2018-2019 Lesson 16b & 17;(90-m): Marina Rocha (LIZA WU)

Beethoven:

Nice transitions! Smooth everything as we spoke. Attn to details of character and smoothness.- no bumps, everything in character of beauty or intrigue. Watch thumb in RH, lead to down beat.

Keep track of where you are!

Bach:

Elegant articulation pls! Lighter thumbs everywhere; staccato not too short; detach cadences.

LH articulation more precise pls!

Scales: C, G, D 4-octaves, figure out how to sit! Both feet definitely on floor! Elbows slightly higher and more parallel to keyboard. Sit closer to edge of bench, move bench further away from keyboard. Goal 100,

Flor de la Canela- print two copies to start next wk

2018-2019 Lesson 15 & 16A (90-min): Marina Rocha (LIZA WU)

General: BOTH FEET ON GROUND!

Resume Hanon, 1-2, RH up and LH down only. Remember to lift elbows up higher at end of bar.

Beethoven:

All sections even /same tempo

Calm transitions; keep track of transitions

Start with 'hard spots': CM section; fix E LH fingering; am section LH lighter. Practice backwards in sections as indicated. Most places are soft; LH softer.

Bach: nice contrast! 

EVERYTHING lighter- it's an elegant dance! LH same- everything lighter. The short notes are not as short as you are playing them. 

2018-2019 Lesson 14: Marina Rocha (LIZA WU)

Scales: D/A/E/B, 4-octaves  @100; sit further back; thumb under as soon as you use it

Hanon: @100, 1-4 RH up only; LH down only- emphasize wrist motion directionals

Beethoven: wonderful improvements! Please go further with all mis-concerts and smoothness/character changes; emphasize 1-pulse more; as m lyrically smooth arpeggios (try to keep smooth the RH w no crash-landing on down beat melody)
B10 more lyrical. 
Huge dim @13
24: transition smooth! 
Pedal when/why (use ear, no blurring)
32: lighter RH; HUGE character change at 36
60: do the fingering pls! (321321) 

76/77 chords- transitional to next section
78- smoother- thumb under; wrist/elbow follow through higher
81- slight emphasis on downbeat

Bach: look up videos on baroque minuets (dance); everything LIGHTER, as an actual dance; everything in one giant pulse per bar (@100;104)

2018-2019 Lesson 13: Marina Rocha (LIZA WU)

Beet, Für Elise:

Gorgeous! Nice phrasing. There could be a lot more character/sounds contrast in sections. (Ex: bar 15, CM section; then transition back into am section)

Seating: bodily position seems a hair too close to keyboard- sit further back about an inch, with weight going in toward keyboard; w bench further out (sit closer to edge of bench for both feet to be balanced)

- Discussion of strong/weak beats in 3/8, esp that first pickup into beat 1; then bar 2 elegance (no "accent" on beat 1- "land" elegantly- everything is smooth/legato)

- bass line, what to bring out in LH through RH melodic arpeggio

-character of all the different sections; legato everything

-b.60: LH As much lighter; use the 321321 fingering but angle hand taller so that you have more contact w the key. RH: (~b.65) finger so that melody can be as legato as possible

-am arpeggios in RH: sit further back; after using thumb tuck it under and raise elbow position higher as you go up, to create smoothness (and not be 'clunky'); practice all at one steady tempo to get the passage without getting 'stuck'

-*there was an extra "doodle" in the pickup before the recap- pls look over!  Also pls use LH distribution as indicated; you have lots of time between all these phrases to 'breathe'; use pedal to help connect sections which need it, when there is a large hand gap

Beethoven, Minuet in G:

-Nice! What is a 'minuet'? Pls look up several dancers dancing 'minuets' to get the elegance/character of them. 

-another discussion on strong/weak in 3/4, and what to bring out/why- overall everything lighter/more "gracious"/graceful

-ALL thumbs lighter! The final beats 2-3 are offshoots of beat 1, so MUCH lighter in all those thumbs. Place the weight of your hand closer to the outside; less on the 'thumb' sides.

-b 26 elegant finish/phrasing

-b 29 articulation & pedal 

Hanon: pls work on #1-2, HS, using a slower metronome; rhythmic lift and down-up motions indicated on your score.

