Ezra
Recommended minutes to practice: 15-20 minutes every other day
What to practice: Major scales (C, G, D) & the song “Windmill” (RH only for now)
How to practice it most effectively: Practice with a metronome if possible (you can find one online if you don’t have a physical one) set to a slow speed (approx 56 BPM)
How parents can support practice: encourage to find a consistent time every other day to practice (e.g. before/after dinner, before/after finishing school homework) & encourage to practice small sections before piecing together the entire song!
Samara
Recommended minutes to practice: 20-25 minutes every other day
What to practice: Major scales (C), chords (in root position) for song “When I was your man,” and the song “Firefly” first half only. Write down musical ideas as they occur; it’s ok to write them with letters for now – we will eventually get it all on staff paper!
How to practice it most effectively: for “Firefly”, do each hand separately first, and then try to put together. For “When I was your man,” practice the chords and singing with the song on Youtube at 1/2 speed, and then full speed.
How parents can support practice: encourage to practice “firefly” and improve sight-reading abilites. Encourage to write down musical ideas as they surface because this can be used for songwriting material!
Melody
Recommended minutes to practice: 15-20 minutes every other day
What to practice: “Fur Elise” first section (RH only).
How to practice it most effectively: Practice slowly, in sections. Make sure to refer to your music along the way. It’s okay to look down at the keys, especially when you are learning and starting to understand the patterns in this piece! The music is there as a guide in case you get confused at any point – the notes are all there :)
How parents can support practice: encourage to find a consistent time every other day to practice (e.g. before/after dinner, before/after finishing school homework) & encourage to practice small sections. Repetition is key!
Kevin
Recommended minutes to practice: 15-20 every day or 20-30 minutes every other day
What to practice: Major scales (C, G, D) and accompanying relative minors (Am, Em *hold off on Bm for now) & the song “Enjoy the silence” (chords left hand, melody right hand)
How to practice it most effectively: repetition – also optional to practice along with recording (or listen to recording beforehand) to understand the pacing of chords and melody.
Carol
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15 min/day
What to practice: warm-ups (lip trills, meow’s, breathing – sips of breath and exhale tsss)
Sing along with recording of “Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac (focus on chorus) – nice open ‘ah’ and supported breathing :)
How to practice it most effectively: Find a time that works for you each day to practice warm-ups. Allow yourself to get into the physicality of singing; relaxed body posture (especially relaxed shoulders, neck, and chest area) and focused breathing in belly and rib cage.