Hello Everyone!
We have been a very busy class over the last two weeks. We have learned more about notes that go higher and higher and notes that go lower and lower. We have started using all of the fingers on our right hand to play the piano. This is called right hand middle C position. Everyone in the class did fabulous with their hand positions! And everyone could tell me what every note was under each finger. I was very impressed!
Home Assignments
1. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should review notes that go higher and lower above and below middle C. Ask them to start at middle C, play a medium high note, and a very high note, then come back down in the same fashion to middle C. Ask them to do the same thing with the lower notes. If there is no keyboard, try singing a middle note, a medium high note, and a really high note. Try the same thing with the lower notes.
2. Have the children tell you their finger numbers on the right hand. The thumb is 1, pointer 2, and so on in that fashion for both hands. If there is a keyboard at home, ask them to place first their right hand in middle C position. The side of the thumb should be on the middle C with all the tips of the fingers on the 4 notes above middle C. There should be a nice curve in the fingers, so there is a tunnel for an ant to crawl underneath them.
If anyone has any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact me.
The last class for this semester is in two weeks (Dec. 12), and I would like to invite the parents to an open class where the children will show you what they have learned about music. Please contact me if you are interested.
Please excuse the error which occurred with scheduling this past week. There was some miscommunication and I was told not to run the program due to parent teacher night, and told not to contact the parents as we were told you were all informed.. My most humble apologies, and I will see to it that this does not happen again.
See you next week!
Laura
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Owen Public School, Wednesday Nov. 28 (3:50 - 4:50)
Hello Everyone!
We have been a very busy class over the last two weeks. We have learned more about notes that go higher and higher and notes that go lower and lower. We have started using all of the fingers on our right hand to play the piano. This is called right hand middle C position. Everyone in the class did fabulous with their hand positions! And everyone could tell me what every note was under each finger. I was very impressed!
Home Assignments
Primary Students
1. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should review notes that go higher and lower above and below middle C. Ask them to start at middle C, play a medium high note, and a very high note, then come back down in the same fashion to middle C. Ask them to do the same thing with the lower notes. If there is no keyboard, try singing a middle note, a medium high note, and a really high note. Try the same thing with the lower notes.
2. Have the children tell you their finger numbers on the right hand. The thumb is 1, pointer 2, and so on in that fashion for both hands. If there is a keyboard at home, ask them to place first their right hand in middle C position. The side of the thumb should be on the middle C with all the tips of the fingers on the 4 notes above middle C. There should be a nice curve in the fingers, so there is a tunnel for an ant to crawl underneath them.
If anyone has any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact me.
*************************************************************************************
Senior Students
Willow has been absent during the last two classes, and will need to do some serious catching up during the last two weeks of this semester. During the last class, Willow and Neha will have a small test to review what we have covered this semester.
Neha and I covered a lot in the last two weeks. We learned about pieces written with Theme and Variations which is when a motive is played or sang in a song, and is used as the main theme throughout and is variated using different keys, rhythms, notes, etc. We listened to Anton Dvorak's New World Symphony (Largo) for an example of Theme & Variations. We learned about left hand scales and scales using both hands at the same time, in contrary motion. We also learned about skips and steps in music, which are called intervals. Neha was able to show me 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, 7ths, and octaves on the keyboard. She was also able to tell me every note on the grand staff and define all rests and note values. We also touched on time signatures other than 4/4 (3/4, 2/4, etc).
Home Assignments
1. Practice C major scale in contrary motion (12312345 on both hands), concentrating on thumb tuck.
2. Practice all intervals (2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, 7ths, & Octaves (8ths)).
3. Bring a piece of classical music that you think is a good example of theme and variations (if you can).
4. Print and practice the piece attached to this post.
************************************************************************************
The last class for this semester is in two weeks (Dec. 12), and I would like to invite the parents to an open class where the children will show you what they have learned about music. The showcase will run from 4:25 to 4:50 to allow room for the older children to write their tests. Please contact me if you are interested.
See you next week!
Laura
We have been a very busy class over the last two weeks. We have learned more about notes that go higher and higher and notes that go lower and lower. We have started using all of the fingers on our right hand to play the piano. This is called right hand middle C position. Everyone in the class did fabulous with their hand positions! And everyone could tell me what every note was under each finger. I was very impressed!
Home Assignments
Primary Students
1. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should review notes that go higher and lower above and below middle C. Ask them to start at middle C, play a medium high note, and a very high note, then come back down in the same fashion to middle C. Ask them to do the same thing with the lower notes. If there is no keyboard, try singing a middle note, a medium high note, and a really high note. Try the same thing with the lower notes.
