Avril –Continue with the first few pages of the Czerny book. This week, think about interpretation. In this week’s lesson we talked about adding dynamics to make a piece more interesting. Think about that going forward. Also continue to practice Auld Lang Syne (With pedal, if you have access to a piano), and Bohemian Rhapsody.
Julie – Practice our trill exercise: oscillating between two notes like this: 60BPM, 121, 131, 141, 151, 232, 242, 252, 343, 353, 454 – on both hands. Focus on allowing the oscillation come from rotation of the wrist, rather than your fingers alone. This week, I noticed that the ornaments in the Bach invention are coming along nicely. Keep it up. Also keep playing with ‘Functional Ear Trainer’. Review the baroque ornamentation chart which can be found on this page, just scroll down http://www.pennuto.com/music/jsb_ornm.htm
Kristen – Everything we’ve talked about in terms of classical and technical stuff is still in effect: all white key scales, 4 octaves, etc, and all fully white triad sequences, broken and solid. You should also work on the jazz exercises we discussed – ii-V-I shell voicing resolutions in all ’12’ keys, starting both 1-3-7 and 1-7-3. Practice singing and/or playing melodic ideas over a ii-V-I. SINGING IS BETTER because then the melody comes from what you’re hearing, and not just what your fingers are capable of. Upcoming jazz gigs: Bernie Senensky Group on February 23rd at The Rex. Barry Romberg group on February 24th at The Rex.