Jack

We continued working on Imperial March on the xylophone, but this time with a note reading component added to it. We start learning about the staff in treble clef, and drawing a connection between the keyboard and the staff. Together we notated the first phrase of the march on the staff, and will try learn more melodies, building that connection and rudimentary note reading skill.

Adam

I have assigned two new two bar phrases pattern for Adam to work on in the Drumset Musician book, as well as worked through the first page of Under the Bridge with him. Despite having no access to the drum set at home, Adam has a strong memory of the pattern, and was able to play through big chunks. The only pattern that needs slight reminding, is a pre-chorus drum solo, that has the rhythm “blue berry” starting it. We will work on to second page next week.

Jonah

We continue our journey through orchestral excerpts, working on the main excerpt of American in Paris. I emphasise the importance of getting it right the first time with Jonah for audition purposes, and how to mentally prepare for such occasions. We also slightly dipped into Shostakovich Symphony no 10 looking at the snare drum excerpt, with a brief introduction on four-stroke ruffs.

Finn

Finn’s Otherside is coming together super well, now playing the rhythm and the pattern fairly accurate. We spent most of the class connecting the main chorus pattern with the fill that ends the section. Next I introduced him to the Bridge pattern on page 2. I assigned the right hand to play all the floor tom notes with left hand doing everything else. By remembering that, it minimises any unnecessary movements.