   3. Diatonic Half Steps
      1. Using two different letter names (C to D-flat or F-sharp to G-natural)

3. Treble Cat (hold)

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 4, 6, 7, 8, 10
      2. Stage 2 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
   2. Remember to do ABCDEFG and Solfege!

4. Bass Cat (hold)

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

_______________________________________

REPERTOIRE

1. SLEIGH BELLS (Prep.A)

   1. Measures 1-4 and 5-8 (study 4 at a time)
   2. For Each Hand:
      1. Observe the time signature 
      2. Observe the rhythm in each hand and clap or ta the rhythm before you touch the keys!
      3. Speak the names of the notes out loud before you touch the keys
      4. Play the notes! Repeat steps 2 and 3 if needed. :) 

2. LET'S WALTZ (Prep.A)

   1. Let's write lyrics to this piece! What can you come up with? Sing it, baby!  

_______________________________________

READING

1. ***Piano Adventures: Level 1 Performance Book

   1. PREPARE: pages 8-11
   2. CHOOSE ONE GOAL FOR EACH PIECE

2. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

_______________________________________

REVIEW (review once a week with your music!)

1. German Dance in D Major 
2. Rainbow Fish 
3. Gremlins

2017-2018 Lesson 10: Christopher Schaaf

Notes & Makeups

1. WE WILL START WITH * ITEMS FIRST NEXT LESSON.

THEORY

1. *Blue Note

   1. Level 1, Bass Clef
      1. LETTERS: get 10 correct in under 26 seconds (goal is 20)
   2. Level 1, Treble Clef
      1. LETTERS: get 10 correct in under 21 (our goal is 20)
   3. LEVEL 2, Treble Clef
      1. SOLFEGE: get 10 correct in under 26 (our goal is 20) 

2. **Unit 2 "Pitch and Notation" 

   1. Prepare pages 21-24

3. Treble Cat (hold)

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 4, 6, 7, 8, 10
      2. Stage 2 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
   2. Remember to do ABCDEFG and Solfege!

4. Bass Cat (hold)

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

REPERTOIRE

1. SLEIGH BELLS (page 23 in pre A repertoire)

   1. Measures 1-4 and 5-8 (study 4 at a time)
   2. For Each Hand:
      1. Observe the time signature 
      2. Observe the rhythm in each hand and clap or ta the rhythm before you touch the keys!
      3. Speak the names of the notes out loud before you touch the keys
      4. Play the notes! Repeat steps 2 and 3 if needed. :) 

2. LET'S WALTZ (page 6 in Prep A Repertoire)

   1. Goal for next week:
      1. Slow it down
      2. RH measures 5-8
         1. Clap the rhythm before you play the notes
         2. play the notes with the correct rhythm and fingering 3 times.
      3. LH fix the fingering throughout!
      4. Finish the last system - careful of your fingering and notes. 

READING

1. *Piano Adventures: Level 1 Performance Book

   1. PREPARE: pages 8-11
   2. CHOOSE ONE GOAL FOR EACH PIECE

2. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

REVIEW (review once a week with your music!)

1. German Dance in D Major 
2. Rainbow Fish 
3. Gremlins

2017-2018 Lesson 9: Christopher Schaaf

Notes & Makeups

1. WE WILL START WITH * ITEMS FIRST NEXT LESSON.

THEORY

1. *Blue Note

   1. Level 1, Bass Clef
      1. LETTERS: get 10 correct in under 26 seconds (goal is 20)
   2. Level 1, Treble Clef
      1. LETTERS: get 10 correct in under 21 (our goal is 20)
   3. LEVEL 2, Treble Clef
      1. SOLFEGE: get 10 correct in under 26 (our goal is 20) 

2. *Unit 2 "Pitch and Notation" 

   1. Prepare pages 20-24

3. Treble Cat (hold)

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 4, 6, 7, 8, 10
      2. Stage 2 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
   2. Remember to do ABCDEFG and Solfege!

4. Bass Cat (hold)

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

REPERTOIRE

1. LET'S WALTZ (page 6 in Prep A Repertoire)

   1. Goal for next week:
      1. Play the melody with correct fingering, rhythm and notes. Remember your B-flats. 
      2. Learn the accompaniment! The movement should be pop-forward and quiet.  

READING

1. Piano Adventures: Level 1 Performance Book

   1. PREPARE: pages 8-11
   2. CHOOSE ONE GOAL FOR EACH PIECE

2. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

REVIEW (review once a week with your music!)

