August 28, 2024 (6:45-7:05)

RCMCP Level 2:

💚“Sight-Reading 2A”

  1. Left off on page 60 of 90

  2. Today’s Tip! -

    1. When you play quietly, it’s even more important to play with firm fingertips and an in-motion wrist.

  3. PRACTICE SIGHT-READING NO FASTER THAN M.M. 50 PER QUARTER NOTE.

  4. Please use the metronome for EVERY assignment.

    1. Identify the time signature

    2. What is the shortest note-value?

    3. Clap the beat and ta the rhythm IN YOUR MIND

    4. Study the contour (shape) of the notes and the distance between them (intervals).

    5. Set a steady (slow) beat, then begin.

    6. Don’t correct anything in real-time.

💛🎹Technique: Level 2

  1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 02 PDF

    1. Order of sharps:

      1. F, C, G, D, A, E, B

        1. Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle

    2. Order of flats:

      1. B, E, A, D, G, C, F

        1. Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father

    3. Lead with your wrist

      1. 💚B-flat Major

        1. ONE TIME CLOSE LOUD (no faster than m.m. 50)

          1. From the key

          2. Attack very strong with a forward-motion wrist

          3. Immediately relax after the attack

          4. Fingers must be round and sound must be strong.

          5. If you make a mistake, go back at least one note.

        2. ONE TIME STACCATO

        3. ONE TIME LEGAGO

💚Rhyme Time (2. B)

  1. Practice starting from any measure of the piece, including the middle of the piece.

  2. Choose a four-measure chunk. Play while looking at the music, then play without the music.

💚A Ditty of Yimeng Mountain (2. C)

  1. Measure 9:

    1. Play RH “A” alone with a forward wrist.

    2. Play the D and A (the D is soft)

    3. Back to the A alone

    4. Now add the C, D and A (remember what it feels like play the A alone).

    5. Back to A

    6. Repeat the above 5 steps with the LH.

    7. if you’re confident the above, add the rest of the measure in the LH.

💚Four Star: Level 2: “Four Star 02 00 02” (Review Set 2)

  1. Practice with the new playbacks (5) recording found in the PDF in Newzik

💚THEORY: Level 2, Unit 3

  1. Study pages 5-6 for a short quiz next lesson (Time Signatures)

REVIEW PIECES:

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

  2. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

  6. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

List A: Andante

List B: Angelfish

List C: The Snake

Etude: Detectives

Recital May 19th: 3 pm (or 1 pm if possible)

Angelfish

Detectives

The Snake

Andante

Celebration

August 19, 2024

RCMCP Level 2: Confirm next

July 26th - Mid August away.

Genevieve: during the week and before next lesson, go through each item in your blog below and ask yourself, what would I say to Dustin if he asked me “how did Sight-Reading 2A practice go?” etc. Please keep your practice journal going! Nice work on this!

💜“Sight-Reading 2A”

  1. Left off on page 60 of 90

  2. Today’s Tip! -

    1. When you play quietly, it’s even more important to play with firm fingertips and an in-motion wrist.

  3. PRACTICE SIGHT-READING NO FASTER THAN M.M. 50 PER QUARTER NOTE.

  4. Please use the metronome for EVERY assignment.

    1. Identify the time signature

    2. What is the shortest note-value?

    3. Clap the beat and ta the rhythm IN YOUR MIND

    4. Study the contour (shape) of the notes and the distance between them (intervals).

    5. Set a steady (slow) beat, then begin.

    6. Don’t correct anything in real-time.

💜🎹Technique: Level 2

  1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 02 PDF

    1. Lead with your wrist

      1. ❤️D harmonic minor

      2. ❤️D melodic minor

      3. 💚B-flat Major

        1. ONE TIME CLOSE LOUD (no faster than m.m. 50)

          1. From the key

          2. Attack very strong with a forward-motion wrist

          3. Immediately relax after the attack

          4. Fingers must be round and sound must be strong.

          5. If you make a mistake, go back at least one note.

        2. ONE TIME STACCATO

        3. ONE TIME LEGAGO

💚Rhyme Time (2. B)

  1. GOAL: play measures 8-17 with no pauses. See details below.

  2. Sit with good posture please

  3. Measures 12-13: fix fingering. RH alone, then HT, Crossing over into the page two (use two iPads, print out, double page display mode).

  4. Please look at your music. Then look away.

  5. See the blue and red pen.

💚A Ditty of Yimeng Mountain (2. C)

  1. See the green in the first two systems

    1. Focus is expression.

    2. Practice hands separately with an extreme focus on the sound - what kind of sound do you want? THink about this before you play it.

