April 30, 2026 (2 of 8)

Final Recital

May 30th, 2:00 pm

Group Class

May 2nd / 3rd

Lesson Assignments

Level 3 RCM Material

🟪RCM Technical Requirements: Level 3

1. Prepare pages 11 and 12.

🟪Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

1. m. 9 - LH: please don’t slur the notes. Each LH 8th staccato.

2. This is sounding great! Expression is so much better.

3. Memorize!

🟪Sonatina in C Major, op. 36 no. 1, Allegro by Muzio Clementi (L. 3, B)

1. This assignment will take longer to accomplish than your other assignments.

2. Speed-build to m.m. 72 per half note (final is 84 at minimum).

3. Do this small chunks, starting at a slower tempo, then increase gradually as you are able to play the sections correctly.

🟪Sonatina in A Minor op. 94, no. 4, Allegro moderato by Albert Biehl (L. 3, B)

1. Bueno!

2. Measure 21: LH, don’t make the highlited note staccato. Connect it to the LH in the next meausre.

3. Last system of the piece: hold the highlighted quarter notes for their full value.

🟪Sight-reading 2B

1. Complete pages 25-30 of the next PDF

🟪 Theory Level 3: Unit 3

1. Corrected / made some notes in theory

RCM Level 2 Exam Material

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Focus on formula patterns.

2. Strive for even sound!

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. We can’t have accents in this piece. Focus on smooth crescendo and decrescendo in the LH. The RH needs to be smooth and NOT participate in the dynamic changes.

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Please activate your wrists to be more flexible. Your hands are tense and it makes the notes muffled and sometimes not speak! 👻notes. :) Bigger contrast in dynamics.

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. The triples are slightly uneven. Think of them as lighter (weight and sound). Don’t scoot on your bench to get to a higher register. Clean up the notes in mm. 15-16. Same comment as Ecossaise: keep wrist flexible - start your triplets in a lower position so you can follow through by raising the wrist.

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. m. 8 - don’t cheat the full value of the note. In mm. 15-16 please do the rit. The “rall.” at the end (last two measures) is too much. Slow down just a bit here.

🟥Sight-reading

1. This is your weakest assignment today - check the key signature, rhythm, and make sure you’re doing all the expression!

🟩Musicianship Level 2

• Clapback:

  • Please clap loudly. Don’t give them an excuse to misunderstand your rhythm.

• Playback:

  • Good.

• Intervals:

  • Good.

• Chords

  • Good.

Other Assignments

🟩Improvisation Assignment: Making up our own melodies

1. With Dustin at the lesson (for now)

2. Identify a scale

3. Identify two triads (tonic / dominant)

4. Improvise a melody within each chord with a limited amount of notes.

5. Begin and end on the tonic or root of the triad.

🟩Level 3 Pieces

1. Lemon Sherbet Rag by Barbara Arents (L. 3, C)

2. The Stormy Sea by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 3, C)

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

4. in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

Focus Tracker

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚💚🧡💚❤️🧡❤️💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

April 23, 2026 (1 of 8)

Final Recital

May 30th, 2:00 pm

Group Class

May 2nd / 3rd

Lesson Assignments

🟩Improvisation Assignment: Making up our own melodies

1. With Dustin at the lesson (for now)

2. Identify a scale

3. Identify two triads (tonic / dominant)

4. Improvise a melody within each chord with a limited amount of notes.

5. Begin and end on the tonic or root of the triad.

🟩Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

1. m. 9 - LH: please don’t slur the notes. Each LH 8th staccato.

2. This is sounding great! Expression is so much better.

3. Memorize!

🟩Sonatina in C Major, op. 36 no. 1, Allegro by Muzio Clementi (L. 3, B)

1. This assignment will take longer to accomplish than your other assignments.

2. Speed-build to m.m. 72 per half note (final is 84 at minimum).

3. Do this small chunks, starting at a slower tempo, then increase gradually as you are able to play the sections correctly.