1. German Dance in D Major 
2. Rainbow Fish 
3. Gremlins

2017-2018 Lesson 8: Christopher Schaaf

Notes & Makeups

1. Performance Class: November 19th, Sunday at the DiMenna Center, Cary Hall. 
2. *Joy cancelled Monday's lessons due to Christopher being sick.

THEORY

1. Unit 2 "Pitch and Notation" 

   1. Prepare pages 20-24

2. *Treble Cat (hold)

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 4, 6, 7, 8, 10
      2. Stage 2 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
   2. Remember to do ABCDEFG and Solfege!

3. *Bass Cat (hold)

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

4. Blue Note

   1. Level 1, Bass Clef
      1. LETTERS: get 10 correct in under 26 seconds (goal is 20)
   2. Level 1, Treble Clef
      1. LETTERS: get 10 correct in under 21 (our goal is 20)
   3. LEVEL 2, Treble Clef
      1. SOLFEGE: get 10 correct in under 26 (our goal is 20) 

REPERTOIRE

1. LET'S WALTZ (page 6 in Prep A Repertoire)

   1. Learn hands alone with articulations and correct fingering. 

REVIEW (review once a week with your music!)

1. German Dance in D Major 
2. Rainbow Fish 
3. Gremlins

READING (no assignment)

1. Piano Adventures: Level 1

   1. PREPARE: pages 2-7
   2. CHOOSE ONE GOAL FOR EACH PIECE TO 

2. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

2017-2018 Lesson 7: Christopher Schaaf

Notes & Makeups

1. Performance Class: November 19th, Sunday at the DiMenna Center, Cary Hall. 
2. *Joy cancelled Monday's lessons due to Christopher being sick.

Performance Class: November 19th, DiMenna Center

1. Haydn:
2. Gremlins:

THEORY

1. Unit 2 "Pitch and Notation" 

   1. Prepare pages 20-24

2. *Treble Cat

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 4, 6, 7, 8, 10
      2. Stage 2 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
   2. Remember to do ABCDEFG and Solfege!

3. *Bass Cat

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

4. Blue Note

   1. Level 1, Treble Clef
      1. Letter Names: get 10 correct in under 21 (our goal is 20)
      2. Solfege: get 10 correct in under 29 (our goal is 20)

5. Staff Paper Assignment

   1. See your assignment in your staff book.

6. Major Pentascale - review

   1. Starting Note, Whole Step, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step

7. Minor Pentascale - review

   1. Starting Note, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step, Whole Step 

REPERTOIRE

1. German Dance in D Major by Haydn

   1. Fix the red pen in measure 3
   2. Fix the red pen in measure 8
   3. Get rid of the pauses by practicing section 4.3 to 6.3 and 5.3 to 8.1 

REVIEW (review once a week with your music!)

1. Rainbow Fish 
2. Gremlins

READING (no assignment)

1. Sight Reading Book

   1. No Assignment

2. **Piano Adventures Primer Level

   1. Choose three pieces to play for Dustin. 
   2. Have one goal in mind for each piece

3. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

2017-2018 Lesson 6: Christopher Schaaf

Notes & Makeups

1. Performance Class: November 19th, Sunday at the DiMenna Center, Cary Hall. 
2. *Joy cancelled Monday's lessons due to Christopher being sick.

Performance Class: November 19th, DiMenna Center

1. Haydn:
2. Gremlins:

THEORY

1. Unit 2 "Pitch and Notation" 

   1. Prepare pages 20-24

2. *Treble Cat

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 4, 6, 7, 8, 10
      2. Stage 2 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
   2. Remember to do ABCDEFG and Solfege!

3. *Bass Cat

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
      1. Stage 1 Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

4. Blue Note

   1. Level 1, Treble Clef
      1. Letter Names: get 10 correct in under 21 (our goal is 20)
      2. Solfege: get 10 correct in under 29 (our goal is 20)

5. Staff Paper Assignment

   1. See your assignment in your staff book.

6. Major Pentascale - review

   1. Starting Note, Whole Step, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step

7. Minor Pentascale - review

   1. Starting Note, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step, Whole Step 

REPERTOIRE

1. German Dance in D Major by Haydn

   1. Fix the red pen in measure 3
   2. Fix the red pen in measure 8
   3. Get rid of the pauses by practicing section 4.3 to 6.3 and 5.3 to 8.1 

REVIEW (review once a week with your music!)

