January 10, 2023 (1 of 4)

Always have your iPad ready to go when I come for your lesson 😎

Lesson Blog:

your assignment guide.

Newzik:

where assignments are found, indicated in your lesson blog.

Complete your assignments in the following order:

THEORY: Prep Level

1. ❤️Treble Clef and Bass Clef Worksheets (in the spooky packet): Say and Play the notes saying “up to” or “down to.”

2. ❤️Unit 5: Finish the Unit. Be prepared to teach me about anything in the unit! Finish some of the assignments that are blank.

1. “MUSICIANSHIP: Sight-Reading 00” in Newzik

💚Czerny, No. 2

1. Set a metronome to 52 per quarter note. Play through without stopping, no matter how many mistakes you have.

2. Repeat the same as above.

3. Now place your hands in your lap and review in your mind any mistakes you made (any problem areas).

4. Play those sections in your lap (fix them in your mind first!).

5. Now set the metronome and repeats steps 1 and 2.

6. If there are any problem areas remaining, “spot” them using your music and hands in your lap.

7. When you’re finished “spotting,” repeat step 1 and 2.

   1. Keep your thumb on G in the LH.

💚Czerny, No. 3

1. Learn the RH with NFRPE but specifically following the red markings and see the attached video.

1. Baby Kangaroo by Anne Crosby Gaudet (L. A)

2. What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (L. A)

3. A Skating Waltz by Boris Berlin (1907-2001) (L. A)

4. Allegro in C Major op. 1 no. 4 by Alexander Reinagle (1756-1809) (L. A)

5. 💚Freddie the Frog

   1. “Spot” the green markings

6. 💛Dotted Half Note = 3 beats

   1. The dot = half the value of the note

Once a week, review the following piece:

1. 💜The Spooky Song

2. 💚Czerny Op. 823 NO. 1 with curved fingers.

January 3, 2023 (4 of 4) (4 in Jan)

Always have your iPad ready to go when I come for your lesson 😎

Lesson Blog:

your assignment guide.

Newzik:

where assignments are found, indicated in your lesson blog.

Complete your assignments in the following order:

THEORY: Prep Level

1. 💚Treble Clef and Bass Clef Worksheets (in the spooky packet): Say and Play the notes saying “up to” or “down to.”

2. 💜Unit 5: Finish the Unit. Be prepared to teach me about anything in the unit! Finish some of the assignments that are blank.

1. “MUSICIANSHIP: Sight-Reading 00” in Newzik

💚Czerny, No. 2

1. Practice the three colored sections. See the media attached for No. 2.

💚Czerny, No. 3

1. Learn the RH with NFRPE but specifically following the red markings and see the attached video.

1. 💚Freddie the Frog

   1. “Spot” the green markings

2. 💛Dotted Half Note = 3 beats

   1. The dot = half the value of the note

Once a week, review the following piece:

1. 💜The Spooky Song

2. 💚Czerny Op. 823 NO. 1 with curved fingers.

December 13, 2022 (3of 4)

Always have your iPad ready to go when I come for your lesson 😎

Lesson Blog:

your assignment guide.

Newzik:

where assignments are found, indicated in your lesson blog.

Complete your assignments in the following order:

THEORY: Prep Level

1. 💚Treble Clef and Bass Clef Worksheets (in the spooky packet): Say and Play the notes saying “up to” or “down to.”

2. 💛Unit 5: Finish the Unit. Be prepared to teach me about anything in the unit! Finish some of the assignments that are blank.

1. “MUSICIANSHIP: Sight-Reading 00” in Newzik

💚Czerny, Op. 823 No. 2

1. Pass off with HANDS ALONE - N, F, R, P.

1. 💚Freddie the Frog

   1. SPOT: m. 3 - fix LH 1st knuckles - keep them round.

   2. SPOT: mm. 1-2 - Connect the slur in the LH. Practice only m. 1 first, then add them together.

   3. SPOT: mm. 5-6 - Practice the rhythm in your mind first, then play. Fix the gap between beast 1-2

   4. SPOT: mm. 7-8 - fix the slur at the end of m. 8

   5. Finish section C

3. 💛Dotted Half Note = 3 beats

   1. The dot = half the value of the note

Once a week, review the following piece:

1. 💜The Spooky Song

2. 💚Czerny Op. 823 NO. 1

December 9, 2022 (2 of 4)

Always have your iPad ready to go when I come for your lesson 😎

Lesson Blog:

your assignment guide.

Newzik:

where assignments are found, indicated in your lesson blog.

