Hello everyone! Great seeing you all this week. Here are notes for your lessons:

Eva

What we learned/reviewed in lesson: 

  • Reviewing finger numbers on both left hand and right hand
  • Rhythm playback
  • Black keys — counted 7 groups of two and 7 groups of 3!
  • Hand position, soft “c” shape
  • Reviewed pages 10-13 (Faber Primer), play through pages 15 and 16

Recommended minutes to practice:10-15 minutes on weekdays

What to practice:

  • Review Left and Right hand number patterns; practice recalling which finger is which number (thumbs are always number 1!). Try playing through some of the patterns on a flat surface (does not have to be at keyboard)
  • Look through pages 16, 17, and 19 (from Faber Primer); try reading out the numbers, matching it with fingers, and eventually on the (black) keys of the keyboard
  • This pdf has the pages we played through last week and some tips for sitting at the piano and hand shape at the end

How to practice efficiently: 

  • Review our hand position, is it in the soft “c” shape? Give hands a gentle shake (like we’re flicking off water) to release any tension
  • Always double check your hands! Check with the music: if we are looking at the R.H. (Right Hand) line, are we making sure that it’s the Right Hand that’s playing? Same for finger numbers. 
  • Make sure to have fun!

How can caregivers support practice: 

  • Practice recalling finger numbers on Left and Right hand, can double check with the image we drew at our first lesson 
  • When Eva practices, check hands to make sure they aren’t curled up/tense. Shake out tension and reset to the soft “c” position

 

Greta

What we learned/reviewed in lesson:

  • Treble clef: notes in spaces (FACE), notes on lines (Every Good Bat Deserves Fruit)
  • Bass clef: notes in the spaces (All Cows Eat Grass), notes on lines (Good Bats Deserve Fruit Always)
  • Dynamic ranges (pp p mp mf f ff; pianissimo, piano, mezzo piano, mezzo forte, forte fortissimo)
  • Great sight reading today! 
  • Review of (piece), playing around with dynamics/shaping the phrases

What to practice:

  • Start Amber Moon and/or Bouree in D minor
  • Technique: G major scale (hands together, 2 octaves) and/or D minor solid triad (2 octaves, hands separate or together)

How to practice efficiently: 

  • Always check in with what’s written in the piece (fingerings, dynamics, tempo)
  • Look for patterns and where they come back

Have a good week everyone!