September 21, 2026 (60 min - in-person)

2026-2027 Events

  • October 17-18, 2026 — Group Classes

  • December 5-6, 2026 — Group Classes

  • January 24, 2027 — Performance Class & Guest Artist Workshop

  • February 27-28, 2027 — Group Classes

  • April 10-11, 2027 — Group Classes

  • May 22, 2027 — Student Final Recital

How to Practice

Use the Practice Guide below. It logs your practice for you, no comments needed.

  1. Press Start from # whatever number it shows. It picks up where you stopped last time.

  2. Press Start, read the assignment, practice.

  3. Tap the kind of practice, then press Done.

  4. Press Next practice item and go again.

Capped items count down and chime. Keep going if it's going well.

Some assignments finish. Printing, theory units, sight-reading pages and Four Star sets carry a Done for the Week button. Press it when the job is done and the assignment comes off your list. Technique and repertoire don't have one; those are every day.

If an assignment asks for a metronome or a recording, that tool is sitting right there inside the assignment. The others are in Practice Tools at the top.

Got something to say about an assignment? Paste the line it gives you into the comments and add your note.

Log only what you actually did, on the day you did it. Five minutes is a real entry. Logging starts October 1.

🟩 on track · 🟨 needs extra attention · 🟪 didn't get to it at the lesson · 🟥 priority · ⬛️ don't practice this one

[PRACTICE TOOLS]

Technique

All four, same method

  • Spotting counter, NFPER. Pick your focus first.

  • Three correct in a row, or five correct in total, and that focus is done.

  • Whatever you cross off, you carry with you into the next one.

  • No caps on these. Take the time they need.

  • Elbows in front of your body, wrist up, and don't drop the wrist on the thumb.

1. 🟩 Technical Requirements for Piano, Level 1 (RCM), C major, right hand

💬 Log it: RCM Technique, Level 1, C major, RH — type of practice — minutes.

2. 🟩 Technical Requirements for Piano, Level 1 (RCM), C major, left hand

💬 Log it: RCM Technique, Level 1, C major, LH — type of practice — minutes.

3. 🟩 Technical Requirements for Piano, Level 1 (RCM), A natural minor, right hand

💬 Log it: RCM Technique, Level 1, A natural minor, RH — type of practice — minutes.

4. 🟩 Technical Requirements for Piano, Level 1 (RCM), A natural minor, left hand

💬 Log it: RCM Technique, Level 1, A natural minor, LH — type of practice — minutes.

Theory

5. 🟩 Celebrate Theory, Preparatory Level, Unit 5 (RCM)

⏱ Max 4 minutes per practice session.

  • Pages 1 to 4. Start from the beginning of the unit.

  • When the timer goes off, shut the book and move to the next assignment.

  • Finish the unit and press Done for the Week.

💬 Log it: Theory Prep, Unit 5 — type of practice — minutes.

Musicianship

6. 🟩 Four Star Sight Reading and Ear Tests, Level 1 (Berlin and Markow), Set 1

No time limit. One day of the set per practice session, Days 1 through 5.

  • Star 1: play the intervals with the fingering that is written.

  • Star 2: clap four beats, then clap the rhythm. There is a test on this next lesson.

  • Star 3: study it first, then play it once and don't stop.

  • Use the book, not Newzik. The book stays in your binder.

After Day 5 the set is done. Press Done for the Week.

💬 Log it: Four Star, Level 1, Set 1 — type of practice — minutes.

Repertoire

7. 🟩 Andante in G minor, from Fantasia in G minor, TWV 33:17 (Telemann)

⏱ Max 4 minutes per practice session.

  • Piano Repertoire, Level 1, page 7.

  • Four measures at a time: right hand, then left hand, then hands together.

  • Timer goes off, you're done. Pick up where you stopped next time.

💬 Log it: Andante in G minor (Telemann) — type of practice — minutes.

The Snake, all four chunks, same method

  • Page 41.

  • Spotting counter, NFPER. Three correct in a row, or five correct in total, for every focus you pick.

  • All of NFPER has to be done on the chunk before you leave it.

  • No caps on these.

8. 🟩 The Snake (Christopher), mm. 1-3, right hand

💬 Log it: The Snake, mm. 1-3, right hand — type of practice — minutes.

9. 🟩 The Snake (Christopher), mm. 3-5, left hand

💬 Log it: The Snake, mm. 3-5, left hand — type of practice — minutes.

10. 🟩 The Snake (Christopher), mm. 5-6, right hand

💬 Log it: The Snake, mm. 5-6, right hand — type of practice — minutes.

11. 🟩 The Snake (Christopher), mm. 6-7, left hand

💬 Log it: The Snake, mm. 6-7, left hand — type of practice — minutes.

12. 🟩 Heavenly Blue (Gerou)

⏱ Max 3 minutes per practice session.

  • Relearn from the beginning, three minutes at a time.

  • Notes and fingering only. Nothing else yet.

💬 Log it: Heavenly Blue (Gerou) — type of practice — minutes.

How Many Times Through

Three full rotations of this whole list before your next lesson. Five would be better.

Short day? Make it up the next day or on the weekend.

RCM Certificate Program

Goal: Level 1, May-June 2027 exam session, at the National Opera Center.

You still need a List B piece. Andante is your A, The Snake is your C, Heavenly Blue is your etude. We'll pick B next lesson.

Level 5 and up also requires a theory exam.

Books on Loan

Four studio books. No markings, they come back.

  • Technical Requirements for Piano, Level 1 (RCM)

  • Celebration Series, 6th ed., Piano Repertoire, Level 1

  • Celebration Series, 6th ed., Piano Etudes, Level 1

  • Four Star Sight Reading and Ear Tests, Level 1 (2015 Edition)

They live in Finn's Piano Binder. Back in the binder after every practice.

Coming Up

Group Class 1, Saturday October 17 or Sunday October 18. Let me know which one.