Gerardo: "Tchaikovsky's theme": Practice with the metronome at 40 bpm. Before playing, think about the eight notes. But once you start playing, try to feel the "big beats" (dotted quarter note). Take a few minutes to practice the dynamics in the last 2 lines of the piece. "Willow Tree": Practice the A section, following the instructions given in class. Choose [...]
Francisco: Practice Ode to Joy (p. 44-45). Add the dynamic marks if you can. The idea is that you can play it from beginning to end without stopping for the next class. Practice the "Overworld theme" with both hands. Pay special attention to the second part of the song. Try to match the speed of the first part for the [...]
Gerardo: "Tchaikovsky's Theme": Practice the piece following the dynamic marks. Remember that the overall volume of the piece is on the softer side. The first phrase is always soft, and you grow louder in the second phrase. Take a few minutes to practice the sudden p in bar 16 and the jumps in the coda. If you have time, start [...]
Francisco: Overworld theme: Practice the left hand of the B section. The idea is that you have to be able to play it without looking at your hand. Also practice the bit we put together. Piano Adventures: "Ode to Joy". Since you already know the melody, pay special attention to the left hand on p. 45. Try always to read [...]
Francisco: Overworld Theme: Practice the left hand for the B section, and the bit seen in class with both hands. The idea is that you manage to play the left hand without looking at it. Piano Adventures, p. 44-45: "Ode to Joy". Since you already know the melody, on page 44 focus on bars 9-12, and always try to read [...]
Gerardo: "Tchaikovsky's theme": Try to speed it up a little bit (use the metronome to go gradually faster). Practice the pedal changes. Make sure you are lifting the foot at the right moment. Stop and listen: you should not get the two chords mixed, or a halt in between chords. "The Girl from Ipanema": Practice the song by doing the [...]
Francisco: Overworld Theme (Mario): Practice the first part with both hands. Be particularly careful about differentiating between the slow (quarter notes) and the fast (eight notes) rhythms. For the second part (right hand), practice with your hand as close to the notes as possible. Try not to move it too much from its position. That way you'll gain speed. Maria [...]
Gerardo: "The Girl from Ipanema": practice playing the bass instead of the chords. Bossa Nova bass uses the root note and the fifth of each chords and plays them in half notes. "Tchaikovsky's theme": Practice the pedal for the whole song. Start with 110 bpm, and slowly speed up the song until you reach 126 bpm. Eliam: Piano Adventures p. [...]
Francisco: Practice the Overworld song with both hands. Practice Home on the Range. Keep the count on your head, and be especially careful with the half notes and eight notes. Read p. 42. "Jump. Shots" Maria Inés: "In the Name of Love": Practice the whole song, with the rhythm added for the left hand. Do not speed up (if you [...]
Gerardo: "The Girl from Ipanema": Start practicing the Bossa Nova bass. For the A section, play half notes, changing between the root note and the fifth of each chord (i.e. Fmaj7 = F and C). "Thcaikovsky's theme": Play section A and its variant with the metronome (around 90 bpm). Make sure you practice the chord sequence first with the left [...]