March 29 & April 9, 2024

Good Listener (need to earn over two lessons in-a-row)

Happy Hand Position (wrist above the white keys and finger number 4 curved)

Recital Repertoire:

RCM LEVEL 1 EXAM: May 29th 11:01 am

List A: Andante

List B: Angelfish

List C:

Etude: Detectives

Recital May 19th

💚THEORY: Level 2, Unit 2

1. Prepare pages 1-5

💚“Sight-Reading 2A”

1. Left off on page 25 of 90

2. PRACTICE SIGHT-READING NO FASTER THAN M.M. 40 PER QUARTER NOTE.

💚Four Star: Level 1

1. Prepare Set 3

2. Remember to practice with the TWO new audio recordings found in your Level 1 Tests PDF. One is for playback and one is for clapback.

💚🎹Technique: Level 1

1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 01 PDF.

   1. See the circled highlighted items and red text.

   2. Before you start, get in your mind - the key signature and where your 4th fingers go in each hand.

      1. Practice one time with the music then one time without

💚Detectives by Christine Donkin (L. 1, Etude)

1. Fix the purple pen.

💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

1. Curve the fingers please.

2. Trim the nails :)

3. Work up the temp from 80, to 84, to 88, then 92. Do this in in sections if needed. Always overlap phrases / transitions (i.e. measures 12-13)

💜The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. Please make sure there are no accents in the piece.

💜Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Practice starting from any measure.

2. See red pen and yellow highlights.

💜Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1, Etude)

1. Practice the first four measures with the metronome, gradually building your speed:

   1. 4 measures at a time.

   2. Start at 80, then move to 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104, 108

   3. Fix all pink pen

🖤Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 56 per quarter Note

2. Start AFTER you get beat in your mind, and then play for 3-4 measures with one or two goals. Then stop and reevaluate.

   1. SAMPLE GOALS ARE SMOOTH WRISTS, FINGERS CURVED, CORRECT NOTES, ETC.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

   1. Focus on relaxed wrists after playing long notes.

2. 💜💚💚 The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

3. 💚💚💚Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

6. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

Register for RCM Level 1 Exam by February 10th

March 25, 2024

Good Listener (need to earn over two lessons in-a-row)

Happy Hand Position (wrist above the white keys and finger number 4 curved)

RCM LEVEL 1 EXAM: May 29th 11:01 am

💚Go through your rewards cards and see which ones you’ve earned! Set them aside for Dustin to review at the next lesson.

💜THEORY: Level 1, Unit 1

1. Prepare pages 1-3

💜“Sight-Reading 2A”

1. Left off on page 18

2. ❤️Remember that an accidental (sharp, flat or natural) only lasts for one measure, and only pertains to the line or space on which it is placed.

3. Goal is to get all of NFRPE on the first try.

   1. Follow the instructions of the little characters in your music. :)

   2. Think about the shortest note value first and ask yourself how fast you want to play that - SLOW!

   3. After your first try, stop and fix anything in your head.

   4. Try again and reevaluate again.

   5. Try a third try is necessary.

💜Four Star: Level 1

1. Prepare Set 2

2. ❤️Dustin create audio for playbacks and clap backs.

💚🎹Technique: Level 1

1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 01 PDF.

   1. See the NEW purple highlighted items.

   2. Before you start, get in your mind - the key signature and where your 4th fingers go in each hand.

      1. Practice one time with the music then one time without

💚Detectives by Christine Donkin (L. 1, Etude)

1. The scale of two-flats is B-flat Major or G Minor

2. Mm. 1-4: (LH)

   1. Shut the fall board and practice measure one with “moon-bounding staccato wrists”

   2. Lift the fall board and do the same movement on the keys!

   3. M. 4 - IN-THE-BLACK

3. Mm. 7 (RH)

   1. In-the black (thumb)

4. Mm. 8-9 (RH)

   1. Practice the transition between the measures.

5. Mm. 9-12 (RH)

   1. Practice staying in-the-black

   2. Fix notes in m. 11

6. Keep hands alone until all green is fixed and above items are fixed.

💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

1. Measures 1-4:

   1. LH softer please (at least a P marking)

   2. RH make PP dynamics

   3. This will make measure 5 really stand out when the melody comes in.

2. Mm. 12-13:

   1. Please practice NOT changing your tempo from 12 to 13

3. M. 19 - not so loud please. Only mf

💚The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. Please make sure there are no accents in the piece.

💜Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Practice starting from any measure.

2. Focus on RH melody above the LH

💜Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1, Etude)

1. Practice the first four measures with the metronome, gradually building your speed:

   1. 4 measures at a time.

   2. Start at 60, then move to 63, 66, 69, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88

   3. Think about the 1st beat in each measure as the accent - or your anchor point to find yourself with the metronome.

🖤Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 56 per quarter Note

2. Start AFTER you get beat in your mind, and then play for 3-4 measures with one or two goals. Then stop and reevaluate.

   1. SAMPLE GOALS ARE SMOOTH WRISTS, FINGERS CURVED, CORRECT NOTES, ETC.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

   1. Focus on relaxed wrists after playing long notes.

2. 💜💚💚 The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

3. 💚💚💚Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

6. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

Register for RCM Level 1 Exam by February 10th

March 18, 2024

Good Listener (need to earn over two lessons in-a-row)

Happy Hand Position (wrist above the white keys and finger number 4 curved)

RCM LEVEL 1 EXAM: May 29th 11:01 am

💚Go through your rewards cards and see which ones you’ve earned! Set them aside for Dustin to review at the next lesson.

💚THEORY: Level 1, Unit 1

1. Prepare pages 1-3

💚“Sight-Reading 2A”

1. Left off on page 18

2. ❤️Remember that an accidental (sharp, flat or natural) only lasts for one measure, and only pertains to the line or space on which it is placed.

