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?