🟪Sonatina in A Minor op. 94, no. 4, Allegro moderato by Albert Biehl (L. 3, B)

1. Bueno!

2. Measure 21: LH, don’t make the highlited note staccato. Connect it to the LH in the next meausre.

3. Last system of the piece: hold the highlighted quarter notes for their full value.

🟪Sight-reading 2B

1. Complete pages 25-30 of the next PDF

🟪RCM Technical Requirements: Level 3

1. Prepare pages 11 and 12.

🟪RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Work on position (no fingers collapsed) and fix B-flat Major scales

🟩Four Star Level 2: RCM Ear Training Online Tool

• The following are notes after working through some examples with Daniel at the lesson:

• Rhythm Notes:

  • Don’t worry if your claps don’t line up EXACTLY with the orange dots (after you record when you see it displayed)

  • Clap loudly and closer to the iPad.

• Melody Notes:

  • When you do the playback recordings, try to get the rhythm of the melody as well.

• Intervals:

  • Only listen to the interval played one time before you select an anwer.

• Chords

  • No issues here! 🎉

🟪 Theory Level 3: Unit 3

1. Corrected / made some notes in theory

🟪Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Review by starting from random measures.

2. Make sure the the peak of the crescendo is NOT and accent.

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. One position issue with the LH. in m. 3. Please curve the 3rd finger on the F-sharp (highlighted in blue)

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. Today there were some note issues but it seemed like they weren’t consistent mistakes

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. Expression is focus.

🟩Level 3 Pieces

1. Lemon Sherbet Rag by Barbara Arents (L. 3, C)

2. The Stormy Sea by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 3, C)

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

4. in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚💚🧡💚❤️🧡❤️💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

April 16, 2026 (8 of 8)

Final Recital

May 30th, 2:30 pm

Group Class

May 2nd / 3rd

Lesson Assignments

🟥Mary Beth please talk with Danial about doing level 2 now or waiting to do level 3 later

🟩Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

1. All LH 8th notes are staccato.

2. RH m. 1 and others alike: let go of the last note (D) in the group of 16ths. Don’t connect it to the next measure.

🟩Sonatina in C Major, op. 36 no. 1, Allegro by Muzio Clementi (L. 3, B)

1. This week, focus on the the dynamics. Try to make a better contrast between forte and piano.

🟩Sonatina in A Minor op. 94, no. 4, Allegro moderato by Albert Biehl (L. 3, B)

1. Bueno!

2. Measure 21: LH, don’t make the highlited note staccato. Connect it to the LH in the next meausre.

3. Last system of the piece: hold the highlighted quarter notes for their full value.

🟩Sight-reading 2B

1. Complete pages 25-30 of the next PDF

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 3

1. Prepare pages 11 and 12.

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Work on position (no fingers collapsed) and fix B-flat Major scales

🟩Four Star Level 2: RCM Ear Training Online Tool

• The following are notes after working through some examples with Daniel at the lesson:

• Rhythm Notes:

  • Don’t worry if your claps don’t line up EXACTLY with the orange dots (after you record when you see it displayed)

  • Clap loudly and closer to the iPad.

• Melody Notes:

  • When you do the playback recordings, try to get the rhythm of the melody as well.

• Intervals:

  • Only listen to the interval played one time before you select an anwer.

• Chords

  • No issues here! 🎉

🟩🟪 Theory Level 3: Unit 3

1. Corrected / made some notes in theory

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Review by starting from random measures.

2. Make sure the the peak of the crescendo is NOT and accent.

🟪🟪 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟪🟪I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟪🟪Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟪Level 3 Pieces

1. The Stormy Sea by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 3, C)

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

3. Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚💚🧡💚❤️🧡❤️

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

April 9, 2026 (7 of 8)

Final Recital

May 30th, 2:30 pm

Group Class

May 2nd / 3rd

Lesson Assignments

Mary Beth please talk with Danial about doing level 2 now or waiting to do level 3 later

🟩Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

1. Start to learn!

2. Create questions about the piece (theory-style). At least 10.

3. Then start to learn in chunks with the NFPER method, hands alone, then together.

🟩Sonatina in C Major, op. 36 no. 1, Allegro by Muzio Clementi (L. 3, B)

1. One more week of focus on position: including round fingers, 5th finger position.

2. m. 28-29, 32 & 34 - RH 5th finger position up and shorter notes (quarter notes).

3. m. 26 - scale technque position in the RH - don’t drop or twist wrist when paying the thumb.