Complete your assignments in the following order:

THEORY: Prep Level

1. 💚Treble Clef and Bass Clef Worksheets (in the spooky packet): Say and Play the notes saying “up to” or “down to.”

2. 💛Unit 5: Finish the Unit. Be prepared to teach me about anything in the unit! Finish some of the assignments that are blank.

1. “MUSICIANSHIP: Sight-Reading 00” in Newzik

💚Czerny, Op. 823 No. 2

1. Pass off with HANDS ALONE - N, F, R, P.

1. 💚Freddie the Frog

   1. PRACTICE starting at any measure except: 1, 5, 9

   2. “SPOT” mm. 7-8 (at least 3 practice sessions) (Notes and Fingering is the goal)

   3. “SPOT” mm. 4-5 (at least 3 practice sessions) (Notes and Fingering is the goal)

   4. Measure 8: Drop your wrist below the white while you play the A-flat with a “O” “round” finger.

   5. RHYTHM FOCUS: mm. 1-2 and 4: count out-loud first (1 & 2 & 3 & or ta).

   6. M. 3 round fingers.

   7. PRACTICE WITH THE AUDIO RECORDING IN NEWZIK.

   8. LEARN mm. 13-End

2. 💛Staccato

   1. Short and detached. The dot is always below or above the note, NEVER to the side.

3. 💛Dotted Half Note = 3 beats

   1. The dot = half the value of the note

Once a week, review the following piece:

1. 💜The Spooky Song

2. 💚Czerny Op. 823 NO. 1

November 29, 2022 (1 of 4)

Always have your iPad ready to go when I come for your lesson 😎

Lesson Blog:

your assignment guide.

Newzik:

where assignments are found, indicated in your lesson blog.

Complete your assignments in the following order:

THEORY: Prep Level

1. 💚Treble Clef and Bass Clef Worksheets (in the spooky packet): Say and Play the notes saying “up to” or “down to.”

2. 💛Unit 5: Finish the Unit. Be prepared to teach me about anything in the unit! Finish some of the assignments that are blank.

1. “MUSICIANSHIP: Sight-Reading 00” in Newzik

💚Czerny, Op. 823 No. 1

1. Pass off with N, F, R, P. (Next week we will work on Expression)

2. Continue to practice starting from random meausres.

3. When you get stuck, don’t let Evil Ear Fairy take over.

1. 💚Freddie the Frog

   1. Section A hands together. Practice starting at random measures.

   2. Learn section B and memorize all red pen.

2. 💚Staccato

   1. Short and detached. The dot is always below or above the note, NEVER to the side.

3. 💚Dotted Half Note = 3 beats

   1. The dot = half the value of the note

Once a week, review the following piece:

1. 💚The Spooky Song

November 22, 2022 (4 of 4)(4 in Dec)

Always have your iPad ready to go when I come for your lesson 😎

Lesson Blog:

your assignment guide.

Newzik:

where assignments are found, indicated in your lesson blog.

Complete your assignments in the following order:

THEORY: Prep Level

1. 💚Treble Clef and Bass Clef Worksheets (in the spooky packet): Say and Play the notes saying “up to” or “down to.”

2. 💛Unit 5: Finish the Unit. Be prepared to teach me about anything in the unit! Finish some of the assignments that are blank.

💚Czerny, Op. 823 No. 1

1. “Spot” measures 6-8, LH first, then RH, then HT,

   1. For each hand and hands together: Say exactly what you’re doing out loud first.

   2. Then think in your head what you’re doing

   3. Then do it a third time correctly.

2. “Spot” measures 3-5

   1. Same as above

3. “Spot” measures 4-6

   1. Same as above

1. 💚Freddie the Frog

   1. Learn section A hands ALONE using the NFRPE method.

   2. Look at your music as you practice.

   3. Go on to section B only if you can play section A confidently.

Once a week, review the following piece:

1. 💚The Spooky Song

November 15, 2022 (3 of 4)

Always have your iPad ready to go when I come for your lesson 😎

Lesson Blog:

your assignment guide.

Newzik:

where assignments are found, indicated in your lesson blog.

Complete your assignments in the following order:

THEORY: Prep Level

1. 💚Treble Clef and Bass Clef Worksheets (in the spooky packet): Say and Play the notes saying “up to” or “down to.”

2. 💛Unit 5: Finish the Unit. Be prepared to teach me about anything in the unit! Finish some of the assignments that are blank.