1. Rainbow Fish 
2. Gremlins

READING (no assignment)

1. Sight Reading Book

   1. No Assignment

2. **Piano Adventures Primer Level

   1. Choose three pieces to play for Dustin. 
   2. Have one goal in mind for each piece

3. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

2017-2018 Lesson 5: Christopher Schaaf

Notes & Makeups

1. Performance Class: November 19th, Sunday at the DiMenna Center, Cary Hall. 
2. *Joy cancelled Monday's lessons due to Christopher being sick.

Performance Class: November 19th, DiMenna Center

1. Haydn? 
2. Gremlins

THEORY

1. *Unit 2 "Pitch and Notation" 

   1. We didn't have time to go over this last time - Dustin check next week.
   2. Prepare pages 12 - 21 (minimum)
   3. Prepare pages 22 - 29 (bonus)

2. Treble Cat

   1. Be able to get 3 stars on the "faster" speed.
   2. Remember to do ABCDEFG and Solfege!

3. Bass Cat

   1. Download and start the levels!

4. Blue Note

   1. Download and start level 1, Treble Clef.
   2. ABCDEFG and Solfege. 
   3. See how long it takes you go do 20 notes correctly! Try in under 2.5 minutes.

5. Staff Paper Assignment

   1. See your assignment in your staff book.

6. Major Pentascale - review

   1. Starting Note, Whole Step, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step

7. Minor Pentascale - review

   1. Starting Note, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step, Whole Step 

REPERTOIRE

1. German Dance in D Major by Haydn

   1. Fix the red pen in measure 3
   2. Fix the red pen in measure 8
   3. Get rid of the pauses by practicing section 4.3 to 6.3 and 5.3 to 8.1 

REVIEW (review once a week with your music!)

1. Rainbow Fish 
2. Gremlins

READING (no assignment)

1. Sight Reading Book

   1. No Assignment

2. **Piano Adventures Primer Level

   1. Choose three pieces to play for Dustin. 
   2. Have one goal in mind for each piece

3. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

2017-2018 Lesson 4: Christopher Schaaf

Notes & Makeups

1. *Joy cancelled Monday's lessons due to Christopher being sick.

TECHNIQUE

1. No Assignment

**READING (no assignment)

1. Sight Reading Book

   1. No Assignment

2. **Piano Adventures Primer Level

   1. Choose three pieces to play for Dustin. 
   2. Have one goal in mind for each piece

3. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

THEORY

1. Unit 2 "Pitch and Notation" 

   1. Prepare pages 12 - 21 (minimum)
   2. Prepare pages 22 - 29 (bonus)

2. Treble Cat

   1. Play 5 min a day
   2. Switch between letter names and solfege

3. Blue Note

   1. Play 5 min a day
   2. Switch between letter names and solfege

4. Staff Paper Assignment

   1. See your assignment in your staff book.

5. Major Pentascale

   1. Starting Note, Whole Step, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step

6. Minor Pentascale

   1. Starting Note, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step, Whole Step 

REPERTOIRE

1. German Dance in D Major by Haydn

   1. Relearn fingering and notes in the RH first two systems . 

2. Gremlins

   1. Improvisational Playing: Changing the octave (register)

3. YouTube Piece

REVIEW (review once a week with your music!)

1. Rainbow Fish 
2. Gremlins

2017-2018 Lesson 3: Christopher Cchaaf

*Joy cancelled Monday's lessons due to Christopher being sick.

TECHNIQUE

1. No Assignment

READING

1. Sight Reading Book

   1. No Assignment

2. Piano Adventures Primer Level

   1. Prepare pages. 64-65. 

3. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

THEORY

1. Staff Paper Assignment

   1. See your assignment in your staff book.

2. Major Pentascale

   1. Starting Note, Whole Step, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step

3. Minor Pentascale

   1. Starting Note, Whole Step, Half Step, Whole Step, Whole Step

4. STAFF ASSIGNMENT

   1. Follow the instructions in your staff paper under the 9/11/17 page.
   2. Follow the 9/20 assignment as well 

REPERTOIRE

1. German Dance in D Major by Haydn

   1. Learn the first 8 measures hands alone
      1. Tah the rhythm and clap the pulse / beat.
      2. Look out for fingering and your F and C sharps! 

2. Gremlins

   1. Improvisational Playing: Changing the octave (register)

3. YouTube Piece

REVIEW (review once a week with your music!)

1. Rainbow Fish 
2. Gremlins

2017-2018 Lesson 2: Christopher Schaaf

*Joy cancelled Monday's lessons due to Christopher being sick.