4. “spot practice” m. 30

5. m. 23 do the piano marking.

🟩Sonatina in A Minor op. 94, no. 4, Allegro moderato by Albert Biehl (L. 3, B)

1. 🟥m. 37: three things

   1. Timing: slow down gradually (see the recording labled 36-38 timing in Newzik)

   2. Rest: RH has a rest.

   3. Pedal: See the new pedal markings.

🟩Sight-reading 2B

1. Complete pages 20-25 of the next PDF

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 3

1. Page 10: prepare the chords.

2. 🟨B-flat Major - fix fingering

3. Continue to teach your muscle memory:

   1. Keep your wrist up when you play thumbs.

   2. Fingers Round

   3. Smooth Sound

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Work on position (no fingers collapsed) and fix B-flat Major scales

🟩Four Star Level 2: RCM Ear Training Online Tool

• The following are notes after working through some examples with Daniel at the lesson:

• Rhythm Notes:

  • Don’t worry if your claps don’t line up EXACTLY with the orange dots (after you record when you see it displayed)

  • Clap loudly and closer to the iPad.

• Melody Notes:

  • When you do the playback recordings, try to get the rhythm of the melody as well.

• Intervals:

  • Only listen to the interval played one time before you select an anwer.

• Chords

  • No issues here! 🎉

🟨 Theory Level 3: Unit 3

1. Self-correct any rhythmic issues in your theory (strong / weak idea)

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Review by starting from random measures.

2. Make sure the the peak of the crescendo is NOT and accent.

🟪 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟪I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟪Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

Level 3 Pieces

1. The Stormy Sea by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 3, C)

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

3. Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚💚🧡💚❤️🧡

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

April 3, 2026 (6 of 8)

Final Recital

May 30th, 2:30 pm

Group Class

May 2nd / 3rd

Lesson Assignments

Mary Beth please talk with Danial about doing level 2 now or waiting to do level 3 later

🟩Sonatina in C Major, op. 36 no. 1, Allegro by Muzio Clementi (L. 3, B)

1. Start learning in small chunks, hands alone and hands together.

2. mm. 9 and 11 - look out for 5th finger position RH.

3. mm. 24 to the end, write in all the expressive markings in blue pen (use the exposition as a guide).

4. Learn mm. 24 to the end.

🟩Sonatina in A Minor op. 94, no. 4, Allegro moderato by Albert Biehl (L. 3, B)

1. 🟥Please avoid playing on the side of your RH 5th finger - especially in m. 32

2. m. 37 - timing. (see the recording labled 36-38 timing in Newzik)

3. mm. 32-35 - RH should have as much or more strength than the LH. The LH is overpowering.

🟩Sight-reading 2B

1. Complete pages 20-25 of the next PDF

🟨RCM Technical Requirements: Level 3

1. Page 10: prepare the chords.

2. 🟥B-flat Major - fix fingering

3. Teach your muscle memory:

   1. Keep your wrist up when you play thumbs.

   2. Fingers Round

   3. Smooth Sound

🟨RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Work on position (no fingers collapsed) and fix B-flat Major scales

🟩Four Star Level 2: RCM Ear Training Online Tool

• The following are notes after working through some examples with Daniel at the lesson:

• Rhythm Notes:

  • Don’t worry if your claps don’t line up EXACTLY with the orange dots (after you record when you see it displayed)

  • Clap loudly and closer to the iPad.

• Melody Notes:

  • When you do the playback recordings, try to get the rhythm of the melody as well.

• Intervals:

  • Only listen to the interval played one time before you select an anwer.

• Chords

  • No issues here! 🎉

🟥 Theory Level 3

1. Daniel’s job to have theory ready at the lesson before we start.

2. Unit 3: Complete the unit (find the unit)

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Review by starting from random measures.

2. Make sure the the peak of the crescendo is NOT and accent.

🟪 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟪I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟪Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

Level 3 Pieces

1. The Stormy Sea by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 3, C)

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

3. Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚💚🧡💚❤️

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

March 27, 2026 (5 of 8)

Group Class

1. Etude in D Minor: memorized - excellent!

2. Sonatina in A Minor: used music

Lesson Assignments

Mary Beth please talk with Danial about doing level 2 now or waiting to do level 3 later

🟩Sonatina in C Major, op. 36 no. 1, Allegro by Muzio Clementi (L. 3, B)

1. Start learning in small chunks, hands alone and hands together.

2. mm. 9 and 11 - look out for 5th finger position RH.