    3. Gradually bring your hands together.

  2. Measures 9 to the end:

    1. Practice rolling the chords starting with a low wrist and follow-through at the end by raising the wrist.

    2. Play these very quietly.

💚Four Star: Level 2: “Four Star 02 00 02” (Review Set 2)

  1. Practice with the new playbacks (5) recording found in the PDF in Newzik

💚THEORY: Level 2, Unit 3

  1. Study pages 5-6 for a short quiz next lesson (Time Signatures)

REVIEW PIECES:

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

  2. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

  6. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

List A: Andante

List B: Angelfish

List C: The Snake

Etude: Detectives

Recital May 19th: 3 pm (or 1 pm if possible)

Angelfish

Detectives

The Snake

Andante

Celebration

July 10, 2024

Summer:

July 26th - Mid August away.

Genevieve: during the week and before next lesson, go through each item in your blog below and ask yourself, what would I say to Dustin if he asked me “how did Sight-Reading 2A practice go?” etc. Please keep your practice journal going! Nice work on this!

💚“Sight-Reading 2A”

  1. Left off on page 55 of 90

  2. Today’s Tip! -

    1. When you play quietly, it’s even more important to play with firm fingertips and an in-motion wrist.

  3. PRACTICE SIGHT-READING NO FASTER THAN M.M. 50 PER QUARTER NOTE.

  4. Please use the metronome for EVERY assignment.

    1. Identify the time signature

    2. What is the shortest note-value?

    3. Clap the beat and ta the rhythm IN YOUR MIND

    4. Study the contour (shape) of the notes and the distance between them (intervals).

    5. Set a steady (slow) beat, then begin.

    6. Don’t correct anything in real-time.

💛🎹Technique: Level 2

  1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 02 PDF

    1. Lead with your wrist

      1. ❤️D harmonic minor

      2. ❤️D melodic minor

      3. 💚B-flat Major

        1. ONE TIME CLOSE LOUD (no faster than m.m. 50)

          1. From the key

          2. Attack very strong with a forward-motion wrist

          3. Immediately relax after the attack

          4. Fingers must be round and sound must be strong.

          5. If you make a mistake, go back at least one note.

        2. ONE TIME STACCATO

        3. ONE TIME LEGAGO

💚Rhyme Time (2. B)

  1. See the new video and audio files in Newzik. Work backward this week - from the end first.

💚A Ditty of Yimeng Mountain (2. C)

  1. Practice the rhythm in measure 7. Clap the beat and ta the rhythm. You can practice this by thinking about the subdivisions of the beats: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &.

  2. Learn measures 1-8 Notes and fingering first, then expression and rhythm last.

💚Four Star: Level 2: “Four Star 02 00 02” (Review Set 2)

  1. Practice with the new playbacks (5) recording found in the PDF in Newzik

💜THEORY: Level 2, Unit 3

  1. See the audio answer in Newzik to your question about page 7, 4B

REVIEW PIECES:

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

  2. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

  6. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

List A: Andante

List B: Angelfish

List C: The Snake

Etude: Detectives

Recital May 19th: 3 pm (or 1 pm if possible)

Angelfish

Detectives

The Snake

Andante

Celebration

July 1, 2024

Summer:

July 26th - Mid August away.

Genevieve: during the week and before next lesson, go through each item in your blog below and ask yourself, what would I say to Dustin if he asked me “how did Sight-Reading 2A practice go?” etc. Please keep your practice journal going! Nice work on this!

💜💜“Sight-Reading 2A”

  1. Left off on page 49 of 90

  2. Remember: the most important aspect of sight-reading is keeping a steady beat. Notes come second.

  3. PRACTICE SIGHT-READING NO FASTER THAN M.M. 50 PER QUARTER NOTE.

  4. Please use the metronome for EVERY assignment.

    1. Identify the time signature

    2. What is the shortest note-value?

    3. Clap the beat and ta the rhythm IN YOUR MIND

    4. Study the contour (shape) of the notes and the distance between them (intervals).

    5. Set a steady (slow) beat, then begin.

    6. Don’t correct anything in real-time.

💜🎹Technique: Level 2

  1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 02 PDF

    1. Lead with your wrist

      1. F major

      2. D harmonic minor

      3. D melodic minor

      4. E harmonic minor

      5. E melodic minor

        1. ONE TIME CLOSE LOUD (no faster than m.m. 50)

          1. From the key

          2. Attack very strong with a forward-motion wrist

          3. Immediately relax after the attack

          4. Fingers must be round and sound must be strong.

          5. If you make a mistake, go back at least one note.

        2. ONE TIME STACCATO

        3. ONE TIME LEGAGO

💚Rhyme Time (2. B)

  1. See the new “Practice Audio” files in Newzik. These are meant to be practiced with - pause the audio as you go along and follow all of the instructions carefully. It will take longer to complete each one in the first couple days of practice. After this, you should be playing the section fairly confidently!