Will hear scales & Hanon first next lesson (will text father Sunday am for specific time estimate, ballpark 11:45-12:30 start time)

2018-2019 Lesson 12: Marina Rocha

Bach: Beautiul playing, Marina.  

1. It’s a dance! 

2. Make sure you listen to the third beat  

3. RH staccatos in bar 2 &4  

4. Bar 7 RH notes  

Beethoven: Continue the good work!!! 

1. The piece begins on the 3rd beat  

2. We don’t accent the first beat each bar  

4. Bars 32-36 RH alone practice - long short and as written. Remember to hug those notes! Also, remember the Hanon rotation technique. 

5. For performance class the piece ends just before the ‘storm’ section.  

6. Print and tape your music.  

For next lesson please prepare Scales, Hanon and Beethoven storm section. 

2018-2019 Lesson 11: Marina Rocha

 Hanon: Nos 1-5 HT. Not any faster.

Make sure you breathe with your elbows / use your arms properly.

Also learn No. 6 

Scales

C, G, D, A, E, B Major

F, B flat, E flat, A flat Major

Bach Minuet in G Major 

Continue the good work! 

Few points to focus on: 

1. Bar 2 and 4: listen to the last two LH notes

2. Bar 15: RH fingering 

3. Bar 18: listen to the last 3 +

4. Bar 27: RH fingering

5. Bar 31: RH steady 

Beethoven

Continue the great work! 

1. bars 78-82 RH exercise - 1, 2 GO 

2. Same bars with HT slow and each note 

3. Same bars bit faster 

4.  then you practice section bars 60-77

4a. Bar 62 RH 16th notes clear and more staccato. 

4b. Bars 76-77 chords. One is longer than the other. 

5. Bars 37-40 make sure you play the correct notes with the correct hand. 

Finally one tempo for the whole piece. Start at 88 - 96.

2018-2019 Lesson 10: Marina Rocha

 Hanon: Nos 1-5 HT. Not any faster.

Make sure you breathe with your elbows / use your arms properly.

Also learn No. 6 

Scales

C, G, D, A, E, B Major

F, B flat, E flat, A flat Major

Bach Minuet in G Major  

Continue the good work!  

Few points to focus on:  

1. Bar 2 and 4: listen to the last two LH notes 

2. Bar 15: RH fingering  

3. Bar 18: listen to the last 3 + 

4. Bar 27: RH fingering

5. Bar 31: RH steady  

Beethoven  

Continue the great work!  

1. bars 78-82 RH exercise - 1, 2 GO  

2. Same bars with HT slow and each note  

3. Same bars bit faster  

4.  then you practice section bars 60-77

4a. Bar 62 RH 16th notes clear and more staccato.  

4b. Bars 76-77 chords. One is longer than the other.  

5. Bars 37-40 make sure you play the correct notes with the correct hand.  

Finally one tempo for the whole piece. Start at 88 - 96. 

2018-2019 Lesson 9: Marina Rocha

 Hanon: Nos 1-5 HT. Not any faster.

Make sure you breathe with your elbows / use your arms properly. 

Also learn No. 6  

Scales

C, G, D, A, E, B Major

F, B flat, E flat, A flat Major

Bach

Continue the good work! 

1. Remember in a minuet 3/4 time signature the 2nd and 3rd bears are weak.  

2. Continue working with metronome - start at 96 per quarter beat - once you  play at least twice with no mistakes go to 100...104...108...112...116...120.  

Beethoven

Continue the good work with metronome. 

Patient practice!!! 

1. Bar 32 - 36 practice in small sections as we did together - first RH alone then hands together. 

2. Bars 78-82 same as above, small sections - first RH alone then hands together. 

Stat at 84...88...92...96...100

3. Then practice the complete piece.  

2018-2019 Lesson 8: Marina Rocha

 Hanon: Nos 1-5 HT. Not any faster. Make sure you breathe with your elbows.

Scales

C, G, D, A, E, B Major

F, B flat, E flat, A flat Major 

Bach

Continue the good work!

Please make sure you change the fingerings in the spots we talked about. 

Then practice with metronome starting at 80 per quarter beat. Once you can play the whole piece twice no mistakes continue to 84...88...92..96

Beethoven  

Continue the good work with metronome.  

Stat at 84...88...92...96...100

2018-2019 Lesson 7: Marina Rocha

Hanon: Nos 1-5 HT. Not any faster. Make sure you breathe with your elbows.  