3. mm. 24 to the end, write in all the expressive markings in blue pen (use the exposition as a guide).

4. Learn mm. 24 to the end.

🟩Sonatina in A Minor op. 94, no. 4, Allegro moderato by Albert Biehl (L. 3, B)

1. 🟥Please avoid playing on the side of your RH 5th finger - especially in m. 32

2. m. 37 - timing. (see the recording labled 36-38 timing in Newzik)

3. mm. 32-35 - RH should have as much or more strength than the LH. The LH is overpowering.

🟩Sight-reading 2B

1. Complete pages 13-18 of the next PDF

🟥RCM Technical Requirements: Level 3

1. Before each scale: speak out loud - the key signature and where each finger 4 goes.

   1. Practice hands alone each scale

🟨RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Work on position (no fingers collapsed) and fix B-flat Major scales

🟪Four Star Level 2: RCM Ear Training Online Tool

• The following are notes after working through some examples with Daniel at the lesson:

• Rhythm Notes:

  • Don’t worry if your claps don’t line up EXACTLY with the orange dots (after you record when you see it displayed)

  • Clap loudly and closer to the iPad.

• Melody Notes:

  • When you do the playback recordings, try to get the rhythm of the melody as well.

• Intervals:

  • Only listen to the interval played one time before you select an anwer.

• Chords

  • No issues here! 🎉

🟥 Theory Level 3

1. Unit 3: Complete the unit

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Review by starting from random measures.

2. Make sure the the peak of the crescendo is NOT and accent.

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

Level 3 Pieces

1. The Stormy Sea by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 3, C)

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

3. Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚💚🧡💚❤️

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

March 19, 2026 (4 of 8)

Group Class

1. Etude in D Minor: memorized - excellent!

2. Sonatina in A Minor: used music

Lesson Assignments

Mary Beth please talk with Danial about doing level 2 now or waiting to do level 3 later

🟩Sonatina in C Major, op. 36 no. 1, Allegro by Muzio Clementi (L. 3, B)

1. Start learning in small chunks, hands alone and hands together.

2. Be prepared to talk to me about the structure of the piece - where is part one (exposition) part two (development) part three (recapitulation).

🟩Sonatina in A Minor op. 94, no. 4, Allegro moderato by Albert Biehl (L. 3, B)

1. Please avoid playing on the side of your RH 5th finger.

2. Measure 45 - please listen to the recording in Newzik for the correct timing.

🟩Sight-reading 2B

1. Complete pages 5-8 of the next PDF

🟨RCM Technical Requirements: Level 3

1. 🟥Redo D harmonic minor - note issues

2. Prepare:

   1. B-flat Major

   2. G melodic minor

🟪RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Review all technical items at their final tempo.

🟩Four Star Level 2: RCM Ear Training Online Tool

• The following are notes after working through some examples with Daniel at the lesson:

• Rhythm Notes:

  • Don’t worry if your claps don’t line up EXACTLY with the orange dots (after you record when you see it displayed)

  • Clap loudly and closer to the iPad.

• Melody Notes:

  • When you do the playback recordings, try to get the rhythm of the melody as well.

• Intervals:

  • Only listen to the interval played one time before you select an anwer.

• Chords

  • No issues here! 🎉

🟩 Theory Level 3

1. Unit 3: Complete the unit

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Review by starting from random measures.

2. Make sure the the peak of the crescendo is NOT and accent.

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

Level 3 Pieces

1. The Stormy Sea by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 3, C)

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

3. Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚💚🧡💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

March 14, 2026 (Group Class)

Group Class

1. Etude in D Minor: memorized - excellent!

2. Sonatina in A Minor: used music

Lesson Assignments

🟩Sonatina in A Minor op. 94, no. 4, Allegro moderato by Albert Biehl (L. 3, B)

1. Learn to the end!

2. 💛mm. 1-16: Focus on making the LH softer than the RH.