3. Goal is to get all of NFRPE on the first try.

   1. Follow the instructions of the little characters in your music. :)

   2. Think about the shortest note value first and ask yourself how fast you want to play that - SLOW!

   3. After your first try, stop and fix anything in your head.

   4. Try again and reevaluate again.

   5. Try a third try is necessary.

💚Four Star: Level 1

1. Prepare Set 2

2. ❤️Dustin create audio for playbacks and clap backs.

❤️🎹Technique: Level 1

1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 01 PDF.

   1. See the purple highlighted items.

   2. Before you start, get in your mind - the key signature and where your 4th fingers go in each hand.

   3. Harmonic Minor Scale = raise the 7th scale degree by 1/2 step. Everything is the same apart from the 7th scale degree.

      1. Practice one time with the music then one time without

💚Detectives by Christine Donkin (L. 1, Etude)

1. See pink and purple pen

💛Angelfish (L. 1, B)

1. Measures 1-4:

   1. ❤️Don’t go into the black keys with your LH fingers.

   2. RH softer

   3. “Angelbunnies” means LH needs to prepare over the note in advance so that you’re not getting there at the last second.

   4. Practice these measures correctly three times each practice session.

2. Measures 22-24:

   1. Gradual slow down.

   2. ❤️“Angelbunny” from the 2nd to last note of the piece (in the RH), to the last notes of the piece.

💜The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. See the markings in the music.

💜Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Practice starting from any measure.

2. Focus on RH melody above the LH

💜Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1, Etude)

1. Practice the first four measures with the metronome, gradually building your speed:

   1. 4 measures at a time.

   2. Start at 60, then move to 63, 66, 69, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88

   3. Think about the 1st beat in each measure as the accent - or your anchor point to find yourself with the metronome.

🖤Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 56 per quarter Note

2. Start AFTER you get beat in your mind, and then play for 3-4 measures with one or two goals. Then stop and reevaluate.

   1. SAMPLE GOALS ARE SMOOTH WRISTS, FINGERS CURVED, CORRECT NOTES, ETC.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

   1. Focus on relaxed wrists after playing long notes.

2. 💜💚💚 The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

3. 💚💚💚Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

6. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

Register for RCM Level 1 Exam by February 10th

March 4 (45 min) & 14, 2024

Good Listener (need to earn over two lessons in-a-row)

Happy Hand Position (wrist above the white keys and finger number 4 curved)

RCM LEVEL 1 EXAM: May 29th 11:01 am

💚Go through your rewards cards and see which ones you’ve earned! Set them aside for Dustin to review at the next lesson.

💜THEORY: Level 1

1. Teach me about where the tonic triad comes from (scale)

2. Unit 8

💜“Sight-Reading 2A”

1. Left off on page 14

2. Goal is to get all of NFRPE on the first try.

   1. Follow the instructions of the little characters in your music. :)

   2. Think about the shortest note value first and ask yourself how fast you want to play that - SLOW!

   3. After your first try, stop and fix anything in your head.

   4. Try again and reevaluate again.

   5. Try a third try is necessary.

cFour Star: Level B.

1. Go to the Test section of the Test PDF and practice the playbacks and clap backs.

💜Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 56 per quarter Note

2. Start AFTER you get beat in your mind, and then play for 3-4 measures with one or two goals. Then stop and reevaluate.

   1. SAMPLE GOALS ARE SMOOTH WRISTS, FINGERS CURVED, CORRECT NOTES, ETC.

💜🎹Technique: Level 1

1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 01 PDF.

   1. See the purple highlighted items.

   2. Before you start, get in your mind - the key signature and where your 4th fingers go in each hand.

   3. Harmonic Minor Scale = raise the 7th scale degree by 1/2 step. Everything is the same apart from the 7th scale degree.

💚Detectives by Christine Donkin (L. 1, Etude)

1. See pink and purple pen

💛Angelfish (L. 1, B)

1. Measures 1-4:

   1. ❤️Don’t go into the black keys with your LH fingers.

   2. RH softer

   3. “Angelbunnies” means LH needs to prepare over the note in advance so that you’re not getting there at the last second.

   4. Practice these measures correctly three times each practice session.

2. Measures 22-24:

   1. Gradual slow down.

   2. ❤️“Angelbunny” from the 2nd to last note of the piece (in the RH), to the last notes of the piece.

💚The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. See the markings in the music.

💜Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Practice starting from any measure.

2. Focus on RH melody above the LH

💛Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1, Etude)

1. Practice the first four measures with the metronome, gradually building your speed:

   1. 4 measures at a time.

   2. Start at 60, then move to 63, 66, 69, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88

   3. Think about the 1st beat in each measure as the accent - or your anchor point to find yourself with the metronome.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

   1. Focus on relaxed wrists after playing long notes.

2. 💜💚💚 The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

3. 💚💚💚Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

6. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

Register for RCM Level 1 Exam by February 10th

February 29, 2024

Studio Class: Sunday, March 10th, 2 pm, at National Opera Center

Cards:

Good Listener (need to earn over two lessons in-a-row)

Happy Hand Position (wrist above the white keys and finger number 4 curved)

RCM LEVEL 1 EXAM: May 29th 11:01 am

💚Go through your rewards cards and see which ones you’ve earned! Set them aside for Dustin to review at the next lesson.

💚THEORY: Level 1

1. Teach me about where the tonic triad comes from (scale)

2. Unit 8

💚“Sight-Reading 2A”

1. Left off on page 14

2. Goal is to get all of NFRPE on the first try.

   1. Follow the instructions of the little characters in your music. :)

   2. Think about the shortest note value first and ask yourself how fast you want to play that - SLOW!

   3. After your first try, stop and fix anything in your head.

   4. Try again and reevaluate again.

   5. Try a third try is necessary.

💚Four Star: Level B.