Scales  

C, G, D, A, E, B Major

F, B flat, E flat Major 

Bach  

Please keep practicing HS slow so you can get used to the fingerings! It’s important that we use the correct fingerings.  

 Beethoven

1. Bars 65-68 LH with RH thumb only 

2. Bars 73-76 LH with RH thumb only 

3. Bars 60 -83 with metronome. Start at 76...80...84. 

4. Please practice the whole piece at 84 per eighth beat.

2018-2019 Lesson 6: Marina Rocha

 Hanon

Nos. 1-4 with metronome. Start at 84...(+4) 96

No. 5 - please learn it yourself

’Listen’ to your body / arms: release your elbows! Clarity (fingerwork) over speed  

p.s. Feel free to play RH a third above the LH

 Bach Minuet in G Major

First two lines and the last line HT

Second and third lines HS  

Steady counting, correct fingerings  

Beethoven  

1. Bars 65-68 LH with RH thumb only  

2. Bars 73-76 LH with RH thumb only  

3. Bars 60 -83 with metronome. Start at 76...80...84.  

4. Please practice the whole piece at 84 per eighth beat.  

2018-2019 Lesson 5: Marina Rocha

 Hanon

Nos. 1-4 with metronome. Start at 84...(+4) 96

No. 5 - please learn it yourself 

Bach Minuet in G Major  

HS - fingerings, steady counting. Hand position (wrist) 

 Beethoven 

Please practice bars 60-76 the way we did together (stop on each chord (1st and 3rd beats)  

Remember to enjoy your Es

 Czerny

No. 17 HT, RH when thirds, please be aware of your Right shoulder - relaxed!

No. 18 HS

2018-2019 Lesson 4: Marina Rocha

Hanon  

Nos. 1-3 with metronome. Start at 60...64...68...(+4)...84

No. 4 - please learn it yourself  

Beethoven  

Continue the excellent work!  

I would like you to first do the following:  

1. Bars 28-29 RH fingerings  

2. Bars 60-77. Please practice this section first slowly - release your RH thumb, LH fingerings. 

3. Bars 78-83 first practice Long / Short / Long the RH only. Make sure your elbow movement is only as much as needed. 

4. Play the whole piece in one tempo - the sections you’ve learned earlier might feel a bit slower.  

 Czerny

No. 17 HT, RH when thirds, please be aware of your Right shoulder - relaxed!

No. 18 HS

2018-2019 Lesson 3: Marina Rocha

Hanon  

Nos. 1-2 HT, No.3 HS

Beethoven

Bars 14-16, 37-40 fingerings! 

Bar 24 - the last three 16ths lighter/ graceful - think of the the three ballerinas we talked about. 

Bar 25  do not hold the grace notes down.

Bar 31 - please play the ornament (turn) 

Bar 32-36 please practice RH alone as we did together. Long/short, release the thumb.

Bars 60 - 83 HS and then slowly together. Correct fingerings! 

In general please be aware of your Right Shoulder!!! Also, seating position: feet always on the ground, and your back more upright.

 Czerny

No. 17 HT, RH when thirds, please be aware of your Right shoulder - relaxed!

No. 18 HS

2018-2019 Lesson 2: Marina Rocha

Hanon  

No. 1 HT & No. 2 HS  

 Czerny 

No. 17 HS, RH when thirds, please be aware of your Right shoulder - relaxed!  

Beethoven  

Bars 14-16, 37-40 fingerings!  

Bar 24 - the last three 16ths lighter/ graceful - think of the the three ballerinas we talked about.  

Bar 25  do not hold the grace notes down. 

Bar 31 - please play the ornament (turn)  

Bar 32-36 please practice RH alone as we did together. Long/short, release the thumb. 

In general please be aware of your Right Shoulder!!! Also, seating position: feet always on the ground, and your back more upright. 

2018-2019 Lesson 1: Marina Rocha

 Hanon 

(please start your practice with Hanon)

No. 1 - HS only. Remember the arm movement for each note. Please practice this exercise with patience. Slow! 

Czerny  

No.16 - Choose a slower tempo so your fingers have time to release (one note at each time - don’t hold notes down)

Beethoven  “Für Elise”

Continue te excellent work.  

Bars 24 -38 please practice very slowly. Listen to your notes clearly! 