  2. Practcie mm. 11-14 hands alone, then together, several times each day.

💚A Ditty of Yimeng Mountain (2. C)

  1. Please be able to answer the following questions at your next lesson:

    1. Compare the treble clef in measures 1-2 and 5-6. What is different and what is exactly the same?

    2. The treble clef in measures 1-8 is repeated but in a different register? Where is it? Is it exactly the same - rhythm AND melody?

    3. Practice the rhythm in measure 7. Clap the beat and ta the rhythm. You can practice this by thinking about the subdivisions of the beats: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &.

💜Four Star: Level 2: “Four Star 02 00 02” (Review Set 1)

  1. Practice with the playback recording found in the PDF in Newzik

💚THEORY: Level 2, Unit 3

  1. See the audio answer in Newzik to your question about page 7, 4B

REVIEW PIECES:

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

  2. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

  6. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

List A: Andante

List B: Angelfish

List C: The Snake

Etude: Detectives

Recital May 19th: 3 pm (or 1 pm if possible)

Angelfish

Detectives

The Snake

Andante

Celebration

June 25, 2024

July 26th - Mid August away.

💜“Sight-Reading 2A”

  1. Left off on page 49 of 90

  2. Remember: the most important aspect of sight-reading is keeping a steady beat. Notes come second.

  3. PRACTICE SIGHT-READING NO FASTER THAN M.M. 50 PER QUARTER NOTE.

  4. Please use the metronome for EVERY assignment.

    1. Identify the time signature

    2. What is the shortest note-value?

    3. Clap the beat and ta the rhythm IN YOUR MIND

    4. Study the contour (shape) of the notes and the distance between them (intervals).

    5. Set a steady (slow) beat, then begin.

    6. Don’t correct anything in real-time.

💚🎹Technique: Level 2

  1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 02 PDF

    1. Lead with your wrist

      1. F major

      2. D harmonic minor

      3. D melodic minor

      4. E harmonic minor

      5. E melodic minor

        1. ONE TIME CLOSE LOUD (no faster than m.m. 50)

          1. From the key

          2. Attack very strong with a forward-motion wrist

          3. Immediately relax after the attack

          4. Fingers must be round and sound must be strong.

          5. If you make a mistake, go back at least one note.

        2. ONE TIME STACCATO

        3. ONE TIME LEGAGO

💚Rhyme Time (2. B)

  1. Practice staccato on the fall board first, then open up and play the keys as if it were the fall board.

  2. Practice with the audio in Newzik:

    1. Listen once

    2. Play with the audio

    3. Listen again

    4. Play with the audio.

    5. Stop to fix any mistakes if needed.

    6. If it’s too fast or too hard, stop and break it hands apart.

  3. Measures 13-16 hands apart, 3 times correctly each day.

💜A Ditty of Yimeng Mountain (2. C)

💚Four Star: Level 2: “Four Star 02 00 02” (Review Set 1)

  1. Practice with the playback recording found in the PDF in Newzik

💚THEORY: Level 2, Unit 3

  1. Finish pages 7-9

REVIEW PIECES:

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

  2. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

  6. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

List A: Andante

List B: Angelfish

List C: The Snake

Etude: Detectives

Recital May 19th: 3 pm (or 1 pm if possible)

Angelfish

Detectives

The Snake

Andante

Celebration

June 17, 2024

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU MUST DO ITEMS OF PRACTICING AT LEAST THREE DAYS IN-A-ROW IN ORDER FOR IT TO STICK. ONE PRACTICE SESSION WITH JUDITH OR YOUR MOM DOESN’T ALLOW THE MATERIAL TO STAY IN YOUR FINGERS / MEMORY.

Summer:

July 26th - Mid August away.

💚“Sight-Reading 2A”

  1. Left off on page 49 of 90

  2. Remember: the most important aspect of sight-reading is keeping a steady beat. Notes come second.

  3. PRACTICE SIGHT-READING NO FASTER THAN M.M. 50 PER QUARTER NOTE.

  4. Please use the metronome for EVERY assignment.

    1. Identify the time signature

    2. What is the shortest note-value?

    3. Clap the beat and ta the rhythm IN YOUR MIND

    4. Study the contour (shape) of the notes and the distance between them (intervals).

    5. Set a steady (slow) beat, then begin.

    6. Don’t correct anything in real-time.

💚🎹Technique: Level 2

  1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 02 PDF

    1. Prepare

      1. F major

      2. D harmonic minor

      3. D melodic minor

      4. E harmonic minor

      5. E melodic minor

        1. ONE TIME CLOSE LOUD (no faster than m.m. 50)

          1. From the key

          2. Attack very strong with a forward-motion wrist

          3. Immediately relax after the attack

          4. Fingers must be round and sound must be strong.

          5. If you make a mistake, go back at least one note.

        2. ONE TIME STACCATO

        3. ONE TIME LEGAGO

💚Rhyme Time (2. B)

  1. Teach me about the “swing” next lesson:

    1. There are three equal parts to the beat (1 & a, 2, & a, etc.) or (1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, etc.)