2. Have the children tell you their finger numbers on the right hand. The thumb is 1, pointer 2, and so on in that fashion for both hands. If there is a keyboard at home, ask them to place first their right hand in middle C position. The side of the thumb should be on the middle C with all the tips of the fingers on the 4 notes above middle C. There should be a nice curve in the fingers, so there is a tunnel for an ant to crawl underneath them.
If anyone has any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact me.
*************************************************************************************
Senior Students
Willow has been absent during the last two classes, and will need to do some serious catching up during the last two weeks of this semester. During the last class, Willow and Neha will have a small test to review what we have covered this semester.
Neha and I covered a lot in the last two weeks. We learned about pieces written with Theme and Variations which is when a motive is played or sang in a song, and is used as the main theme throughout and is variated using different keys, rhythms, notes, etc. We listened to Anton Dvorak's New World Symphony (Largo) for an example of Theme & Variations. We learned about left hand scales and scales using both hands at the same time, in contrary motion. We also learned about skips and steps in music, which are called intervals. Neha was able to show me 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, 7ths, and octaves on the keyboard. She was also able to tell me every note on the grand staff and define all rests and note values. We also touched on time signatures other than 4/4 (3/4, 2/4, etc).
Home Assignments
1. Practice C major scale in contrary motion (12312345 on both hands), concentrating on thumb tuck.
2. Practice all intervals (2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, 7ths, & Octaves (8ths)).
3. Bring a piece of classical music that you think is a good example of theme and variations (if you can).
4. Print and practice the piece attached to this post.
************************************************************************************
The last class for this semester is in two weeks (Dec. 12), and I would like to invite the parents to an open class where the children will show you what they have learned about music. The showcase will run from 4:25 to 4:50 to allow room for the older children to write their tests. Please contact me if you are interested.
See you next week!
Laura
Owen Public School, Wednesday Nov. 28 (12:05 - 12:45)
Hello Everyone!
We have been a very busy class over the last two weeks. We have learned more about notes that go higher and higher and notes that go lower and lower. We have started using all of the fingers on our right hand to play the piano. This is called right hand middle C position. One problem we had was that some of the children's fingers were too small to press down the notes properly, but it will get easier with practice.
Home Assignments
1. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should review notes that go higher and lower above and below middle C. Ask them to start at middle C, play a medium high note, and a very high note, then come back down in the same fashion to middle C. Ask them to do the same thing with the lower notes. If there is no keyboard, try singing a middle note, a medium high note, and a really high note. Try the same thing with the lower notes.
2. Have the children tell you their finger numbers on the right hand. The thumb is 1, pointer 2, and so on in that fashion for both hands. If there is a keyboard at home, ask them to place first their right hand in middle C position. The side of the thumb should be on the middle C with all the tips of the fingers on the 4 notes above middle C. There should be a nice curve in the fingers, so there is a tunnel for an ant to crawl underneath them.
If anyone has any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact me.
The last class for this semester is in two weeks (Dec. 12), and I would like to invite the parents to an open class where the children will show you what they have learned about music. Coming at lunch may be a stretch, but you are welcome if you can make it. Alternatively, I will be conducting the same class at 3:50 to 4:50 with the parents of the children in the afternoon class. If you would like to bring yourselves and your children to the afternoon class additionally, that would be great. Please contact me if you are interested.
See you next week!
Laura
We have been a very busy class over the last two weeks. We have learned more about notes that go higher and higher and notes that go lower and lower. We have started using all of the fingers on our right hand to play the piano. This is called right hand middle C position. One problem we had was that some of the children's fingers were too small to press down the notes properly, but it will get easier with practice.
Home Assignments
1. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should review notes that go higher and lower above and below middle C. Ask them to start at middle C, play a medium high note, and a very high note, then come back down in the same fashion to middle C. Ask them to do the same thing with the lower notes. If there is no keyboard, try singing a middle note, a medium high note, and a really high note. Try the same thing with the lower notes.
2. Have the children tell you their finger numbers on the right hand. The thumb is 1, pointer 2, and so on in that fashion for both hands. If there is a keyboard at home, ask them to place first their right hand in middle C position. The side of the thumb should be on the middle C with all the tips of the fingers on the 4 notes above middle C. There should be a nice curve in the fingers, so there is a tunnel for an ant to crawl underneath them.
If anyone has any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact me.