1. Go to the Test section of the Test PDF and practice the playbacks and clap backs.

💚Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 56 per quarter Note

2. Start AFTER you get beat in your mind, and then play for 3-4 measures with one or two goals. Then stop and reevaluate.

   1. SAMPLE GOALS ARE SMOOTH WRISTS, FINGERS CURVED, CORRECT NOTES, ETC.

💚🎹Technique: Level 1

1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 01 PDF.

   1. See the purple highlighted items.

   2. Before you start, get in your mind - the key signature and where your 4th fingers go in each hand.

   3. Harmonic Minor Scale = raise the 7th scale degree by 1/2 step. Everything is the same apart from the 7th scale degree.

💜Detectives by Christine Donkin (L. 1, Etude)

1. Start with Dustin on Monday

❤️Angelfish (L. 1, B)

1. Measures 1-4 and whenever you cross over, lift your wrist and elbow a bit more so you can create more room for your RH.

2. Mm. 5-8, and 9-12 crescendoing and decrescendo

   1. Start with LH - focus on crescendo and decrescendo smoothly.

   2. Then RH - only playing pp

   3. Then together.

3. Measures 17-20: Practice hands alone then together.

💛The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. Practice with the audio in Newzik. Please fix all green pen.

💜Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Practice starting from any measure.

2. Focus on RH melody above the LH

💜Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1, Etude)

1. When you change your pedal, make sure the “down” movement is immediately after the “up” movement.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

   1. Focus on relaxed wrists after playing long notes.

2. 💜💚💚 The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

3. 💚💚💚Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

6. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

Register for RCM Level 1 Exam by February 10th

February 19, 2024

RCM LEVEL 1 EXAM: May 29th 11:01 am

💚Go through your rewards cards and see which ones you’ve earned! Set them aside for Dustin to review at the next lesson.

💚THEORY: Level 1

1. Unit 7 Prepare pages 1-4

   1. Teach me about the tonic triad

❤️“Sight-Reading 2A”

1. Left off on page 11

2. Goal is to get all of NFRPE on the first try.

   1. Follow the instructions of the little characters in your music. :)

   2. Think about the shortest note value first and ask yourself how fast you want to play that - SLOW!

   3. After your first try, stop and fix anything in your head.

   4. Try again and reevaluate again.

   5. Try a third try is necessary.

💚Four Star: Level B.

1. Go to the Test section of the Test PDF and practice the playbacks and clap backs.

💚Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 56 per quarter Note

2. Start AFTER you get beat in your mind, and then play for 3-4 measures with one or two goals. Then stop and reevaluate.

   1. SAMPLE GOALS ARE SMOOTH WRISTS, FINGERS CURVED, CORRECT NOTES, ETC.

❤️🎹Technique: Level 1

1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 01 PDF.

   1. See the purple highlighted items.

   2. Before you start, get in your mind - the key signature and where your 4th fingers go in each hand.

❤️Angelfish (L. 1)

1. Measures 1-4 and whenever you cross over, lift your wrist and elbow a bit more so you can create more room for your RH.

2. Mm. 5-8, and 9-12 crescendoing and decrescendo

   1. Start with LH - focus on crescendo and decrescendo smoothly.

   2. Then RH - only playing pp

   3. Then together.

3. Measures 17-20: Practice hands alone then together.

💛The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. Practice with the audio in Newzik. Please fix all green pen.

💜Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Practice starting from any measure.

2. Focus on RH melody above the LH

💜Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. When you change your pedal, make sure the “down” movement is immediately after the “up” movement.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

   1. Focus on relaxed wrists after playing long notes.

2. 💜💚💚 The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

3. 💚💚💚Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

6. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

Register for RCM Level 1 Exam by February 10th

February 13, 2024

RCM LEVEL 1 EXAM: May 29th 11:01 am

💚Go through your rewards cards and see which ones you’ve earned! Set them aside for Dustin to review at the next lesson.

💜THEORY: Level 1

1. Unit 6 (prepare 1-4) - check with Judith

2. Finish page 7

💜“Sight-Reading 2A”

1. Left off on page 11

2. Goal is to get all of NFRPE on the first try.

   1. Follow the instructions of the little characters in your music. :)

   2. Think about the shortest note value first and ask yourself how fast you want to play that - SLOW!

   3. After your first try, stop and fix anything in your head.

   4. Try again and reevaluate again.

   5. Try a third try is necessary.

💜💛Four Star: Level B.

1. Go to the Test section of the Test PDF and practice the playbacks and clap backs.

💚Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 56 per quarter Note

2. Start AFTER you get beat in your mind, and then play for 3-4 measures with one or two goals. Then stop and reevaluate.

   1. SAMPLE GOALS ARE SMOOTH WRISTS, FINGERS CURVED, CORRECT NOTES, ETC.

💚🎹Technique: Level 1

1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 01 PDF.

   1. See the purple highlighted items.

💚Angelfish (L. 1)

1. Measures 1-4 and whenever you cross over, lift your wrist and elbow a bit more so you can create more room for your RH.

2. Mm. 5-8, and 9-12 crescendoing and decrescendo

   1. Start with LH - focus on crescendo and decrescendo smoothly.

   2. Then RH - only playing pp

   3. Then together.

3. Page 2 - see dynamics in red

❤️The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. For Every Two-Four Measures:

   1. ❤️Set metronome to 72 = quarter note

   2. See the new markings in blue.

💚Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Practice starting from any measure.