    2. The first 8th note equals one and two of three parts and the second 8th notes gets the third of three parts.

  2. HT two measures at a time, three times in-a-row correctly, at least three days in-a-row.

💜A Ditty of Yimeng Mountain (2. C)

💜💜Four Star: Level 2: “Four Star 02 00 01” (Review Set 1)

  1. Practice the playbacks and Clapbacks.

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

💜💜THEORY: Level 2, Unit 2

  1. Finish the unit.

  2. 💚THEORY: Level 2, Unit 3

    1. Prepare pages 4-6

REVIEW PIECES:

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

  2. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

  6. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

List A: Andante

List B: Angelfish

List C: The Snake

Etude: Detectives

Recital May 19th: 3 pm (or 1 pm if possible)

Angelfish

Detectives

The Snake

Andante

Celebration

June 11, 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)

Summer:

July 26th - Mid August away.

💚“Sight-Reading 2A”

  1. Left off on page 44 of 90

  2. PRACTICE SIGHT-READING NO FASTER THAN M.M. 50 PER QUARTER NOTE.

  3. Please use the metronome for EVERY assignment.

    1. Identify the time signature

    2. What is the shortest note-value?

    3. Clap the beat and ta the rhythm IN YOUR MIND

    4. Study the contour (shape) of the notes and the distance between them (intervals).

    5. Set a steady (slow) beat, then begin.

    6. Don’t correct anything in real-time.

💚🎹Technique: Level 2

  1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 02 PDF

    1. Prepare G major, E harmonic minor, E melodic minor

      1. ONE TIME CLOSE LOUD (no faster than m.m. 50)

        1. From the key

        2. Attack very strong with a forward-motion wrist

        3. Immediately relax after the attack

        4. Fingers must be round and sound must be strong.

        5. If you make a mistake, go back at least one note.

      2. ONE TIME STACCATO

      3. ONE TIME LEGAGO

💚Rhyme Time (2. B)

  1. Great job on learning the correct notes and fingering!

  2. Please remember to follow the blog instructions carefully. You learned hands alone to the end, instead of hands alone THEN together, 1-2 measures at a time.

  3. LH alone, measure 24

    1. Start with hand in lap and raise up to drop into the second chord with a low then raised wrist. Don’t worry about making mistakes. More important to be relaxed on the drop/attack. Don’t “throw” down onto the keys. Let the natural weight of your arm drop.

    2. Now play the first chord staccato (pretending it’s your lap as above), and land with a relaxed open hand.

    3. Repeat the same for measure 25.

  4. RH m. 2:

    1. Each beat gets three parts to the “swing.” The first note gets two parts and the second note gets one. Use number “1, 2, 3” or works with two and one syllable. “App-le Sauce” to help you feel the swing.

  5. HT m. 2

    1. Focus on LH drop and pop wrist.

🖤A Ditty of Yimeng Mountain (2. C)

💜Four Star: Level 2: “Four Star 02 00 01” (Review Set 1)

  1. Practice the playbacks and Clapbacks.

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

💜THEORY: Level 2, Unit 2

  1. Finish the unit.

  2. 💚THEORY: Level 2, Unit 3

    1. Prepare pages 4-6

REVIEW PIECES:

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

  2. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

  6. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

List A: Andante

List B: Angelfish

List C: The Snake

Etude: Detectives

Recital May 19th: 3 pm (or 1 pm if possible)

Angelfish

Detectives

The Snake

Andante

Celebration

June 7, 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:

Summer:

July 26th - Mid August away.

💚“Sight-Reading 2A”

  1. Left off on page 39 of 90

  2. PRACTICE SIGHT-READING NO FASTER THAN M.M. 50 PER QUARTER NOTE.

  3. Please use the metronome for EVERY assignment.

💚🎹Technique: Level 2

  1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 02 PDF

    1. Please see the directions written in the PDF yellow highlighted items.

    2. ONE TIME CLOSE LOUD FOR EACH ITEM

    3. ONE TIME STACCATO FOR EACH ITEM

    4. The numbers next to the items indicate the number of repetitions per practice session.

💚Rhyme Time (2. B)

  1. Great job on learning the correct notes and fingering!

  2. Please remember to follow the blog instructions carefully. You learned hands alone to the end, instead of hands alone THEN together, 1-2 measures at a time.