The last class for this semester is in two weeks (Dec. 12), and I would like to invite the parents to an open class where the children will show you what they have learned about music. Coming at lunch may be a stretch, but you are welcome if you can make it. Alternatively, I will be conducting the same class at 3:50 to 4:50 with the parents of the children in the afternoon class. If you would like to bring yourselves and your children to the afternoon class additionally, that would be great. Please contact me if you are interested.
See you next week!
Laura
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Rolph Road Public School, Tuesday Nov. 27 (3:40 - 4:40)
Hello Everyone!
We have been a very busy class over the last two weeks. We have learned more about notes that go higher and higher and notes that go lower and lower. We have started using all of our fingers to play the piano, and from now on will use both our right and left hands for the higher notes and lower notes on the piano respectively. This is called right and left hand middle C position. One problem we had was that some of the children's fingers were too small to press down the notes properly, but it will get easier with practice.
Home Assignments
1. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should review notes that go higher and lower above and below middle C. Ask them to start at middle C, play a medium high note, and a very high note, then come back down in the same fashion to middle C. Ask them to do the same thing with the lower notes. If there is no keyboard, try singing a middle note, a medium high note, and a really high note. Try the same thing with the lower notes.
2. Have the children tell you their finger numbers. The thumb is 1, pointer 2, and so on in that fashion for both hands. If there is a keyboard at home, ask them to place first their right hand in middle C position, then their left hand. The side of the thumb should be on the middle C with all the tips of the fingers on the 4 notes above and below middles C. There should be a nice curve in the fingers, so there is a tunnel for an ant to crawl underneath them.
If anyone has any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact me.
The last class for this semester is next week, and I would like to invite the parents to an open class where the children will show you what they have learned about music. I will have them teach you some of what they have learned on the keyboards and about the history of music. They will also challenge you to a drumming competition like we did in class. If you know of anyone else who would be interested in the program and would like to attend the open class, they are welcome to attend, as well as any of your children's friends who might be interested. Please contact me if there are any questions.
In order to participate in the program which resumes in January 2008, you will need to sign up again at www.musiqclub.com. If there are any questions regarding this, please contact the Program Director, Dan Lang at danlang@musiqclub.com or 416.488.1838.
See you all next week!
-Laura
We have been a very busy class over the last two weeks. We have learned more about notes that go higher and higher and notes that go lower and lower. We have started using all of our fingers to play the piano, and from now on will use both our right and left hands for the higher notes and lower notes on the piano respectively. This is called right and left hand middle C position. One problem we had was that some of the children's fingers were too small to press down the notes properly, but it will get easier with practice.
Home Assignments
1. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should review notes that go higher and lower above and below middle C. Ask them to start at middle C, play a medium high note, and a very high note, then come back down in the same fashion to middle C. Ask them to do the same thing with the lower notes. If there is no keyboard, try singing a middle note, a medium high note, and a really high note. Try the same thing with the lower notes.
2. Have the children tell you their finger numbers. The thumb is 1, pointer 2, and so on in that fashion for both hands. If there is a keyboard at home, ask them to place first their right hand in middle C position, then their left hand. The side of the thumb should be on the middle C with all the tips of the fingers on the 4 notes above and below middles C. There should be a nice curve in the fingers, so there is a tunnel for an ant to crawl underneath them.
If anyone has any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact me.
The last class for this semester is next week, and I would like to invite the parents to an open class where the children will show you what they have learned about music. I will have them teach you some of what they have learned on the keyboards and about the history of music. They will also challenge you to a drumming competition like we did in class. If you know of anyone else who would be interested in the program and would like to attend the open class, they are welcome to attend, as well as any of your children's friends who might be interested. Please contact me if there are any questions.
In order to participate in the program which resumes in January 2008, you will need to sign up again at www.musiqclub.com. If there are any questions regarding this, please contact the Program Director, Dan Lang at danlang@musiqclub.com or 416.488.1838.
See you all next week!
-Laura
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Blessed Sacrament, Thursday Nov. 15 (3:15 - 4:15)
We had a great first class together today! We learned about Double Notes, which is when you play two notes at the same time, one high and one low. We learned about Staccato, which refers to music that is short and bouncy, and Legato, which refers to music that is smooth and connected. We also learned about notes that go higher and higher above middle C and notes that go lower and lower below middle C. We even had a little drumming competition on Djembe Drums.
Home Assignments
1. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should review notes that go higher and lower above and below middle C. Ask them to start at middle C, play a medium high note, and a very high note, then come back down in the same fashion to middle C. Ask them to do the same thing with the lower notes. If there is no keyboard, try singing a middle note, a medium high note, and a really high note. Try the same thing with the lower notes.
2. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should try and practice double notes, playing them in a staccato fashion and legato fashion. If there is no keyboard, this exercise can be sung. Try singing Mary Had a Little Lamb staccato and legato.
3. If there is a keyboard at home, practice Group of Two, Down to C, where the children find the groups of two black keys and the white key at the bottom is the C.
I would like to take this oppourtunity to introduce myself. I am the new MusIQ Teacher for Blessed Sacrament Catholic School. Cathy Miller, the previous teacher, had to leave unfortunately and I am taking over for the remainder of the semester and for next semester. I am teaching three other MusIQ classes in two other schools in the TDSB. It is a joy for me to teach music to children using this innovative and excellent program. I will be updating this blog each week after class with information about the class progress and home assignments. I look forward to meeting you all over the next few weeks, and feel free to contact me at anytime if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.
Thanks!
See you next week!
-Laura
Home Assignments
1. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should review notes that go higher and lower above and below middle C. Ask them to start at middle C, play a medium high note, and a very high note, then come back down in the same fashion to middle C. Ask them to do the same thing with the lower notes. If there is no keyboard, try singing a middle note, a medium high note, and a really high note. Try the same thing with the lower notes.
2. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should try and practice double notes, playing them in a staccato fashion and legato fashion. If there is no keyboard, this exercise can be sung. Try singing Mary Had a Little Lamb staccato and legato.
3. If there is a keyboard at home, practice Group of Two, Down to C, where the children find the groups of two black keys and the white key at the bottom is the C.
I would like to take this oppourtunity to introduce myself. I am the new MusIQ Teacher for Blessed Sacrament Catholic School. Cathy Miller, the previous teacher, had to leave unfortunately and I am taking over for the remainder of the semester and for next semester. I am teaching three other MusIQ classes in two other schools in the TDSB. It is a joy for me to teach music to children using this innovative and excellent program. I will be updating this blog each week after class with information about the class progress and home assignments. I look forward to meeting you all over the next few weeks, and feel free to contact me at anytime if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.
Thanks!
See you next week!
-Laura
Owen Public School, Wednesday Nov. 14 (3:50 - 4:50)
Hello everyone!
We have had great classes these last two weeks. We had a drumming competition last week with Djembe Drums and everyone had a lot of fun and did very well! We learned more about holding notes for 1, 2, 3, and 4 beats. We learned to clap rhythms on our hands within 4 beats phrases. When we hold notes in our 4 beat phrases, we dip our hands on each held beat. So if we are counting 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +, if we clap and hold the first two notes, we would dip our hands on the second beat to to show that we still know where the beat is and how many have gone by. We learned about Staccato, which refers to music that is short and bouncy, and Legato, which refers to music that is smooth and connected. We have learned about Double Notes, which is when you play two notes at the same time, one high and one low
Home Assignments
Primary Students
1. If there is a keyboard at home, review "Group of 2, Down to C" up and down the piano,
finding all the C's.
2. Practice holding notes as I described above. If there are any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
3. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should try and practice double notes, playing them in a staccato fashion and legato fashion. If there is no keyboard, this exercise can be sung. Try singing Mary Had a Little Lamb staccato and legato.
Willow and Neha have learned about playing a C major scale, musical rests, the Bass Clef (F Clef), and in class this week we played Old Grey Goose. Both girls need to practice A Tisket, A Tasket again this week. It is very important to bring the music to every class. The girls need to look one note ahead while they are practicing so they don't get lost. Remember proper hand position and all your rhythms!
Home Assignments
Willow & Neha
1. Practice C Major scale fingering, paying special attention to the thumb tuck. Fingering is 12312345 with the thumb tuck occurring after the third finger plays the note E. The thumb is curved underneath to play the F. In class we practiced 12341234 for scale fingering to work up our thumb tuck. Let the girls know that they can switch to the new fingering now.
2. Practice A Tisket, A Tasket, paying special attention to both notes and rhythms. Please remind the girls to bring their music to class.
3. Review whole rests, half rests, quarter rests and eighth rests. Also review whole notes, half notes, quarter notes and eighth notes. The girls will be tested on this information during the last class in December, so it is very important for them to review and remember.
