August 21, 2025 (Lesson 3 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️🖤

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

💛Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 6: pages 1-4

🖤Rhythms

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

1. Expression

   1. Please see the dynamic markings (f = forte). There needs to be a bigger contrast. RCM will ask for it!

💚RCM Technical Requirements: Level 1

1. Prepare items in the purple highlights on pages 5-6

   1. Please note the new fingering for F major RH

2. Position

   1. Keep wrist steady - avoid up and down movement.

3. Rhythm

   1. Please use the indicated metronome.

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

1. Measure 6

   1. Watch the practice video inside newzik and practice this hands alone and together, 5 times each day.

2. Measure 11

   1. Please play all notes in the LH (missing the G in the second chord).

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

1. Review with and without music, once per week.

2. Have one focus from NFPER

3. Record yourself in Newzik

4. Listen back and mark the music and correct anything.

💚Four Star 01_01

1. Finish Set 2 and…

   1. Practice with the “Four Clap backs 8/21” in the Four_Star_01_Tests PDF

💚Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

1. Rhythm

   1. Focus on rhythm practice (metronome 60) entire piece.

   2. The “swing” issue is much better! Now let’s focus on having a steady pusle through the entire piece.

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

1. Position

   1. Please watch the video in Newzik for practice instructions.

🎨 Color-Focus Practice (NFPER)

At the top of your music, write NFPER using the following color system:

• N – Notes – correct pitches and accidentals (🟦 Blue)

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

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

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

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

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

Step-by-Step Practice Flow

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

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

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

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

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

“Spot” until it’s solid — meaning:

• ✅ 3 times in a row correctly, or

• ✅ 5 total correct repetitions, then move on.

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

2. Use the troubleshooting checklist below if you're stuck.

🔧 Troubleshooting Tips

🎯 If you’ve tried to fix something three times in-a-row and it’s still not working, don’t just repeat it — troubleshoot:

• Do you need to slow down?

• Should you practice hands alone?

• Could you make the spot even smaller?

• Would technical exercises help (staccato, accents, etc.)?

• Do you need to think ahead more clearly?

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1, B)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

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

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

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

3. Curious Cat

4. Marching by Kabalevsky