2. Focus on RH melody above the LH

💚Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. When you change your pedal, make sure the “down” movement is immediately after the “up” movement.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

   1. Focus on relaxed wrists after playing long notes.

2. 💜💚💚 The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

3. 💚💚💚Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

6. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

Register for RCM Level 1 Exam by February 10th

February 5, 2024

❤️❤️Bring Reward Cards Next Time Dustin

💚THEORY: Level 1

1. Unit 6 (prepare 1-4)

💚“Sight-Reading 2A”

1. Left off on page 11

2. Goal is to get all of NFRPE on the first try.

   1. Follow the instructions of the little characters in your music. :)

   2. Think about the shortest note value first and ask yourself how fast you want to play that - SLOW!

   3. After your first try, stop and fix anything in your head.

   4. Try again and reevaluate again.

   5. Try a third try is necessary.

💛Four Star: Level B.

1. Go to the Test section of the Test PDF and practice the playbacks and clap backs.

💜Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 80 per 8th note.

2. STRAIGHT BACK AND LEAN SLIGHTLY FORWARD WITH YOUR CHEST LEADING

3. RIGHT SHOULDER DOWN AND RELAXED

4. RH FINGERS CURVED

5. Listen to the metronome first to get two notes per tick in your mind

6. TIDY ATTACKS (hands exactly together)

7. CURVED FINGERS

   1. Roll the dice and coordinate a number you roll for what type of practice you do

      1. For example: 1 = crescendo to the top and decrescendo to the bottom

      2. Could

💜🎹Technique: Level 1

1. See the RCM Syllabus PDF with the red circles and practice the items.

   1. See RCM LEvel 1 Technique

      1. Page 19

         1. Sound should be approx. mf and legato.

         2. m.m. 40 per quarter note (per triplet).

         3. ❤️Before you start, count out loud “1 and a 2 and a 3 and a 4 and a” and then start.

🖤(no assignment)CZERNY Op. 823 No. 4

💚Angelfish (L. 1)

1. Learn until the end of the page (at least). Remember to focus on NFRPE

💚The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. For Every Two-Four Meausres:

   1. Set metronome to 72 = quarter note

   2. Focus on dynamics - exaggerate all of them.

   3. Three times correctly for each section of two measures.

💚Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Practice starting from any measure.

2. Focus on RH melody above the LH

💚Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. When you change your pedal, make sure the “down” movement is immediately after the “up” movement.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💜Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

2. 💚💛The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

3. 💚💚💚Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

6. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

Register for RCM Level 1 Exam by February 10th

January 29, 2024

❤️Bring Reward Cards Next Time Dustin

💜THEORY: Level 1

1. Unit 5 (review pages 1-5 with Judith)

2. Finish Unit 5 (pages 6-End

   1. Read the instructions carefully

   2. Complete for next lesson.

   3. Be able to teach me about any items in the chapter.

❤️“Sight-Reading 2A”

1. Left off on page 8

2. Goal is to get all of NFRPE on the first try.

   1. Think about the shortest note value first and ask yourself how fast you want to play that - SLOW!

   2. After your first try, stop and fix anything in your head.

   3. Try again and reevaluate again.

   4. Try a third try is necessary.

💛Four Star: Level B.

1. Go to the Test section of the Test PDF and practice the playbacks and clap backs.

💚Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 80 per 8th note.

2. STRAIGHT BACK AND LEAN SLIGHTLY FORWARD WITH YOUR CHEST LEADING

3. RIGHT SHOULDER DOWN AND RELAXED

4. RH FINGERS CURVED

5. Listen to the metronome first to get two notes per tick in your mind

6. TIDY ATTACKS (hands exactly together)

7. CURVED FINGERS

   1. Roll the dice and coordinate a number you roll for what type of practice you do

      1. For example: 1 = crescendo to the top and decrescendo to the bottom

      2. Could

💚🎹Technique: Level 1

1. See the RCM Syllabus PDF with the red circles and practice the items.

   1. 1. Page 19

         1. Sound should be approx. mf and legato.

         2. m.m. 40 per quarter note (per triplet).

         3. ❤️Before you start, count out loud “1 and a 2 and a 3 and a 4 and a” and then start.

🖤(no assignment)CZERNY Op. 823 No. 4

💜Angelfish (L. 1)

💚The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. For Every Two Meausres:

   1. Set metronome to 72 = quarter note

   2. Focus on dynamics - exaggerate all of them.

   3. Three times correctly for each section of two measures.

💜Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Continue memorization

2. See the new markings in Newzik

💜Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. Focus on pedaling - keeping heel on the floor. Shoulder (right shoulder) down.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💜Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

2. 💚💛The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

3. 💚💚💚Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

6. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

January 22, 2024

💚THEORY: Level 1

1. Unit 5 (review pages 1-5 with Judith)

2. Finish Unit 5 (pages 6-End

   1. Read the instructions carefully

   2. Complete for next lesson.

   3. Be able to teach me about any items in the chapter.

💛“Sight-Reading 2A”

1. Left off on page 8

2. Goal is to get all of NFRPE on the first try.

   1. Think about the shortest note value first and ask yourself how fast you want to play that - SLOW!

   2. After your first try, stop and fix anything in your head.

   3. Try again and reevaluate again.

   4. Try a third try is necessary.

💚Four Star: Level B.

1. Go to the Test section of the Test PDF and practice the playbacks and clap backs.

💜Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 80 per 8th note.

2. Listen to the metronome first to get two note per tick in your mind

3. TIDY ATTACKS (hands exactly together)

4. CURVED FINGERS

   1. Roll the dice and coordinate a number you roll for what type of practice you do

      1. For example: 1 = crescendo to the top and decrescendo to the bottom

      2. Could

💚🎹Technique: Prep B

1. Level 1 Technique next week.

2. See the PDF with the yellow highlights and practice the items.

   1. Practice saying the name of the key signature and what sharp or flat is in it.

   2. Page 8 of 9: G Major Scale - 3 times in-a-row correctly each practice session.

   3. Page 9 of 9: all of it - 3 times in-a-row correctly each practice session.

      1. Prepare C Major and G Major And A minor

         1. ❤️Sound should be approx. mf and legato.

