May 9, 2024

Rhythm

Improvise your own rhythm on 4-part Lap Map

Do 4-parts rhythm the “old way”: tap only on beat 1 with LH, and whisper on the dots

If you make a mistake, finish the rhythms and then think back as to which Cause of Error it was:

The 3 Causes of Error:

1. Reaction: we are taken by surprise by something, either in the music or some distraction outside of us. Solution: accept that anything can happen while you play, and get back into Eagle Vision

2. Anticipation: This has two forms: Daydreaming, and Worrying about a section coming up. Solution: Get in Eagle Vision

3. Looking Back: You feel the need to look back, or go back and redo something. A lot of times you are talking to yourself (this is the “Bad Coach”). Solution: tell the coach to “get out of the pool” and get yourself back into Eagle Vision.

Technique

Catch Me p. 21

  • For the hand position, always read the first note in each hand
  • wait until LH plays middle C before the RH jumps up the octave

Theory

Do p. 33

Lessons

Learn Come See the Parade p. 50-51

  • count out loud every time you play, especially the first few times you ever play the songs
  • focus on keeping each finger curved while keeping your wrist level with the floor
  • Read the first note in each hand to figure out hand position

Performance

Learn the Opposite Song p. 19

  • count out loud every time you play
  • keep fingers curved with level wrist
  • look at the first note in each hand to figure out hand position

Sacred Music Competition

Bullfrog Blues

  • Practice playing from the last star to the end, then go back to the next star and play to the end, etc.
  • count quietly to yourself – don’t speed up at the bottom of the first page
  • Play the last notes in RH p

Mystic Flute

  • Practice playing from the last star to the end, then go back to the next star and play to the end, etc.
  • Count quietly to yourself – don’t speed up at the top of the 2nd page
  • Play softly throughout

For the recital on May 11, learn The Second Star to the Right to sing with everyone at the end: The Second Star to the Right

you can listen to the piano part to practice with (don’t sing the solo part)