April 23, 2026

RCM May 23rd.

RCM🟩“RCM Technical Requirements Level 03”

  1. Start your practice with technique every day. Our focus is: tidy attacks, increase tempo for broken chords, wrist steady while playing the thumb.

  2. Start from the beginning of the PDF, and do each item three times correctly. Then move on to the next. Keep track of where you leave off (after at least 7-10 min of practice). Pick up from there the next practice session.

🟩“SIGHT-READING 2B

  1. Prepare pages 47-50

  2. GO NO FASTER THAN M.M. 60 PER QUARTER NOTE

RCM🟨Mouse Dance by Jakub Metelka b. 1986 (L. 3, Etude)

  1. System 1-3: Speed-build:

    1. Expression is focus - LH beats 2-3 = soft! Do the crescendo in RH but not LH.

    2. Metronome markings: 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100

    3. Be gentle with yourself with this process! It will take multiple practice days doing all tempos above.

  2. Last system: Practice in the following way:

    1. mm. 3-4, mm. 2-3, mm. 1-2, mm. 2-4, mm. 1-3, mm. 1-4

    2. Remember to play these slowly and look ahead.

RCM🟩Prelude VII by Barbara Arens (L. 3, Etude)

  1. Practice with and without your music.

  2. Work on a bigger range of expression and softer 8th notes.

RCM🟪Musette in D Major BWV Anh. 126 by J. S. Bach (L 3, A)

  1. Practice at m.m. 50 and then 60, and then 72 with to help you play with a steady beat. This is per quarter note.

RCM🟪Beethoven, Sonatina in G Major, Ahn. 5, I. Moderato (L. 3, B)

  1. Measure 2 - continue to work on more-less with the two-note slurs and play them evenly.

RCM🟨Schumann, Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 1, Melody (L. 3, C)

  1. Spot the blue highlighted sections.

  2. RH, LH, HT, four measures at a time, focusing on getting notes secure. Practice looking ahead when you play.

    Please play as slow as you need in order to play perfect notes and fingering.

🟩Theory Level 4

  1. Start soon with Dustin

RCM🟪FOUR STAR Level 3: Online RCM Ear Training

  1. https://moodle.rcmusic.com/lms/login/index.php LINK TO RCM ONLINE EAR TRAINING

  2. Login Information:

    1. info@gledhillartscollective.com

    2. dust2789

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.

  1. Minuet in G Minor BWV Anh. 115 by Christian Petzold (L 3, A)

  2. Invention in C Major by Renée Christopher (b. 1955) L. 2, C)

  3. Crocodile Tears by Christine Donkin (L. 2, B)

  4. Minuet G Major by JS Bach (L. 2, A)

  5. Etude in G Major, op. 166, no. 6 by Henri Bertini (1798-1876) (L. 2, Etude)

  6. Ecossaise in G Major by LV Beethoven (L. 2, A)

  7. Bourrée in D Minor by Christoph Graupner (1683-1760) (L. 1, A)

  8. Canon by Carlton Elliott

  9. Early One Morning (Level 1, B)

  10. Celebration by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (L. 1, Etude)

  11. Sleigh Bells by Christine Donkin (b. 1976) (L. A)

  12. What’s That Noise? B by Martha Mier (b. 1936) (L. A)

  13. Boots, by Yvonne Adair (L. A)

  14. To Fly Like and Eagle by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (L. B)

  15. 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 (🟦 Blue)

  • F – Fingering – consistent, effective finger choices (🟧 Orange)

  • P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟪 Purple)

  • E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟩 Green)

  • R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟥 Red)

✅ If you're only recording audio, just use NER.

Step-by-Step Practice Flow

  1. Record your section once — video is best, but audio is fine too.

  2. Listen back with one color/goal in mind.

  3. As you listen, mark your music using that color anywhere it needs improvement.

  4. Repeat for each remaining color, one at a time, until all five have been addressed.

  5. Choose a small “spot” section from your markings — just a few measures or a tricky passage.

“Spot” until it’s solid — meaning:

  • ✅ 3 times in a row correctly, or

  • ✅ 5 total correct repetitions, then move on.



  1. Focus on one or two colors at a time while practicing that spot.

  2. 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?