2017-2018 Summer Lesson 3 Marina Rocha

Taught August 4th 2018

Major Scales / Tonic Chords (blocked & Solid)

1. With Sharps: G D A E B
2. With Flats: F, B flat, E flat, A flat (the last three scales use the same fingerings)

Hanon No. 1

1. Review  

Czerny

Learn No. 19!

Nos 13 & 14

1. Play these in major and minor! Have fun with them!

Time Signauture

1. Please study the staff paper I left you that talked about time signatures. Be able to teach me about them!

Fur Elise  

1. measures 24-25: please don't change your tempo! Remember our discussion about time signatures? Count in your mind first, before your begin. 
2. Careful of your 32nd notes!
3. Fix fingering in measures 30-31
4. Learn the "turn" in measure 31
5. Fix the B-naturals in measures 33 and 35.

2017-2018 Summer Lesson 2 Marina Rocha

Taught July 8th by Dustin

Uninvoiced

Major Scales / Tonic Chords (blocked & Solid)

NOTES FROM DUSTIN:

1. When you use your "bouncing wrist" make sure to have your fingers prepared as soon as you cross over or under in the scale. Do you need bouncing wrists when you play your thumb? 
2. Fingers ROUND. Fingertips full of "lead" 
3. Willow Tree!? Look this up. Fingers drape like this tree.
4. Keep fingers in a RELAXED position when you do your bouncy wrist.
5. MAKE SURE THE "KEY TOUCH" IS ON 30% SO YOU CAN PLAY QUIETLY / LOUDLY. 
6. Trim your fingernails! 

With Sharps: G D A E B 

With Flats: F, B flat, E flat, A flat (the last three scales use the same fingerings)

Hanon No. 1

1. As written - release each, use your wrists and tips

2. Long / short  

3. short / Long  

Czerny (Book) 

Nos 13 & 14

NOTES FROM DUSTIN:

1. Careful not to "scratch" or "pull" on the LH staccato notes (quarter notes). 
2. Which notes in the LH sound BEST with the RH? 
3. What can you transfer from your scale technique to your Czerny? 

Fur Elise  

NOTES FROM DUSTIN:

1. PEDAL? Hold your pedal through the measure
2. Light, delicate. 

Great with part one HT: remember not to accent the LH.  

Continue the great work with the notes in bar 24-38 HS.  

2017-2018 Summer Lesson 1 of ?: Marina Rocha

Taught July 1st by Dustin

Invoiced July 5th.

Major Scales / Tonic Chords (blocked & Solid)

NOTES FROM DUSTIN:

1. When you use your "bouncing wrist" make sure to have your fingers prepared as soon as you cross over or under in the scale. Do you need bouncing wrists when you play your thumb? 
2. Fingers ROUND. Fingertips full of "lead" 
3. Willow Tree!? Look this up. Fingers drape like this tree.
4. Keep fingers in a RELAXED position when you do your bouncy wrist.
5. MAKE SURE THE "KEY TOUCH" IS ON 30% SO YOU CAN PLAY QUIETLY / LOUDLY. 
6. Trim your fingernails! 

With Sharps: G D A E B 

With Flats: F, B flat, E flat, A flat (the last three scales use the same fingerings)

Hanon No. 1

1. As written - release each, use your wrists and tips

2. Long / short  

3. short / Long  

Czerny (Book) 

Nos 13 & 14

NOTES FROM DUSTIN:

1. Careful not to "scratch" or "pull" on the LH staccato notes (quarter notes). 
2. Which notes in the LH sound BEST with the RH? 
3. What can you transfer from your scale technique to your Czerny? 

Fur Elise  

NOTES FROM DUSTIN:

1. PEDAL? Hold your pedal through the measure
2. Light, delicate. 

Great with part one HT: remember not to accent the LH.  

Continue the great work with the notes in bar 24-38 HS.  

2017-2018 Lesson 33: Marina Rocha

Major Scales / Tonic Chords (blocked & Solid)

With Sharps: G D A E B 

With Flats: F, B flat, E flat, A flat (the last three scales use the same fingerings)

Hanon No. 1

1. As written - release each, use your wrists and tips

2. Long / short  

3. short / Long  

Czerny (Book) 

Nos 13 & 14

Fur Elise  

Great with part one HT: remember not to accent the LH.  

Continue the great work with the notes in bar 24-38 HS.