Czerny, Op. 823 No. 1

1. See “Czerny” in Newzik:

1. ❤️Bunny Hops Hands Together

   1. Follow your practice videos to the right!

Once a week, review the following piece:

1. The Spooky Song

November 9, 2022 (2 of 4)

Always have your iPad ready to go when I come for your lesson 😎

Lesson Blog:

your assignment guide.

Newzik:

where assignments are found, indicated in your lesson blog.

Complete your assignments in the following order:

💜THEORY: Prep Level

1. Spooky Notes: Say and Play in random order Alien Notes (same thing)

2. Unit 5: (up to page 44) Be prepared to teach me about anything in the unit! Finish some of the assignments that are blank.

3. (hold on Unit 6 until Solfege complete)

💜Continue to practice the letter names and solfège syllables:

1. Choose 4 different starting points.

2. You can pause shortly between each one.

3. Practice bowing before and after

   1. Smile, make eye contact with the audience (3 seconds)

   2. Bow from the hip. 3 seconds.

   3. Back up for 3 seconds. SMILE

“MUSICIANSHIP: Sight-Reading 00” in Newzik

1. Do Middle C March Day 2 and 3

Czerny, Op. 823 No. 1

1. See “Czerny” in Newzik:

2. Follow the NFRPE chart instructions for No. 1

3. Do the squared purple boxes.

1. Bunny Hops Hands Together

   1. Follow your practice videos to the right!

Once a week, review the following piece:

1. The Spooky Song

November 1, 2022 (1 of 4)

Always have your iPad ready to go when I come for your lesson 😎

Lesson Blog:

your assignment guide.

Newzik:

where assignments are found, indicated in your lesson blog.

Complete your assignments in the following order:

THEORY: Prep Level

1. Spooky Notes: Say and Play in random order Alien Notes (same thing)

2. Unit 5: (up to page 44) Be prepared to teach me about anything in the unit! Finish some of the assignments that are blank.

3. (hold on Unit 6 until Solfege complete)

💜Continue to practice the letter names and solfège syllables:

1. Choose 4 different starting points.

2. You can pause shortly between each one.

3. Practice bowing before and after

   1. Smile, make eye contact with the audience (3 seconds)

   2. Bow from the hip. 3 seconds.

   3. Back up for 3 seconds. SMILE

“MUSICIANSHIP: Sight-Reading 00” in Newzik

1. Do Middle C March Day 2 and 3

Black Key Staccato Wrists “forward-poke”

1. Onc hand at a time, practice playing the 2 sets of black keys with fingers 2 and 3

   1. Pick up the bubble from the bench

   2. Make sure your fingers are round / curved

   3. Drop your round hand onto the keys with a level wrist as if you’re going to poke the keys.

   4. As soon as you poke the keys, pop your wrists up and bounce off the keys as if they were too hot to touch!

2. Do the same thing above but with the 3 sets, fingers 2, 3 and 4.

3. Now try it hands together!

1. Bunny Hops

   1. Practice RH and LH back and forth. Focus on wrist popping instead of fingers.

   2. Use the videos to finish learning part 2

Once a week, review the following piece:

1. The Spooky Song

October 26, 2022 (5 of 5) (=> 4 lessons in November)

Always have your iPad ready to go when I come for your lesson 😎

Lesson Blog:

your assignment guide.

Newzik:

where assignments are found, indicated in your lesson blog.

Complete your assignments in the following order:

THEORY: Prep Level

1. Unit 4: correct the last three pages

2. Unit 5: PRACTICE PLAYING EVERY NOTE IN THE PACKET. ASK YOURSELF A QUESTION BEFORE EACH ONE.

3. (hold on Unit 6 until Solfege complete)

Continue to practice the letter names and solfège syllables:

1. Choose 4 different starting points.

2. You can pause shortly between each one.

3. Practice bowing before and after

   1. Smile, make eye contact with the audience (3 seconds)

   2. Bow from the hip. 3 seconds.

   3. Back up for 3 seconds. SMILE

“MUSICIANSHIP: Sight-Reading 00” in Newzik

1. HOLD

Bunny Hops

1. Drop your RH hand into the keyboard, “hooking” finger two on C-sharp with a low wrist

2. As you play finger 3 on D-sharp, pop your wrist up to “hop” off the key!

3. Remember to have a relaxed arm and hand when you hop off the keys.

4. Repeat with LH and also starting with finger 3 moving to finger 2!

Black Key Staccato Wrists “forward-poke”