  3. LH alone, mm. 24-26:

    1. Play the bottom note only, thinking about intervals of a fourth.

    2. Then add the top note, thinking about an interval of an octave, then down a whole step to find the 7th.

    3. 3 times each practice session.

    4. Listen to the recording in Newzik for confirmation.

🖤A Ditty of Yimeng Mountain (2. C)

💚Four Star: Level 2: “Four Star 02 00 01” (Review Set 1)

  1. Practice the playbacks and Clapbacks.

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

💚THEORY: Level 2, Unit 2

  1. Finish the unit.

  2. 💚THEORY: Level 2, Unit 3

    1. Prepare pages 4-6

REVIEW PIECES:

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

💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

FULL REPERTOIRE LIST

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

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

  3. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

List A: Andante

List B: Angelfish

List C: The Snake

Etude: Detectives

Recital May 19th: 3 pm (or 1 pm if possible)

Angelfish

Detectives

The Snake

Andante

Celebration

April 29, May 9, 13, 29 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:

Summer:

July 26th - Mid August away.

💚Rhyme Time (2. B)

  1. Start learning hands alone and hands together, 1-2 measures at a time!

  2. Please follow the NFPER method. Three times correctly, each NFPER

🖤A Ditty of Yimeng Mountain (2. C)

💚THEORY: Level 2, Unit 2

  1. Finish the unit.

  2. 💚THEORY: Level 2, Unit 3

    1. Prepare pages 1-3

💚“Sight-Reading 2A”

  1. Left off on page 39 of 90

  2. PRACTICE SIGHT-READING NO FASTER THAN M.M. 50 PER QUARTER NOTE.

  3. Please use the metronome for EVERY assignment.

💚Four Star: Level 2: “Four Star 02 00 01” (Review Set 1)

  1. Practice the playbacks and Clapbacks.

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

💚🎹Technique: Level 2

  1. See the RCM Technical Requirements Level 02 PDF

    1. Please see the directions written in the PDF yellow highlighted items.

    2. ONE TIME CLOSE LOUD FOR EACH ITEM

    3. ONE TIME STACCATO FOR EACH ITEM

    4. The numbers next to the items indicate the number of repetitions per practice session.

REVIEW PIECES:

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

💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

FULL REPERTOIRE LIST

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

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

  3. 💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

List A: Andante

List B: Angelfish

List C: The Snake

Etude: Detectives

Recital May 19th: 3 pm (or 1 pm if possible)

Angelfish

Detectives

The Snake

Andante

Celebration

April 22, 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: The Snake

Etude: Detectives

Recital May 19th

💛Please sit with a straight back

💛Please be prepared to take a small quiz on anything that’s written in your blog next week.

  1. Sample question: In your sight-reading assignment, what tempo is indicated?

💚THEORY: Level 2, Unit 2

  1. Prepare pages 6-10

💛“Sight-Reading 2A”

  1. Left off on page 25 of 90

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

  3. Please use the metronome for EVERY assignment.

❤️Four Star: Level 1

  1. 💚Prepare Set 5

  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. Chromatic: please get the fingering in your mind before you start. Remember that two white keys next to each other = 2-1 in the LH and 1-2 in the RH.

    2. See the circled highlighted items and red text.

    3. 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. Please see the blue pen.

  2. Practice starting at any measure.

💚Angelfish (L. 1, B)

  1. See the blue pen.

  2. Practice starting from any measure.

  3. Work you way up to m.m. 100

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

  1. Practice starting from three different measures every practice session.

  2. Play through once with the music.

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

  1. Practice starting from any measure.

  2. Focus is on a steady beat.

💜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

    3. m. 4 with the metronome to the downbeat of m. 5, three times correctly each day.

    4. Practice with the recording in newzik of measures 9-11

    5. 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

April 15, 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: The Snake

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 4

  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. First when you practice this piece, do a practice run-through as if it were your recital. DO NOT correct any mistake but keep going with a steady beat.

  2. All staccato markings should be shorter.

💚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. Practice starting from three different measures every practice session.

  2. Play through once with the music.

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

  1. Practice starting from any measure.

  2. Focus is on a steady beat.

💚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

    3. m. 4 with the metronome to the downbeat of m. 5, three times correctly each day.

    4. Practice with the recording in newzik of measures 9-11

    5. 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