🟩Sight-reading 2B

1. Congrats on being done with 2A!

2. Complete pages 1-4 of the next PDF

🟨RCM Technical Requirements: Level 3

1. Redo B melodic minor on p. 5

2. Prepare D harmonic and melodic minor on p. 6

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Review all technical items at their final tempo.

2. Smooth sound please!

🟩Four Star Level 2 (this needs a bit more work before an exam)

1. Practice playback and clapbacks with your mom this week. This is sounding better!

🟩 Theory Level 3

1. Unit 2: Complete the unit

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Review by starting from random measures.

2. Make sure the the peak of the crescendo is NOT and accent.

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

Level 3 Pieces

1. The Stormy Sea by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 3, C)

2. Sonatina in C Major, op. 36 no. 1, Allegro by Muzio Clementi (L. 3, B)

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

4. Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚💚🧡💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

March 12, 2026 (Lesson 3 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

🟩Sonatina in A Minor op. 94, no. 4, Allegro moderato by Albert Biehl (L. 3, B)

1. Learn to the end!

2. 💛mm. 1-16: Focus on making the LH softer than the RH.

🟩Sight-reading 2B

1. Congrats on being done with 2A!

2. Complete pages 1-4 of the next PDF

🟨RCM Technical Requirements: Level 3

1. Redo B melodic minor on p. 5

2. Prepare D harmonic and melodic minor on p. 6

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Review all technical items at their final tempo.

2. Smooth sound please!

🟩Four Star Level 2 (this needs a bit more work before an exam)

1. Practice playback and clapbacks with your mom this week. This is sounding better!

🟩 Theory Level 3

1. Unit 2: Complete the unit

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Review by starting from random measures.

2. Make sure the the peak of the crescendo is NOT and accent.

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

Level 3 Pieces

1. The Stormy Sea by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 3, C)

2. Sonatina in C Major, op. 36 no. 1, Allegro by Muzio Clementi (L. 3, B)

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

4. Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚💚🧡💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

March 5, 2026 (Lesson 2 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

🟩Sonatina in A Minor op. 94, no. 4, Allegro moderato by Albert Biehl (L. 3, B)

1. 🎥See new video in Newzik about mm. 17-18. Fingering change and connecting notes in the LH.

2. 🎥Also see new video for mm. 17-26

3. ❤️m. 6 LH - detached

4. m. 8: do the decrescendo

5. m. 7: detach the LH chords with a forward-motion wrist.

6. SPOT PRACTICE: MM. 15-16: fix the rhythm. In m. 16, you speed up by 2 x’s! 😁

7. mm. 1-16: Focus on making the LH softer than the RH.

🟩Sight-reading 2A

1. Prepare pages 79-84

🟨RCM Technical Requirements: Level 3

1. Finish preparing page 5 of the PDF.

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Review all technical items at their final tempo.

🟩Four Star Level 2 (this needs a bit more work before an exam)

1. Practice playback and clapbacks with your mom this week. This is sounding better!

🟩 Theory Level 3

1. Unit 2: Complete the unit

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. See the red and orange pen. Pass off next week!

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

Level 3 Pieces

1. The Stormy Sea by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 3, C)

2. Sonatina in C Major, op. 36 no. 1, Allegro by Muzio Clementi (L. 3, B)

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

4. Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚💚🧡💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

February 28, 2026 (Lesson 1 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

🟩Sonatina in A Minor op. 94, no. 4, Allegro moderato by Albert Biehl (L. 3, B)

1. See two new videos in Newzik, titled “LH & RH Second theme / development”

2. Movement:

   1. Long notes: forward wrists! Why? Helps keep our muscles relaxed and ready for the NEXT movement.

   2. Two-note Slurs: down-up movement.

   3. LH curved fingers.

   4. Repeated notes: lift wrist

3. m. 6 LH - detached

4. m. 7: detach the LH chords with a forward-motion wrist.

5. 💛mm. 13-17 LH: Block the LH in groups of two beats (beats 1-2 and 3-4) so that you form a chord. Then practice as-written.

6. Send a video of your corrected hand position, measures 1-17 (to Dustin)

7. Learn

🟩Sight-reading 2A

1. Prepare pages 74-78

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 3

1. Prepare page 5 of the PDF.

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. When you play solid triads, please have a forward-motion wrist.