         2. m.m. 40 per quarter note (per triplet).

         3. Before you start, count out loud “1 and a 2 and a 3 and a 4 and a” and then start.

🖤(no assignment)CZERNY Op. 823 No. 4

Angelfish (L. 1)

💛The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. Listen to the recording in Newzik every day (for expression).

2. Fix your notes / tidy attacks.

💚Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Continue memorization

2. See the new markings in Newzik

💚Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. Focus on pedaling - keeping heel on the floor. Shoulder (right shoulder) down.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

2. 💚💜The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

3. 💚💚💜Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

6. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

January 4, 12 & 19, 2024

💜THEORY: Level 1

1. Finish Unit 5

   1. Read the instructions carefully

   2. Complete for next lesson.

   3. Be able to teach me about any items in the chapter.

💜“Sight-Reading 2A”

1. See your new PDF in newzik and start from page 3. Follow the instructions below for sight-reading.

2. Let me know if this is too difficult and we’ll go back a level

💚Four Star: Level B.

1. Go to the Test section of the Test PDF and practice the playbacks and clap backs.

💜Czerny Op. 599 No. 12 - resume with Dustin

1. Speed-building: measures 5-8

   1. Very slowly at first, gradually build your tempo to a fast pace.

   2. Start at m.m. 72 and build 126 = quarter note.

   3. Focus on keeping a soft sound

   4. Remember curved fingers.

💜Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 80 per 8th note.

2. Listen to the metronome first to get two note per tick in your mind

3. TIDY ATTACKS (hands exactly together)

4. CURVED FINGERS

5. WORK ON YOUR TRANSITION AND ENDING

💚🎹Technique: Prep B

1. Level 1 Technique next week.

2. See the PDF with the yellow highlights and practice the items.

   1. Practice saying the

   2. Page 8 of 9: G Major Scale

   3. Page 9 of 9: all of it.

      1. Prepare C Major and G Major And A minor

         1. Sound should be approx. mf and legato.

         2. m.m. 40 per quarter note (per triplet).

         3. Before you start, count out loud “1 and a 2 and a 3 and a 4 and a” and then start.

🖤(no assignment)CZERNY Op. 823 No. 4

Angelfish (L. 1)

💜The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. Focus on expression and hands together.

💚Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Continue memorization

2. See the new markings in Newzik

💜Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. Measures 14 and 16: drop into the key and pop off the keyboard with a forward wrists and into the air. The point here is to keep relaxed. Watch the video.

2. measure 12 - prepare the RH sooner for the last note.

3. Measures 11-12 - get rid of the pause between the measures.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

2. 💚💜The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

3. 💚💚💜Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

6. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

December 29, 2023

💚THEORY: Level 1

1. Finish Unit 3

   1. Read the instructions carefully

   2. Complete for next lesson.

   3. Be able to teach me about any items in the chapter.

💚“Sight-Reading 00 46-61”

1. See your new PDF in newzik and start from page 3. Follow the instructions below for sight-reading.

💚Four Star: Level B.

1. Complete Set 10

2. When you encounter whole notes, count four full beats in your mind. You normally cut these short.

3. Set the metronome to m.m. 50 and listen to it before you begin. Don’t go faster than this.

💚Czerny Op. 599 No. 12 - resume with Dustin

1. Speed-building: measures 5-8

   1. Very slowly at first, gradually build your tempo to a fast pace.

   2. Start at m.m. 72 and build 126 = quarter note.

   3. Focus on keeping a soft sound

   4. Remember curved fingers.

❤️Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 76 per 8th note.

2. Listen to the metronome first to get two note per tick in your mind

3. Play legato and raise your wrists with the contour of the notes.

❤️Technique: Prep B

1. See the PDF with the yellow highlights and practice the items.

   1. See chords on page 12

   2. Practice them blocked first, then broken as written.

   3. Remember the bottom note goes on the top if you are ascending, and the top note goes to the bottom if you are descending.

🖤(no assignment)CZERNY Op. 823 No. 4

💚The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. Learn with the NFRPE method, two measures at a time, hands alone only.

💚Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Use metronome 60 per quarter note and practice in 4 measure chunks.

2. Get the 8th note pulse in your mind with the metronome going before you begin.

❤️Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

1. Practice starting from any measure of the piece.

2. Repeat the same starting point three times if the first time doesn’t come easily.

3. Three different starting points per practice session.

💚Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. Measures 14 and 16: drop into the key and pop off the keyboard with a forward wrists and into the air. The point here is to keep relaxed. Watch the video.

2. measure 12 - prepare the RH sooner for the last note.

3. Measures 11-12 - get rid of the pause between the measures.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚💜The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

2. 💚💚💜Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

5. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

December 22, 2023

💚THEORY: Level 1

1. Finish Unit 3

   1. Read the instructions carefully

   2. Complete for next lesson.

   3. Be able to teach me about any items in the chapter.

❤️Four Star: Level B.

1. Finish Set 9

2. Find music dictation examples (writing down the melody)

3. Create audio examples including names of chords and numbers of the examples.

💚Czerny Op. 599 No. 12 - resume with Dustin

1. Speed-building: measures 5-8

   1. Very slowly at first, gradually build your tempo to a fast pace.

   2. Start at m.m. 72 and build 126 = quarter note.

   3. Focus on keeping a soft sound

   4. Remember curved fingers.

💜Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 76 per 8th note.

