Hello Everyone!

Great work all around this week!

Georgia:

This week we reviewed time signatures, note values, and rhythms. Please have Georgia fill out page 21 in her Alfred’s Method book for homework. We will correct this next week. We also discussed how the staff is continuous from the bottom line of the bass clef to the top space of the treble clef. When practicing Purple Cow, if Georgia is confused about which notes are where, please remind her that the notes written in the treble clef are all above middle C on the piano while the notes in the bass clef are below middle C on the piano. Georgia should review the notes for Purple Cow hands separate and then slowly try playing the song hands together. When playing hands together please remind her that the rhythm in the right hand is slower than she thinks it is. 

Noreet:

Today we reviewed I am The King. When practicing this song at home, please help Noreet by reminding her to start the song with the 5th finger of her left hand on G as this song is played in G position. Noreet should practice playing this song hands together while being mindful of the rhythm of the song. If there is a bar or a phrase she struggles with while practicing this week, remind her to slow down and count out loud to help her hear where the shorter or longer notes fit in the song. Noreet can also review Ode to Joy. Please help her when practicing this song by reminding her that the right hand of the 5th phrase should be played an octave higher than the rest of the song. 

Eva:

Eva has a new notebook specifically for the notes in “Young Hunter”. Please have her answer the questions in the book and bring it back next week so that we can correct it together. We also reviewed Classic Dance and staccato playing. When practicing Classic Dance, please help Eva with the last 2 bars of the first and third phrase by reminding her that she needs to use the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd fingers of both hands to play the notes. These two bars should also be played staccato. Feel free to try the duet this week to encourage Eva to practice. 

Benji:

Today we reviewed The Haunted Mouse. Benji can confidently play all the notes in this song. I have added numbers above some notes in a few phrases. These numbers refer to Benji’s fingers! When practicing this week please ensure Benji uses the correct fingerings as labelled to play the song. (1 is Benji’s thumb, 2 is his index finger ect..). I’ve also highlighted the first two bars of The Haunted Mouse to help Benji visualize the rhythm. The first note of the song is an A played by Benji’s right hand. Benji has to hold this note for 4 beats. However, the phrase in the right hand starts on beat 2. So these sounds should overlap – while Benji plays the A in the left hand for 4 beats, he should also play the quarter notes at the same time. Refer to the highlighted bars in the music to see how these phrases fit together. 

Clara:

Today Clara learned that Dominant 7th chords are built on a Major 3rd, Perfect 5th, and minor 7th. There is a dominant 7th chord in the first bar of the second phrase of the song Clara is working on. Together we analyzed most of the chords in the song, identifying and labeling them so that Clara understands which chord she is playing when, and the function the chord plays in the song. This week Clara should practice playing the song hands separately so that she can focus on building the chords she sees in the music. You can help reinforce some of the concepts that we discussed in class by asking her to name the chords she is playing. 

Andrew:

When practicing this week try warming up with a lip roll! Remember this technique is focused on air flow. While making the buzzing sound with your lips (you can press your cheeks together with your hands if this helps you create that sound) think of saying “oo” while breathing out. You can also warm up with a hum before trying some vowels. Refer to your voice recording for scales to practice. When practicing Empty Chairs this week, try singing the 5th verse on “V-Aye”. (Refer to recording if necessary). Use this exercise to focus on brightness in your tone and an openness in the palate. Practice the 3rd verse on a light and airy “oo” to help track the air support needed to sing the higher parts. If you can successfully do the lip rolls, use this technique for the whole song to train the air support needed. Remember to breathe and if you feel light headed take a break!

Thank you everyone!

I’m looking forward to our last few classes before the winter break!