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
0 comments:
Post a Comment