2. Review all technical items at their final tempo.

🟩Four Star Level 2 (this needs a bit more work before an exam)

1. Practice daily with the two new audio files, pausing the audio after each example to clap or play back.

2. After you play or clap back one of the examples, you can go back and clap / play with the example to see if you did it correctly.

3. If you’re short on practice time, you can alternate between the clapbacks and playbacks on different days.

🟩 Theory Level 3

1. Unit 2: Complete the unit

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Gradually slow down at the end.

2. 💛Work for continued shaping of your LH melody. Try to have gradual crescendo and decrescendo and avoid accenting the peak of a melody.

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

2. POSITION IS FOCUS

Level 3 Pieces

1. The Stormy Sea by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 3, C)

2. Sonatina in C Major, op. 36 no. 1, Allegro by Muzio Clementi (L. 3, B)

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

4. Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

February 17, 2026 (Lesson 8 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

🟩Sonatina in A Minor op. 94, no. 4, Allegro moderato by Albert Biehl (L. 3, B)

1. Great presentaition! 😀

2. I like your practice idea of blocking the chords in the LH.

3. Learn mm. 1-17 hands alone, then together, 1-2 measures at a time. Gradually increase the size of your sections (number of measures) as you get better at playing the music.

4. m. 7: detach the LH chords with a forward-motion wrist.

5. mm. 2, 4, and 6-7 RH: quarter notes staccato.

6. mm. 13-17 LH and RH: see staccato markings in the music.

7. mm. 13-17 LH: Block the LH in groups of two beats (beats 1-2 and 3-4) so that you form a chord. Then practice as-written.

8. ⚠️Audio-record your work daily in Newzik and make a comment in your blog to let me know once you’ve do it.

🟩Sight-reading 2A

1. Prepare pages 67-73

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Please trim nails. 💅

2. When you play solid triads, please have a forward-motion wrist.

3. Review all technical items at their final tempo.

🟩Four Star Level 2 (this needs a bit more work before an exam)

1. Practice daily with the two new audio files, pausing the audio after each example to clap or play back.

2. After you play or clap back one of the examples, you can go back and clap / play with the example to see if you did it correctly.

3. If you’re short on practice time, you can alternate between the clapbacks and playbacks on different days.

🟩 Theory Level 3

1. Unit 1: Complete the unit

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Practice with metronome marking 112!

2. RH repeated notes should not sound mushy. Let’s aim for more of a clearly detached feel.

3. Work for shaping of your LH melody. Try to have gradual crescendo and decrescendo and avoid accenting the peak of a melody.

4. ⚠️Audio-record your work in Newzik and make a comment in your blog to let me know once you’ve do it.

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

Level 3 Pieces

1. The Stormy Sea by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 3, C)

2. Sonatina in C Major, op. 36 no. 1, Allegro by Muzio Clementi (L. 3, B)

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

4. Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

February 5, 2026 (Lesson 7 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

🟩Sonatina in A Minor op. 94, no. 4, Allegro moderato by Albert Biehl (L. 3, B)

1. Create your own Unit 8 style theory questions for this piece and give me a presentation next week.

🟩Sight-reading 2A

1. Prepare pages 53-57

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Broken chords sound great!

2. Review all technical items at their final tempo.

🟩Four Star Level 2

1. Finish Set 10

🟩 Theory Level 2

1. Unit 7: memorize info about functional chord symbols on p. 67

2. Complete Unit 8

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Come off pedal where indicated.

2. Try to make the RH repeated notes in m. 1 sound the same as they do in m. 2. Right now, m. 1 is mushy, and m. 2 is more detached. It’s ok now for these repeated notes be more detached as long as your fingers are still close to the keys.

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Please put on review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Please put on review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Please put on review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

Level 3 Pieces

1. The Stormy Sea by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 3, C)

2. Sonatina in C Major, op. 36 no. 1, Allegro by Muzio Clementi (L. 3, B)

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

4. Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126 attr. Johann Sebastian Bach (L. 3, A)

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

January 23 2026 (Lesson 6 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

🟪New Level 3 Piece Next Week!