TECHNIQUE

1. No Assignment

READING

1. Sight Reading Book

   1. No Assignment

2. Piano Adventures Primer Level

   1. Prepare pages 62 - see the goal at the top of the page
   2. Page 63 - review the instructions. 

3. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

THEORY

1. STAFF ASSIGNMENT
   1. Follow the instructions in your staff paper under the 9/11/17 page.
   2. Follow the 9/20 assignment as well 

REPERTOIRE

1. Gremlins

   1. Learn mm. 14-17

2. Rainbow Fish

3. YouTube Piece

   1.  

2017-2018 Lesson 1: Christopher Schaaf

TECHNIQUE

1. No Assignment

READING

1. Sight Reading Book

   1. No Assignment

2. Piano Adventures Primer Level

   1. Prepare pages 64-65

3. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

THEORY

1. Follow the instructions in your staff paper under the 9/11/17 page. 

REPERTOIRE

1. Gremlins

   1. Learn mm. 9-12 hands alone

2. Rainbow Fish

   1. On review!
3. New Piece next week.

Summer 2016-2017 August Lesson 2: Christopher Schaaf

TECHNIQUE

1. No Assignment

READING

1. Sight Reading Book

   1. No Assignment

2. Piano Adventures Primer Level

   1. Prepare pages 64-65

3. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

REPERTOIRE

1. Gremlins

   1. m. 6 - wrists up and circle-like fingers
   2. ms. 7-8 - short as possible. 
   3. Learn rest of piece!

2. Rainbow Fish

   1. Try to take four measures of a time playing with a steady beat. 
   2. Fix the pencil 

Summer 2016-2017 August Lesson 1: Christopher Schaaf

TECHNIQUE

1. No Assignment

READING

1. Sight Reading Book

   1. No Assignment

2. Piano Adventures Primer Level

   1. Prepare pages 64-65

3. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

REPERTOIRE

1. Gremlins

   1. LH fix m. 2 - D-sharp and fingering
   2.  Grace notes - pop your wrists up on the 2nd note.
   3. SLOWLY SLOWLY hands together. ms. 1-4
   4. Learn 5-9

2. Rainbow Fish

   1. Fix all your pencil markings.

Summer 2016-2017 Lesson 3: Christopher Schaaf

TECHNIQUE

1. No Assignment

READING

1. Sight Reading Book

   1. No Assignment

2. Piano Adventures Primer Level

   1. Prepare pages 62-63

3. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

REPERTOIRE

1. Gremlins

   1. LEFT HAND: ms. 1-5
      1. Learn the notes in the LH with a raised wrist
   2. RIGHT HAND: ms. 1-5
      1. Practice one measure at a time (no more than 5 times without taking a break) with a goal of keeping your fingers close to the keys. 

2. Rainbow Fish

   1. Learn first four measures

Summer 2016-2017 Lesson 2: Christopher Schaaf

TECHNIQUE

1. What is the name of your exercise?

READING

1. Sight Reading Book

   1. Remember to try to keep with a steady beat (it can be really slow if needed!) and play through your mistakes to the very end.
   2. After you've played through once, put your hands in your lap and think about what needs to improve. Try to fix the problem spots in your mind first before you play it again.
   3. Repeat if needed!

2. Piano Adventures Primer Level

   1. Prepare page 55, 56, 58-61

3. Czerny Op. 823 (no assignment)

REPERTOIRE

1. Gremlins

   1. LEFT HAND:
      1. choose a small section (4 measures at a time) and study the interval direction and size. How do the notes move? Up a second? Down a third?
      2. in the same section, study the rhythm. You can ta and conduct or tap the beat, count out loud, etc. 
      3. play (VERY SLOWLY) the same section thinking about your first two steps! 
      4. Repeat if necessary.
   2. RIGHT HAND:
      1. Same steps as above.

2. "Emo Piece" Coming Soon to a Practice Room Near You.

Summer 2016-2017 Lesson 1: Christopher Schaaf

(lesson on Tuesday July 11th at the National Opera Center - an issue with publishing the blog occurred)

TECHNIQUE

1. See your new practice video in your video playlist!

   1. What name do you want to use for this exercise?

READING

1. Sight Reading Book

   1. Two to three pieces a day

2. Piano Adventures Primer Level

   1. Pages indicated in red pen

3. Czerny Op. 823

   1. Prepare No. ?

REPERTOIRE