September 20, 2025 (Lesson 7 of 8)

Lesson Assignments


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

  1. Start next week

🟨Let’s sign up for Fall 2025 RCM Practical Level 1


🟩Theory Level 1

  1. Unit 7, Pages 72-73

  2. Please prepare these pages and teach me about triads, and where they come from.


🟩RCM Technical Requirements: Level 1

  1. Prepare items in the yellow highlight on pages 7 and 8


🟨Four Star 01_03

  1. Complete set 3

  2. Playbacks need some work. MB can use the tests on page 7 of the Level 1 tests.


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

  1. Dynamics are most important

  2. look at the phrase markings.

  3. no faster than m.m. 88


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

  1. m. 16 - LH finger 2 on B

  2. mm. 16-18 - ninja hands!

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:

  • NNotes – correct pitches and accidentals (🟥 Red)

  • FFingering – consistent, effective finger choices (🟨 Yellow)

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

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

  • RRhythm – 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?