🟩Sight-reading 2A

1. Prepare pages 35-40

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. All broken chords:

   1. build up your speed in broken chords to m.m. 50

   2. Please sit correctly on your bench. You’re getting taller, so you need to sit more on the edge of the bench with feet flat on the floor and elbows slightly in front of torso.

🟩Four Star Level 2

1. Prepare Set 8

🟩 Theory Level 2

1. Complete Unit 7 Triads

2. Please have this out and ready to review at your next lesson.

3. Any bold items: you’ll receive a test at the next lesson

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Goal is to keep the RH soft and slightly detached no matter what the LH does.

2. LH goal is to shape the phrases nicely, not strong on each note. See the red pen.

3. Speed-building four measures at a time (eventual goal is at least 108). If this becomes easier (keeping the RH and LH expressive goals in mind) then you can make your sections bigger (8 measures, 12, etc.)

   1. m.m. 60

   2. m.m. 66

   3. m.m. 72

   4. m.m. 76

   5. m.m. 80

   6. m.m. 84

   7. m.m. 88

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Please put on review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

🟪I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Please put on review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

🟪Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Please put on review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚💚💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

January 15 2026 (Lesson 5 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

🟩Sight-reading 2A

1. Prepare pages 31-34

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. All broken chords:

   1. No staccato endings please. 😁

   2. Never twist your wrist to the right or left in order to play the thumb on a black key. Instead, position the other fingers further up on the keyboard to keep your arm and wrist aligned.

2. Next week Dustin will give you muscle-builder assigments.

🟩Four Star Level 2

1. Prepare Set 7

🟩 Theory Level 2

1. Complete Unit 6 Intervals

2. Please have this out and ready to review at your next lesson.

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Please don’t play staccato RH when adding LH. Keep the soft close-approach texture the whole time.

2. Hands together, no faster than m.m. 60 per quarter note in the following sections. Do each the items below three times correctly with the correct texture in the RH. Once you get to the end, rotate back through. I understand you won’t get through all of them in one practice session. Do as much as you like! Get through all items at least three times this week.

   1. 1 to the downbeat of 4

   2. 4 to the downbeat of 5

   3. 5 to the DB of 8

   4. 8 to the DB of 9

   5. 9 to the DB of 12

   6. 12 to the DB of 14

   7. 14 - DB of 15

   8. 15 - DB of 16

   9. 15 - DB of 17

   10. 17 - END

   11. THEN…. 14 - DB of 16

   12. 16 - END

   13. 14 - END

   14. 1 - DB of 5

   15. 5 to DB of 9

   16. 1 to DB of 9

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Excellent! Please put on review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Please put on review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Please put on review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

January 8, 2026 (Lesson 4 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

🟩Sight-reading 2A

1. Prepare pages 22-26

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Prepare all items on pages 5-7.

2. Next week Dustin will give you muscle-builder assigments.

🟩Four Star Level 2

1. Prepare Set 6

🟩 Theory Level 2

1. Complete Unit 4 Scales (this is larger so please pace yourself throughout the week)

2. Please have this out and ready to review at your next lesson.

3. Please explain the rule for calculating the value of a dot when added to a note.

   1. The dot equals half the value of the note to which it's attached.

🟩Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. See all red markings in your music.

2. Learn the RH to the end. Remember to play “inside the black” when it says to in the music! This helps you position your fingers to play the next position easily.

3. Learn the correct rhythm of the LH.

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Excellent! Please put on review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Please put on review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Please put on review by practicing starting from any measure of the piece.

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

December 22, 2025 (Lesson 3 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

⬛️Etude in D Minor op. 82, no. 65 (L. 2, Etude)

1. Practice RH finger 2 alone, followed by finger 4 alone, then together.

2. Fingers should be firm (almost frozen) and the wrist supple.

🟩Sight-reading 2A

1. Prepare pages 15-20

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Prepare G Major formula pattern

2. LH when you play fingers 3-4 keep your wrist slightly lower.

🟩Four Star Level 2

1. Prepare Set 3

🟥 Theory Level 2

1. Complete Unit 3

🟪 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Dynamic contrast between sections.

2. Don’t swing the 16th.

🟪I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Don’t speed up at the return of section A.

