Lesson Assignments
Repertoire
🟨Sonatina in F Major, op. 168, no. 1 by Anton Diabelli (L. 4, B)
Make a note to put on your music stand that says “IN-THE-BLACK” to remind you of good position.
🟥Be able to listen and practice with the two videos below - one for RH and one for LH. The focus is expression and position. Copy the wrist movements exactly in the video.
measures 1-24: please make sure you re-watch the videos below and focus on position this week! Record yourself and watch for the wrist movements.
đźź©Solitude by Joyce Grill (b. 1936) (L. 4, Etude)
Learn this one measure at a time - up and down-stem notes.
Make sure your position changes do not go in and out of the black.
Every time you start this piece, think about the metronome marking - which is no faster than m.m. 60 per 8th note
Rotate your writs into the down-stem notes (actually come off the key to then rotate to the notes).
Please don’t pike the wrist. It should be almost level with your arm.
đźź©SIGHT-READING 2B
Prepare pages 62-65
GO NO FASTER THAN M.M. 60 PER QUARTER NOTE
⬛️Gavotte in F Major by Christoph Graupner (1683-1760) (L. 4, A)
⬛️Sonatina in B-flat Major, op. 29, I. Andante by Jacob Schmitt (1803-1853) (L. 4, B)
⬛️Cool Cat Waltz by Katya Pine (b. 1954) (L. 4, C)
⬛️The Avalanche, op. 45, no. 2 by Stephen Heller (1813-1888) (L. 4, Etude)
⬛️Theory Level 4
REVIEW
Review twice a week with your music.
You don’t need to review all of them in ONE practice session - just one PER WEEK.
Prelude VII by Barbara Arens (L. 3, Etude)
Beethoven, Sonatina in G Major, Ahn. 5, I. Moderato (L. 3, B)
Schumann, Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 1, Melody (L. 3, C)
Mouse Dance by Jakub Metelka b. 1986 (L. 3, Etude)
Musette in D Major BWV Anh. 126 by J. S. Bach (L 3, A)
Minuet in G Minor BWV Anh. 115 by Christian Petzold (L 3, A)
Invention in C Major by Renée Christopher (b. 1955) L. 2, C)
Crocodile Tears by Christine Donkin (L. 2, B)
Minuet G Major by JS Bach (L. 2, A)
Etude in G Major, op. 166, no. 6 by Henri Bertini (1798-1876) (L. 2, Etude)
Ecossaise in G Major by LV Beethoven (L. 2, A)
Bourrée in D Minor by Christoph Graupner (1683-1760) (L. 1, A)
Canon by Carlton Elliott
Early One Morning (Level 1, B)
Celebration by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (L. 1, Etude)
Sleigh Bells by Christine Donkin (b. 1976) (L. A)
What’s That Noise? B by Martha Mier (b. 1936) (L. A)
Boots, by Yvonne Adair (L. A)
To Fly Like and Eagle by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (L. B)
The Haunted Mouse by Nancy and Randall Faber (b. 1955; 1954)(L. A)
🎨 Color-Focus Practice (NFPER)
At the top of your music, write NFPER using the following color system:
N – Notes – correct pitches and accidentals (🟥 Red)
F – Fingering – consistent, effective finger choices (🟧 Orange)
P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟨 Yellow)
E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟩 Green)
R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)
âś… If you're only recording audio, just use NER.
Step-by-Step Practice Flow
Record your section once — video is best, but audio is fine too.
Listen back with one color/goal in mind.
As you listen, mark your music using that color anywhere it needs improvement.
Repeat for each remaining color, one at a time, until all five have been addressed.
Choose a small “spot” section from your markings — just a few measures or a tricky passage.
“Spot” until it’s solid — meaning:
âś… 3 times in a row correctly, or
âś… 5 total correct repetitions, then move on.
Focus on one or two colors at a time while practicing that spot.
Use the troubleshooting checklist below if you're stuck.
🔧 Troubleshooting Tips
🎯 If you’ve tried to fix something three times in-a-row and it’s still not working, don’t just repeat it — troubleshoot:
Do you need to slow down?
Should you practice hands alone?
Could you make the spot even smaller?
Would technical exercises help (staccato, accents, etc.)?
Do you need to think ahead more clearly?