2. Listen to the metronome first to get two note per tick in your mind

3. Play legato and raise your wrists with the contour of the notes.

💜Technique: Prep B

1. See the PDF with the yellow highlights and practice the items.

   1. See chords on page 12

🖤(no assignment)CZERNY Op. 823 No. 4

💜The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. Start with Dustin next Friday

💚Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Record yourself playing.

2. Listen back with one or two goals in mind (notes / rhythm, etc.)

3. Use one color and identify any issues by marking them in the music,.

4. Listen again and use another color for any remaining focus points.

5. Use a different color to identify any issues by marking them in the music.

6. Now spot each section three times in-a-row correctly and erase them when finished!

💜Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

1. Practice starting from any measure of the piece.

2. Repeat the same starting point three times if the first time doesn’t come easily.

3. Three different starting points per practice session.

💜Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. Measures 14 and 16: drop into the key and pop off the keyboard with a forward wrists and into the air. The point here is to keep relaxed.

2. Pedaling in measures 8-11: during pedal changes, make sure the notes are quiet by playing them from the key.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚💜The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

2. 💚💚💜Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

5. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

December 15, 2023

💜THEORY: Level 1

1. Finish Unit 2

   1. Read the instructions carefully

   2. Be able to teach about any terms or text circled in blue

💜PLAYBACKS: Level B

1. See the new PDF if Newzik and use the recordings

💜Four Star: Level B.

1. Finish Set 9

2. Find music dictation examples (writing down the melody)

3. Create audio examples including names of chords and numbers of the examples.

💜Czerny Op. 599 No. 12 - resume with Dustin

1. Speed-building: measures 1-4

   1. Very slowly at first, gradually build your tempo to a fast pace.

   2. Focus on keeping a soft sound

   3. Remember curved fingers.

💚Hanon No. 1 (speed-building)

1. Metronome 76 per 8th note.

2. Listen to the metronome first to get two note per tick in your mind

3. Play legato and raise your wrists with the contour of the notes.

💚Technique: Prep B

1. See the PDF with the yellow highlights and practice the items.

   1. See chords on page 12

🖤(no assignment)CZERNY Op. 823 No. 4

💜The Snake by Renée Christopher (L. 1, C)

1. Start with Dustin next Friday

💚Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Practice starting from different measures every practice session. For example:

   1. Monday: LH, RH, HT, mm. 1.5 to 5, then mm. 3.5 to 6.5, then play entire piece hands alone and together.

   2. Tuesday: LH, RH, HT, mm. 2 - 6, then mm. 4 - 7, then entire piece, etc.

   3. Wednesday: etc.

   4. See the red text in Newzik.

💜Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

1. Practice starting from any measure of the piece.

2. Repeat the same starting point three times if the first time doesn’t come easily.

3. Three different starting points per practice session.

💜Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. Measures 14 and 16: drop into the key and pop off the keyboard with a forward wrists and into the air. The point here is to keep relaxed.

2. Pedaling in measures 8-11: during pedal changes, make sure the notes are quiet by playing them from the key.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚💜The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

2. 💚💚💜Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

5. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

December 7, 2023

💜THEORY: Level 1

1. Finish Unit 2

   1. Read the instructions carefully

   2. Be able to teach about any terms or text circled in blue

💚PLAYBACKS: Level B

1. See the new PDF if Newzik and use the recordings

💚Four Star: Level B.

1. Finish Set 8

2. Find music dictation examples (writing down the melody)

3. Create audio examples including names of chords and numbers of the examples.

💜Czerny Op. 599 No. 12 - resume with Dustin

1. Speed-building: measures 1-4

   1. Very slowly at first, gradually build your tempo to a fast pace.

   2. Focus on keeping a soft sound

   3. Remember curved fingers.

💜Hanon No. 1

1. CLOSE LOUD HANDS ALONE (2 min each day).

   1. HANDS TOGETHER! NO FASTER THAN M.M. 60 PER NOTE

   2. Shoulders down and relaxed.

2. HIGH LOUD HANDS ALONE (3 min each day, in each hand) m.m. 100-120

   1. HIGH LOUD HANDS TOGETHER.

   2. Remember the 3 steps before you begin

   3. NO FASTER THAN M.M. 40 PER NOTE.

   4. PLAY THE NOTES VERY STRONGLY

💜Technique: Prep B

1. See the PDF with the yellow highlights and practice the items.

   1. Memorize:

      1. C major is the scale of no sharps or flats

      2. A minor is the scale of no sharps or flats

      3. G major is the scale of 1 sharp (F-sharp)

🖤(no assignment)CZERNY Op. 823 No. 4

💚Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Practice with the video inside Newzik: m. 5 to the end.

💚Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

1. Practice starting from any measure of the piece.

2. Repeat the same starting point three times if the first time doesn’t come easily.

3. Three different starting points per practice session.

💚Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. Measures 14 and 16: drop into the key and pop off the keyboard with a forward wrists and into the air. The point here is to keep relaxed.

2. Pedaling in measures 8-11: during pedal changes, make sure the notes are quiet by playing them from the key.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚💜The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

2. 💚💚💜Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

5. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

November 30, 2023

💚THEORY: Level 1

1. Finish Unit 2

   1. Read the instructions carefully

   2. Be able to teach about any terms or text circled in blue

💜PLAYBACKS: Level B

1. See the new PDF if Newzik and use the recordings

💜Four Star: Level B.