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Pass next lesson if you can do:

   1. RH expression: crescendo and decrescendo -

   2. LH expression: much softer and less fluctuation in dynamics.

   3. Do all the rit. rall.

   4. Don’t rush any of the long notes.

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

December 13, 2025 (Lesson 2 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

🟪Etude Next week

🟩Sight-reading 2A

1. Prepare pages 12-15

🟨RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Prepare all two-octave scales (minor keys)

2. Keep wrists smooth when you play the thumb.

💚Four Star Level 2

1. Prepare Set 2

   1. Intervals - good

   2. Chords - good

   3. playback - one mistake

   4. clapback - one mistake

🟩 Theory Level 2

1. Complete Unit 3

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Dynamic contrast between sections.

2. Don’t swing the 16th.

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. Don’t speed up at the return of section A.

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. Work on curved fingers in the LH on the black keys.

2. Keep the LH legato when playing hands together.

3. Finish learning LH - hands together to the end.

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤🧡

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

December 4, 2025 (Lesson 01 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

🟩Sight-reading 2A

1. Prepare pages 2-7

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 2

1. Prepare all two-octave scales

2. Since this is a lot of items, just rotate through by setting a timer and picking up from where you left off the next day.

🟩Four Star Level 2

1. Prepare Set 1

🟨 Theory Level 2

1. Finish Unit 2 (four pages left)

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Practice the accents in the RH ONLY in mm. 2, 4, 6 and 8.

2. Practice LH alone to remember to play sloftly (mm. 1-8)

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. (music in white binder)

2. Work on even / consistent triplets, especially in the left hand.

3. Do “accent practice” in the LH triplets by accenting the middle note, keeping the surrounding notes soft.

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 2, C)

1. See mom’s notes for phrase work in the RH

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚💚🖤

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?

November 28, 2025 (Lesson 7.75 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

RCM, Level 1, Practical Exam:

Dec 2, 2025 4:36 PM - memorize all the info about the pieces listed below (List A is, etc.)

• Etude: Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) p.

• List A: Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) p. 10 of book

• List B: This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (b. 1960) p. 20

• List C: Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) p.

🟩Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864)

1. Expression very important in the middle of the piece.

2. pedal needs to be clear and don’t come off the keys before you change the pedal (down motion).

🟩Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart: List A (1719-1787)

1. See the yellow highlights - don’t accent these notes.

2. Make the triplets smooth.

🟩This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash: List B (b. 1960)

1. Practice 13-14 & 17-18 - tidy attacks on beat 3 of each of these measures.

2. Careful of rushing with measures that don’t have 8th notes.

🟩Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964)

1. Think about the tempo of 7-8 before you start the piece.

🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 1

1. Next week, test on any Level 1 technical item.

2. Since this is a lot of items, just rotate through by setting a timer and picking up from where you left off the next day.

🟩Four Star Level 1

1. Please complete all of set 7 and 8

2. Playbacks continue to get better!

3. Practice clapbacks a bit more

LEVEL 2 ASSIGNMENTS

🟩 Theory Level 2

1. Finish Unit 2

🟩 Écossaise in G Major, WoO 23 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) (L. 2, A)

1. Continue to practice with the metronome marking 53 per quarter note, especially measures 12-15.

🟩I Spy by Melody Bober (b. 1955) (L. 2, B)

1. (music in white binder)

2. Work on even / consistent triplets, especially in the left hand.

3. Do “accent practice” in the LH triplets by accenting the middle note, keeping the surrounding notes soft.

🟩Farewell op. 98 no. 4 by Aleksandr Grechaninov (L. 3, C)

Focus Tracker:

💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤❤️❤️💚💚💚💚💚❤️💚

(53 points)

❤️= 4 POINTS (+ bonus = no reminders)

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

HERE IS THE LINK TO I SPY PRACTICE VIDEO
https://www.videoask.com/f034bc97a

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💚Cranky Cat by Teresa Richert (b. 1964) (L. 1, C)

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, A)

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

💚The Lively Boy (Prep A)

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

💚Curious Cat

💚Marching by Kabalevsky

🎨 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 (🟨 Yellow)

• P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟧 Orange)

• E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟪 Purple)

• R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟦 Blue)

✅ 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?