2017-2018 Lesson 28: Marina Rocha

 Note for Rami: LEVEL 3 Books on loan until the assessment.

Marina, continue the great work! Please enjoy your practice these days. Slow and focused practice, and with metronome.

General comments

Scales / Tonic Chords: listen carefully for avoiding any ‘bumps’, especially when you use your thumb. Make sure you sit with enough space for your LH elbow to move towards your body. 

Repertoire / Etudes:

First Practice the few spots we practice together. Practice with metronome, and use all the ways you already know to practice those spots - long / short, using the wrists properly, listening for strong and weak beats.  Then play through each piece. Listen for clarity, steady pulse (strong / weak), dynamic contrasts. 

Play with enthousiasm!  

 Scales HS & HT

D, F, B flat Major

B, D, G Minor Harmonic & Melodic

  1. As written with bouncing wrist for each note
  2. With metronome at 80 per two notes.
  3. Phrasing - think in groups of four.

Tonic Chords - Brocken / Solid HS ONLY (2 octaves)

D, F, Bflat major 

B, D, G Minor

  1. As written bouncing your wrist for each note.
  2. No “hiccups” for the brocken triads
  3. With metronome at 62 per three notes for the brocken (one click per three notes), and 120 per quarter beat for solid

Chromatic Scale HS ONLY

starting on D

  1. As written - fingerings!!!! Bounce your wrist for each note.
  2. With metronome - 80 per two notes

Formula Pattern D major (HT Only)

With metronome at 80 per two notes.

Ear Training / Set Exercises (ONLINE)

*Please continue with Level 3 Exercises: Rhythm, Melody, Intervals, Chords, Mix.

Please listen to the instructions carefully. If there’s something you don‘t know are not familiar write it down on a piece of paper for me to see.

Please aim at doing two exercises from each category per day. 

Vocabulary to remember

Intervals: *Minor 3rd, **Major 3rd, Perfect 4th, Perfect 5th.

Chords: *Major, **Minor 

*Major is when it sounds happy :-)

**Minor is when it sounds sad :-(

Bach Mussete in D major

Your Bach is growing nicely, Marina.  Please follow the steps below each time you practice this piece.

  1. Feet on the ground / Breathe before you start
  2. Dynamic contrasts
  3. Play with joy / enthusiasm
  4. Metronome at 84 per quarter beat.  

Clementi Sonatina in C major, first movement

  1. Practice LH Alone with metronome in the following way. At 88...92...96. Include the dynamics and character!
  2. Practice RH Alone with metronome in the following way. At 88...92...96. Include the dynamics and character!
  3. HT with mentronome at 88...92...96.

Kabalevsky Clowns

Continue the excellent work. Practice the end few times by itself. Continue to listen to yourself while playing as you did during your lesson.

  1. Feet on the ground / Breathe before you start

Burgmuller Arabesque

Sounds good, Marina.

  1. Feet on the ground / Breathe before you start
  2. Dynamic contrasts
  3. With more mystery...
  4. metronome at 104 per quarter beat

Czerny Etude in F major

Continue the same way - slow practice. Exaggerating everything - staccato, legato, rests, dynamics. Also remember we have three counts - strong - weak - weak. Please practice with metronome at 180 per quarter beat.