-Laura
We have had great classes these last two weeks. We had a drumming competition last week with Djembe Drums and everyone had a lot of fun and did very well! We learned more about holding notes for 1, 2, 3, and 4 beats. We learned to clap rhythms on our hands within 4 beats phrases. When we hold notes in our 4 beat phrases, we dip our hands on each held beat. So if we are counting 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +, if we clap and hold the first two notes, we would dip our hands on the second beat to to show that we still know where the beat is and how many have gone by. We learned about Staccato, which refers to music that is short and bouncy, and Legato, which refers to music that is smooth and connected. We have learned about Double Notes, which is when you play two notes at the same time, one high and one low
Home Assignments
Primary Students
1. If there is a keyboard at home, review "Group of 2, Down to C" up and down the piano,
finding all the C's.
2. Practice holding notes as I described above. If there are any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
3. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should try and practice double notes, playing them in a staccato fashion and legato fashion. If there is no keyboard, this exercise can be sung. Try singing Mary Had a Little Lamb staccato and legato.
************************************************************************************
Willow and Neha have learned about playing a C major scale, musical rests, the Bass Clef (F Clef), and in class this week we played Old Grey Goose. Both girls need to practice A Tisket, A Tasket again this week. It is very important to bring the music to every class. The girls need to look one note ahead while they are practicing so they don't get lost. Remember proper hand position and all your rhythms!
Home Assignments
Willow & Neha
1. Practice C Major scale fingering, paying special attention to the thumb tuck. Fingering is 12312345 with the thumb tuck occurring after the third finger plays the note E. The thumb is curved underneath to play the F. In class we practiced 12341234 for scale fingering to work up our thumb tuck. Let the girls know that they can switch to the new fingering now.
2. Practice A Tisket, A Tasket, paying special attention to both notes and rhythms. Please remind the girls to bring their music to class.
3. Review whole rests, half rests, quarter rests and eighth rests. Also review whole notes, half notes, quarter notes and eighth notes. The girls will be tested on this information during the last class in December, so it is very important for them to review and remember.
- Whole Notes & Rests - 4 beats in a 4/4 bar (4/4) -
- Half Notes & Rests - 2 beats in a 4/4 bar (2/4) -
- Quarter Notes & Rests - 1 beat in a 4/4/ bar (1/4) -
- Eighth Notes & Rests - 1/2 of a beat in a 4/4 bar (1/8) -
See you next week!- Half Notes & Rests - 2 beats in a 4/4 bar (2/4) -
- Quarter Notes & Rests - 1 beat in a 4/4/ bar (1/4) -
- Eighth Notes & Rests - 1/2 of a beat in a 4/4 bar (1/8) -
-Laura
Owen Public School, Wednesday Nov. 14 (12:05 - 12:45)
Hello everyone!
We have had great classes these last two weeks. We had a drumming competition last week with Djembe Drums and everyone had a lot of fun and did very well! We learned more about holding notes for 1, 2, 3, and 4 beats. We learned to clap rhythms on our hands within 4 beats phrases. When we hold notes in our 4 beat phrases, we dip our hands on each held beat. So if we are counting 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +, if we clap and hold the first two notes, we would dip our hands on the second beat to to show that we still know where the beat is and how many have gone by. We learned about Staccato, which refers to music that is short and bouncy, and Legato, which refers to music that is smooth and connected. We have learned about Double Notes, which is when you play two notes at the same time, one high and one low
Home Assignments
1. If there is a keyboard at home, review "Group of 2, Down to C" up and down the piano,
finding all the C's.
2. Practice holding notes as I described above. If there are any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
3. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should try and practice double notes, playing them in a staccato fashion and legato fashion. If there is no keyboard, this exercise can be sung. Try singing Mary Had a Little Lamb staccato and legato.
See you next week!
- Laura
We have had great classes these last two weeks. We had a drumming competition last week with Djembe Drums and everyone had a lot of fun and did very well! We learned more about holding notes for 1, 2, 3, and 4 beats. We learned to clap rhythms on our hands within 4 beats phrases. When we hold notes in our 4 beat phrases, we dip our hands on each held beat. So if we are counting 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +, if we clap and hold the first two notes, we would dip our hands on the second beat to to show that we still know where the beat is and how many have gone by. We learned about Staccato, which refers to music that is short and bouncy, and Legato, which refers to music that is smooth and connected. We have learned about Double Notes, which is when you play two notes at the same time, one high and one low
Home Assignments
1. If there is a keyboard at home, review "Group of 2, Down to C" up and down the piano,
finding all the C's.
2. Practice holding notes as I described above. If there are any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
3. If there is a keyboard at home, the children should try and practice double notes, playing them in a staccato fashion and legato fashion. If there is no keyboard, this exercise can be sung. Try singing Mary Had a Little Lamb staccato and legato.
See you next week!
- Laura
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