1. Onc hand at a time, practice playing the 2 sets of black keys with fingers 2 and 3

   1. Pick up the bubble from the bench

   2. Make sure your fingers are round / curved

   3. Drop your round hand onto the keys with a level wrist as if you’re going to poke the keys.

   4. As soon as you poke the keys, pop your wrists up and bounce off the keys as if they were too hot to touch!

2. Do the same thing above but with the 3 sets, fingers 2, 3 and 4.

3. Now try it hands together!

1. Left Hand Bunny Hops

   1. Watch your TWO videos to learn LH Bunny Hops.

   2. Video 2 helps with correct position.

2. Right Hand Bunny Hops

   1. Watch your video to help you learn the piece!

   2. Your LH video 2 should help you remember the correct hand position

3. The Haunted Mouse

   1. hold

4. NFRPE:

   1. Find the “NFRPE” PDF under “Charts & Guides” in Newzik.

   2. Study all about NFRPE (Notes, Fingering, Rhythm, Position, Expression) and teach me about it at the next lesson!

Once a week, review the following piece:

1. The Spooky Song

October 18, 2022 (4 of 5)

Always have your iPad ready to go when I come for your lesson 😎

Lesson Blog:

your assignment guide.

Newzik:

where assignments are found, indicated in your lesson blog.

Complete your assignments in the following order:

THEORY: Prep Level

1. Unit 4: correct the last three pages

2. Unit 5: Complete after your Halloween packet

Continue to practice the letter names and solfège syllables:

1. Use the video here to practice your solfege!

2. Standing, practice starting from any letter name or syllable, speaking the names forward and backward without playing.

3. Now, sit at the piano and play with “forward wrists” 3rd fingers (RH and LH alone, taking turns) and say out loud as you play forward and backward.

4. Remember that will take you probably three more lessons to feel comfortable.

“MUSICIANSHIP: Sight-Reading 00” in Newzik

1. Do this after all assignments.

Bunny Hops

1. Drop your RH hand into the keyboard, “hooking” finger two on C-sharp with a low wrist

2. As you play finger 3 on D-sharp, pop your wrist up to “hop” off the key!

3. Remember to have a relaxed arm and hand when you hop off the keys.

4. Repeat with LH and also starting with finger 3 moving to finger 2!

Black Key Staccato Wrists “forward-poke”

1. Onc hand at a time, practice playing the 2 sets of black keys with fingers 2 and 3

   1. Pick up the bubble from the bench

   2. Make sure your fingers are round / curved

   3. Drop your round hand onto the keys with a level wrist as if you’re going to poke the keys.

   4. As soon as you poke the keys, pop your wrists up and bounce off the keys as if they were too hot to touch!

2. Do the same thing above but with the 3 sets, fingers 2, 3 and 4.

3. Now try it hands together!

1. The Haunted Mouse

   1. wait to start with Dustin

2. NFRPE:

   1. Find the “NFRPE” PDF under “Charts & Guides” in Newzik.

   2. Study all about NFRPE (Notes, Fingering, Rhythm, Position, Expression) and teach me about it at the next lesson!

Once a week, review the following piece:

1. The Spooky Song

October 11, 2022 (3 of 5)

Always have your iPad ready to go when I come for your lesson 😎

Lesson Blog:

your assignment guide.

Newzik:

where assignments are found, indicated in your lesson blog.

Complete your assignments in the following order:

THEORY: Prep Level

1. Unit 4 (bonus AFTER you fix Units 2 and 3)

2. Units 2 and 3 - fix the red circles.

3. Be able to teach me about clefs. Remember, the word clef comes from the French word “clé” (pronounced clay), and it means “key,” like something used to unlock a door.

4. The treble clef is also called the G clef or Clé de Sol because whichever line it wraps around becomes G or Sol! We normally draw the G clef around line 2.

5. The bass clef is also called the F clef or “Clé de Fa” because which ever line the dot is on becomes F or Fa! We normally start the F clef on line 4.

Continue to practice the letter names and solfège syllables:

1. Standing, practice starting from any letter name or syllable, speaking the names forward and backward without playing.

2. Now, sit at the piano and play with “forward wrists” 3rd fingers (RH and LH alone, taking turns) and say out loud as you play forward and backward.

3. Remember that will take you probably three more lessons to feel comfortable.

“MUSICIANSHIP: Sight-Reading 00” in Newzik

1. Using NFRPE

Black Key Forward Wrists:

1. Once hand at a time, practice playing the 2 sets of black keys with fingers 2 and 3

   1. Pick up the bubble from the bench

   2. Make sure your fingers are round / curved

   3. Drop your round hand onto the keys with a level wrist

   4. As soon as you press the keys down, gently raise your wrists while you keep your fingers on the keys (this is the forward motion).