1. Finish Set 8

2. Find music dictation examples (writing down the melody)

3. Create audio examples including names of chords and numbers of the examples.

💚Czerny Op. 599 No. 12 - resume with Dustin

1. Speed-building: measures 1-4

   1. Very slowly at first, gradually build your tempo to a fast pace.

   2. Focus on keeping a soft sound

   3. Remember curved fingers.

💚Hanon No. 1

1. CLOSE LOUD HANDS ALONE (2 min each day).

   1. HANDS TOGETHER! NO FASTER THAN M.M. 60 PER NOTE

   2. Shoulders down and relaxed.

2. HIGH LOUD HANDS ALONE (3 min each day, in each hand) m.m. 100-120

   1. HIGH LOUD HANDS TOGETHER.

   2. Remember the 3 steps before you begin

   3. NO FASTER THAN M.M. 40 PER NOTE.

   4. PLAY THE NOTES VERY STRONGLY

💚Technique: Prep B

1. See the PDF with the yellow highlights and practice the items.

   1. Memorize:

      1. C major is the scale of no sharps or flats

      2. A minor is the scale of no sharps or flats

      3. G major is the scale of 1 sharp (F-sharp)

🖤(no assignment)CZERNY Op. 823 No. 4

💚Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. Practice with the video inside Newzik: m. 5 to the end.

💜Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

1. Practice starting from any measure of the piece.

2. Repeat the same starting point three times if the first time doesn’t come easily.

3. Three different starting points per practice session.

💚Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. Measures 14 and 16: drop into the key and pop off the keyboard with a forward wrists and into the air. The point here is to keep relaxed.

2. Pedaling in measures 8-11: during pedal changes, make sure the notes are quiet by playing them from the key.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚💜The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

2. 💚💚💜Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

5. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

November 24, 2023

❤️THEORY: Level 1

1. Unit 2: Fix the red circles found on pages 1-10 of the PDF.

💚PLAYBACKS: Level B

1. See the new PDF if Newzik and use the recordings

💚Four Star: Level B.

1. Finish Set 8

2. Find music dictation examples (writing down the melody)

3. Create audio examples including names of chords and numbers of the examples.

💜Czerny Op. 599 No. 12 - resume with Dustin

1. Measures 5-8 hands together.

2. No faster than 60 per quarter note.

3. Time Signature = C - represents “common time” which is also 4/4

4. Turn on the metronome and play with it. Then turn it off and play the beat in your mind for at least one full measure before you start.

💛Hanon No. 1 (hands together next week)

1. CLOSE LOUD HANDS ALONE (2 min each day, in each hand) m.m. 42 per note!

   1. HANDS TOGETHER! NO FASTER THAN M.M. 60 PER NOTE

2. HIGH LOUD HANDS ALONE (3 min each day, in each hand) m.m. 100-120

   1. ❤️Remember the 3 steps before you begin

   2. NO FASTER THAN M.M. 40 PER NOTE.

   3. PLAY THE NOTES VERY STRONGLY

💜Technique: Prep B

1. See the PDF with the yellow highlights.

   1. A “KEY SIGNATURE”

      1. A group of 0 to 7 sharps or flats at the beginning of each piece.

      2. It’s found directly before the TIME SIGNATURE.

      3. It tells us what scale we are in.

   2. Memorize:

      1. C major is the scale of no sharps or flats

      2. A minor is the scale of no sharps or flats

      3. G major is the scale of 1 sharp (F-sharp)

🖤(no assignment)CZERNY Op. 823 No. 4

💚Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. See the new video in Newzik.

💚Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

1. Practice starting from any measure of the piece.

2. Repeat the same starting point three times if the first time doesn’t come easily.

3. Three different starting points per practice session.

💚Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. Measures 1-5 - listen to the audio (inside Newzik).

2. Watch the video above for pedal and practice how it directs.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚💜The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

2. 💚💚💜Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

5. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

November 13, 2023

❤️THEORY: Level 1

1. Unit 2: Fix the red circles found on pages 1-10 of the PDF.

💚PLAYBACKS: Level B

1. See the new PDF if Newzik and use the recordings

💚Four Star: Level B.

1. Finish Set 8

2. Find music dictation examples (writing down the melody)

3. Create audio examples including names of chords and numbers of the examples.

💜Czerny Op. 599 No. 12 - resume with Dustin

1. Measures 5-8 hands together.

2. No faster than 60 per quarter note.

3. Time Signature = C - represents “common time” which is also 4/4

4. Turn on the metronome and play with it. Then turn it off and play the beat in your mind for at least one full measure before you start.

❤️Hanon No. 1 (hands together next week)

1. CLOSE LOUD HANDS ALONE (2 min each day, in each hand) m.m. 42 per note!

   1. Never leave the keyboard with your fingertips.

   2. Pop the wrist up on the attack and strike the key from the key to create a big sound.

   3. Immediately relax but keep your fingers on the keys.

2. HIGH LOUD HANDS ALONE (3 min each day, in each hand) m.m. 100-120

   1. ❤️Remember the 3 steps before you begin

   2. Say the steps out-loud for half of your practice: “up, down, relax”

   3. Supplement the 4th and 5th finger exercise if needed - DON’T PLAY FLATLY ON YOUR 5TH FINGER.

💚Technique: Prep B

1. See the PDF with the yellow highlights.

   1. A “KEY SIGNATURE”

      1. A group of 0 to 7 sharps or flats at the beginning of each piece.

      2. It’s found directly before the TIME SIGNATURE.

      3. It tells us what scale we are in.

   2. Memorize:

      1. C major is the scale of no sharps or flats

      2. A minor is the scale of no sharps or flats

      3. G major is the scale of 1 sharp (F-sharp)

🖤(no assignment)CZERNY Op. 823 No. 4

💚Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. What is an anacrusis? = when we have an incomplete measure at the beginning of the piece, with the remaining beats found in a subsequent measure.

