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