2. Do the same thing above but with the 3 sets, fingers 2, 3 and 4.

3. Now try it hands together!

4. Do the same thing above but with your 3rd finger on one black key only (one hand at a time, then together)

Black Key Staccato Wrists “forward-poke”

1. Remember “Staccato” means detached or separated (short, prickly sound!)

2. Once hand at a time, practice playing the 2 sets of black keys with fingers 2 and 3

   1. Pick up the bubble from the bench

   2. Make sure your fingers are round / curved

   3. Drop your round hand onto the keys with a level wrist as if you’re going to poke the keys.

   4. As soon as you poke the keys, pop your wrists up and bounce off the keys as if they were too hot to touch!

3. Do the same thing above but with the 3 sets, fingers 2, 3 and 4.

4. Now try it hands together!

5. Do the same thing above but with your 3rd finger on one black key only (one hand at a time, then together)

1. The Spooky Song:

   1. Review one time each week.

2. Czerny

   1. Measures 1-4

      1. Left hand, then right hand, then hands together. (3 times each practice session).

   2. Measures 5-8

      1. Sesame as above.

October 4, 2022 (2 of 5)

Lesson Blog:

your assignment guide.

Newzik:

where assignments are found, indicated in your lesson blog.

Complete your assignments in the following order:

1. THEORY: Prep Level

   1. Unit 1: Great work! ⭐️✨

   2. PREPARE: Unit 2 and Unit 3

   3. Be able to teach me about clefs. Remember, the word clef comes from the French word “clé” (pronounced clay), and it means “key,” like something used to unlock a door.

   4. The treble clef is also called the G clef or Clé de Sol because whichever line it wraps around becomes G or Sol! We normally draw the G clef around line 2.

   5. The bass clef is also called the F clef or “Clé de Fa” because which ever line the dot is on becomes F or Fa! We normally start the F clef on line 4.

Continue to practice the letter names and solfège syllables:

1. Now practice starting from any letter name or syllable, speaking the names forward and backward. So, from La to La, Fa, to Fa, Ti to Ti, etc. Do the same with the letter names.

Black Key Forward Wrists:

1. Once hand at a time, practice playing the 2 sets of black keys with fingers 2 and 3

   1. Pick up the bubble from the bench

   2. Make sure your fingers are round / curved

   3. Drop your round hand onto the keys with a level wrist

   4. As soon as you press the keys down, gently raise your wrists while you keep your fingers on the keys (this is the forward motion).

2. Do the same thing above but with the 3 sets, fingers 2, 3 and 4.

3. Now try it hands together!

4. Do the same thing above but with your 3rd finger on one black key only (one hand at a time, then together)

Black Key Staccato Wrists “forward-poke”

1. Remember “Staccato” means detached or separated (short, prickly sound!)

2. Once hand at a time, practice playing the 2 sets of black keys with fingers 2 and 3

   1. Pick up the bubble from the bench

   2. Make sure your fingers are round / curved

   3. Drop your round hand onto the keys with a level wrist as if you’re going to poke the keys.

   4. As soon as you poke the keys, pop your wrists up and bounce off the keys as if they were too hot to touch!

3. Do the same thing above but with the 3 sets, fingers 2, 3 and 4.

4. Now try it hands together!

5. Do the same thing above but with your 3rd finger on one black key only (one hand at a time, then together)

1. Halloween Black Key Song:

   1. What title should we give this song?

   2. Watch each videos below and practice with them in order. Don’t go on to the next step (part 2, part 3, etc) until you have mastered the first one.

   3. GOAL: pass off in one or two lessons from now with GOOD POSITION.

2. NFRPE:

   1. Find the “NFRPE” PDF under “Charts & Guides” in Newzik.

   2. Study all about NFRPE (Notes, Fingering, Rhythm, Position, Expression) and teach me about it at the next lesson!

September 27, 2022 (1 of 5)

Complete your assignments in the following order:

1. THEORY: Prep Level

   1. Unit 1: Complete this unit in Newzik (or print it out and complete)

   2. Let me know if you have questions about using the toolbar (the little pencil icon)

Click the Button Below for your Letter Names & Solfège assignment

Click the Button Below for your Keyboard assignment

1. Click the Button Below for your Black Key Assignment!

1. NFRPE:

   1. Find the “NFRPE” PDF under “Charts & Guides” in Newzik.

   2. Study all about NFRPE (Notes, Fingering, Rhythm, Position, Expression) and teach me about it at the next lesson!