2. Find all the patterns that repeat and highlight them

3. Learn measures 1-4 hands alone only.

4. Don’t play fast.

5. Goal is: notes, fingering, position.,

👍💚Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

1. Practice starting from any measure of the piece.

2. Repeat the same starting point three times if the first time doesn’t come easily.

3. Three different starting points per practice session.

💜Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. Before you begin:

   1. Think about your foot / pedal position

   2. Think about hand position (less piked wrist - not too high).

2. Sit in the center of the bench

3. ❤️Pause on the pedaling in mm. 8-12 until next lesson

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚💜The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

2. 💚💚💜Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

5. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

November 7, 2023

💚THEORY: Level 1

1. Complete Unit 2, PAGES 1-10

💚PLAYBACKS: Level B

1. See the new PDF if Newzik and use the recordings

💚Four Star: Level B.

1. Finish Set 7

2. Find music dictation examples (writing down the melody)

3. Create audio examples including names of chords and numbers of the examples.

💚Czerny Op. 599 No. 12 - resume with Dustin

1. Measures 5-8 hands together.

2. No faster than 60 per quarter note.

3. Time Signature = C - represents “common time” which is also 4/4

4. Turn on the metronome and play with it. Then turn it off and play the beat in your mind for at least one full measure before you start.

💜Hanon No. 1

1. 💛CLOSE LOUD HANDS ALONE (2 min each day, in each hand) m.m. 42 per note!

   1. Never leave the keyboard with your fingertips.

   2. Pop the wrist up on the attack and strike the key from the key to create a big sound.

   3. Immediately relax but keep your fingers on the keys.

2. 💛HIGH LOUD HANDS ALONE (3 min each day, in each hand) m.m. 100-120

   1. Remember the 3 steps before you begin.

   2. Supplement the 4th and 5th finger exercise if needed - DON’T PLAY FLATLY ON YOUR 5TH FINGER.

💜Technique: Prep B

1. SCALES:

   1. KEEP WRIST LEVEL WITH THE REST OF YOUR ARM

   2. LEARN A MINOR SCALE

   3. A “KEY SIGNATURE” is a group 0 to 7 sharps or flats at the beginning of each piece. It’s placed directly after the TIME SIGNATURE. It tells us what scale we are in.

   4. Every key signature has a major and minor key with the same number of sharps or flats.

🖤(no assignment)CZERNY Op. 823 No. 4

💚Andante in G Minor by Georg Philip Telemann (L. 1, A)

1. What is an anacrusis? = when we have an incomplete measure at the beginning of the piece, with the remaining beats found in a subsequent measure.

2. Find all the patterns that repeat and highlight them

3. Learn measures 1-4 hands alone only.

4. Don’t play fast.

5. Goal is: notes, fingering, position.,

💜Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

1. Add the “p” on the last system.

2. Practice starting from any measure of the piece. Three different measures per practice session.

💚Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. Before you begin:

   1. Think about your foot / pedal position

   2. Think about hand position (less piked wrist - not too high).

2. Sit in the center of the bench

3. ❤️Pause on the pedaling in mm. 8-12 until next lesson

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

2. 💚💚Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

5. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.

October 30, 2023

💚THEORY: Level 1

1. Complete Unit 2, PAGES 1-10

💚PLAYBACKS: Level B

1. See the new PDF if Newzik and use the recordings

💚Four Star: Level B.

1. Finish Set 7

2. Find music dictation examples (writing down the melody)

3. Create audio examples including names of chords and numbers of the examples.

💚1Czerny Op. 599 No. 12 - resume with Dustin

1. Learn to the end, hands alone, then together. Focus on round fingers, shoulders down.

💛Hanon No. 1

1. 💛CLOSE LOUD HANDS ALONE (2 min each day, in each hand) m.m. 42 per note!

   1. Never leave the keyboard with your fingertips.

   2. Pop the wrist up on the attack and strike the key from the key to create a big sound.

   3. Immediately relax but keep your fingers on the keys.

2. 💛HIGH LOUD HANDS ALONE (3 min each day, in each hand) m.m. 100-120

   1. Remember the 3 steps before you begin.

   2. Supplement the 4th and 5th finger exercise if needed - DON’T PLAY FLATLY ON YOUR 5TH FINGER.

💚Technique: Prep B

1. SCALES:

   1. KEEP WRIST LEVEL WITH THE REST OF YOUR ARM

   2. LEARN A MINOR SCALE

   3. A “KEY SIGNATURE” is a group 0 to 7 sharps or flats at the beginning of each piece. It’s placed directly after the TIME SIGNATURE. It tells us what scale we are in.

   4. Every key signature has a major and minor key with the same number of sharps or flats.

🖤CZERNY Op. 823 No. 4

💚New Piece Next week!

💚Minuet in F Major by Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) (Prep B)

1. Add the “p” on the last system.

2. Practice starting from any measure of the piece. Three different measures per practice session.

💚Celebration by Ann Crosby Gaudet (L. 1)

1. Three focus points:

   1. Wrists up to poke the keys from above. Practice once in your lap before you play on the keyboard.

   2. Shoulder down (think heavy cat on your shoulder)

   3. Play with the metronome (m.m. 80 per 8th note)

2. Sit in the center of the bench

3. Practice measures 8-12 with pedal as your focus. See the new pedal video.

Once a week, review the following pieces with the music:

1. 💚The Calico Cat by Helen Marlais (b. 1966) (Prep B)

   1. Review, making sure your focus on DYNAMICS.

2. 💚💚Freddie the Frog by Anne Crosby-Gaudet (b. 1968) (Prep B)

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

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

5. 💚💚💚What’s That Noise by Martha Mier (b. 1936) L. A)

❤️ = Needs lots of work or wasn’t prepared properly for more than one lesson

💜 = Didn’t get to it at the last lesson - we’ll start with this before 💛 or 💚

💛 = Doing the assignment but needs special attention

💚 - On track and do the assignment.

2023 Fall Milestones

1. RCM Level B Exam in the Fall? Or Level 1 in the Spring.